TRIBUTE TO SMOKEY THE CAT.
It was in the spring of 1992, early on a Sunday afternoon. I was about to make lunch when I heard a knock on the side door of my home. When I opened the door, four young children were standing on the porch with a small kitten in one of the children’s hands. I asked, “what can I do for you kids?” They replied with one voice, “would you like to have a kitten mister?”
I looked at them, smiled and asked, “where did you kids get him?” Again with one voice, they replied, “his mother was run over by a car, and this is the last kitten left.” I thought, how ironic. The day before on a Saturday afternoon after working half a day, I decided to look for a sign giving away free kittens. Being springtime there were usually a few households that advertised free kittens. After driving for about an hour, I found none, so I went home. The next day one was brought to my door.
The kitten was small and had not yet been weaned. He was light beige, smokey in color, having a few stripes here and there. I saw a bit of siamese and other mix in him. He was cute,I wanted a cat, so I told the kids,
“O.K. I’ll take him.”
Smokey turned out to be a good cat and a better companion. He became very attached to me, and I to him. We looked to each other for certain needs, he knowing that I would be there for him, and he for me. He had great manners in that he never jumped on the kitchen counter tops, the beds, or furniture. He used his litter box on rainy or cold winter days, but normally he used the woods for his privacy. He loved the outdoors and the areas close to the house. He never went after birds, nor did he bring dead animals into the house. Smokey must have had an inner instinct about the dangers of going too far into the woods, so normally he just stayed around the yard, or lay on one of the two porches. Smokey carved out a small unapproachable territory against other cats which he defended with darting attacks, much vocal growling and hissing.
On weekdays I would put him out before I left for work, and would find him waiting for me on the stairs when I arrived home. He rarely crossed the road, was extremely independent, and only needed a few moments of my personal time every day. Now and then Smokey would want to sit on my lap and be petted, but usually if I just stood still for a few moments he would rub against me and be satisfied. When I went on vacation, Mr. Sizemore, my neighbor, would take care of him. Upon my return from a vacation, Smokey would meow for an hour or so and stay by my side until he was sure I was going to stay around.
Smokey was brave, strong, yard smart, and knew when to be a coward. When it came to dogs, if Smokey knew that I was behind him .he would stand up to a dog. He would look at the dog, turn, look at me, and then go after the dog, knowing I was right behind him. Of course when the dogs saw me, they would run. Smokey would now take all the credit for defending the household. He would come back with his back bristled, tail up, and having a kind of smirk on his face, as if to say, “hay boss what do you think of that? I made that dog eat dust.” Other things I liked about Smokey were that he always seemed to be smiling, rarely got sick, and was easy to please.
Four years ago we moved to a new house and it took him about a month to get over the move. Smokey hated being put into his moving cage and had a fear of being placed into a car. But soon after moving, the adjustment was made to the country setting, the woods, and new surroundings. Smokey now had a new territory to defend.always watching for stray cats, dogs, foxes, and a few coyotes.
When Smokey turned 11, two dogs jumped him near the car where he was napping and it was fortunate that I was home. The dogs were smart, one approached him from the front, the other from behind. The predators did hurt Smokey somewhat, but scared him even more. From that point on, I saw a fear in him that he had never shown before. It changed Smokey inside, he now showed fear, and never strayed far from the house close to the house. Over the years, he had broken off three of the four front fangs on various skirmishes,and that concerned me as far as his being able to defend himself.
Now 13 and getting a bit slower, Smokey’s aggression was beginning to wain, and he stayed closer to the house, only venturing away when I was around. Sensing a new danger around the area, Smokey became extremely cautious outdoors, creeping by way of the back porch above the woods. Looking near and far, walking cautiously before venturing into the yard my pet seemed to sense a new danger, unknown to me.
A month before I had seen two coyotes walking along the road in the early evening. These dogs were young, medium size, no more than two years old, and seemed fearless about oncoming cars or people. I didn’t think much of it and drove home. The other night about 9 P.M. Smokey was outside so I thought to bring him inside. He was lying on the front porch stairs when I called to him. Smokey yawned, and remained where he was, making it clear to me that he wanted to stay out a bit longer.
It was a clear night, and I was going to be up for another hour, so I left him. It was a few minutes after ten, when I turned off the T.V., heard a racket, and two high pitched barks. I ran to the front door, and saw two dogs chasing Smokey toward the woods. I yelled, he turned, and all three went tumbled into the woods. I grabbed my flashlight and ventured to the edge of the woods. I could hear the dogs bark every now and then, moving about 100 yards off. I tried to scare them off by yelling, and throwing stones toward the sound of their voices. I had no luck in finding them or smokey. At 11, 1, and 3 o’clock the dogs were still there, letting out a bark every now and then.
At five I went into the woods and found nothing. I checked again later and found nothing. It’s been 3 days now so I assumed my buddy was gone. I missed him greatly, but he had a good life, and went down fighting. I enjoyed Smokey tremendously.
The reason for this article.
After a few days of thinking about what had happened and to the relationship I had to this animal, I saw many similarities and parallels in our relationship to the Lord. As loyal as an animal is to the person who feeds and watches over him, we as Christians should follow in the same simple example. How many of look to the Lord for selfish reasons? Many are loyal only when it’s convenient. Do we camouflage our actions to others, giving false impressions of our Christian faith? We are not sincere at best, and many are dishonest for the most part. How much more can each of us do to show our love, our friendship, our loyality to Christ Jesus?
When Smokey confronted a dog, he looked for me for support. When the enemies of Christ bear their fangs, attacking us from all sides, we need to know, understand and have full confidence that our Lord is standing along side, behind and in front carving out a path of victory, for each and every one of us. He is our Captain in battle.
Smokey seemed to have a certain respect for my home, and for my things. He understood his area of comfort and domain, and rarely did he ever intrude or infringe on that which belonged to me. Before he entered any room, he would meow before he entered. In this, I believe he showed respect. So also like Smokey, do we need to have a greater respect for the things and places we frequent, places the Lord may or may not desire us to be. After all, the earth and all therein are His, and His desires for us are to be safe, productive, and to lead a holy life.
I believe that most animals in their own way believe that it’s up to them to watch, protect, and if necessary die for what they believe to be theirs. Smokey let his guard down this one time. It was a dark evening, our Creator gave him the ability to see at night, but like many of us, he closed his eyes to rest and the enemy struck. The result, he lost his life.
As Christians, we are to stay alert, keeping and protecting our brothers and sisters from the enemies of Christ. Adam fell, Cain fell, Saul, Judas as well as many others. We are to remain alert and to stand firm on the gospel message, we cannot afford to fall asleep. Are you keeping a close watch, guarding against those who wish to destroy us? Are you ready to sound an alarm? How much are you willing to sacrifice in order to protect all that is called Christian? What are you willing to do in order to save the spirit and souls of others? We all need to examine our inner most feeling and the actions we take concerning these things. If doubt arises, if nothing is on your lips, than you need to re-examine what it is you believe, your approach and why you believe as you believe. After all, it’s your eternity. Don’t leave this life having doubt as to whether the relationship you have with Jesus Christ is strained, questionable, lukewarm, or for many, almost non-existent. The consequences will be tragic, and long lasting. Smokey was loyal, and a good friend. Are you loyal, and a friend of Christ Jesus?
Phil LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com