Mummy and daddy said that this week was a special week as we remember all those who fought to give us the freedom we enjoy today. I tried to imagine what my life might be like if I didn’t have freedom, even when I was living on the streets I was able to do what I wanted when I wanted to. The only time I’ve known us not to be able to do what we pleased is recently when this nasty virus which meant mummy and daddy had to stay at home and couldn’t meet their friends and families. Daddy loves history so he told me all about a bad man who wanted to take over the world and was very mean about it, he killed lots of people because he didn’t like their beliefs, their way of life or their ideas and wanted them to change and follow his rules instead. Well no-one likes a bully and so some nice people around the world stood up to this mean bully and fought to keep their own way of life. This resulted in the whole world fighting some joined in with the mean bully and some on the side of the good guys and sadly many, many people died. But eventually good prevailed over evil and won and victory was declared. Therefore on that day every year we remember all of those who fought on the side of good and specially those who died whilst protecting others from the mean bullies.
I was shocked to hear such things, I knew from my time on the streets that some humans were mean to animals but I didn’t know they could be mean to other humans as well. I was even more surprised when mummy said that these fights still go on today because people argue over their differences so on this day they also remember people who have fought for those not able to stand up for themselves. Mummy’s daddy was part of this brave group of people who fought for others so on this day she thinks of him just a little bit more than any other day. Mummy said that her daddy sacrificed a lot to go and help other people and protect them, when she was a child her daddy went away for months, sometimes years at a time so missed out on her childhood. I thought mummy might be sad about this but she said to me that for her it was just normal. She said it was a bit like when I was on the streets I didn’t know that life could be different, that was until I found a different life. Mummy said she was proud of her daddy as he did a lot of things to help other people. Maybe that is why mummy and daddy have hearts big enough to fight for adopting us perfectly imperfect kitties?
I know I’m just a cat but I don’t understand how someone could make the whole world fight. If cats have a disagreement we just sort it out with a quick fight, whoever wins is the wins and everything is over and done with. Although cats can be territorial we bear no grudges, we have no hatred, we have no jealousy and we make no judgements. Obviously as everyone knows cats strive for world domination but that’s just because the way of the cat is the best way, it would be a much more peaceful and respectful world.
So on this day of remembrance whilst mummy and daddy were remembering and respecting their heroes I took some time to think about my life. As I was running around outside and free climbing trees I thought hang on, I have heroes too, I can take this day to honour them . As I thought back through my life I remembered those that worked so hard to rescue me and give me a better life, I thought about the kind humans who found, rescued and looked after me – Anna and Irina; I remembered all the people who had helped me find a furrever home Lynne at World Animal Friends; the kind people who escorted and transported me on the long, long journey from Cyprus and of course my mummy and daddy for adopting me and giving me the most amazing forever home I could ever wish for. All of these people to help little me, how amazing is that? These are my heroes.
I have the freedom to play, climb, run, eat, cuddle, hunt, sleep and love all in a safe place so on this day of remembrance I wear my poppy bandana with pride, to remember all of those who helped me but also carry on to help other cats every day.
So on this day that humans remember those who gave them their freedom I remember the humans who gave me mine.
How can I best honour my heroes I wondered, well that’s easy really, I just need to live my life to the full, explore the world as much as I can, learn new things and look after my family. I can show others all the things that I can do as a blind cat, most of which they probably think I can’t or shouldn’t be able to do, I can challenge the perception of what blind cats are so that humans don’t feel sorry for us but instead understand us and empower us. Maybe through sharing my life I can inspire someone else to open their heart and their home to a blind or other special needs cat. That would be a real tribute to my heroes.
Jenny’s Story 