Have you ever considered that all the bad news you hear on the TV and driving to work is perhaps not all that is going on? Consider this for a moment, if we can agree for the time being that most people are good and that what we hear about are the exceptions, then all the normal every day kindnesses and goodness that flows is simply not newsworthy.
I have trouble imagining Anderson Cooper reporting that Kay Heaton bought coffee for a stranger standing in line at the cafeteria. Probably not. Nevertheless I regularly perform acts of kindness for almost or complete strangers. It is just so much fun to see their faces; it’s worth more than the price of admission.
Now for the story of Taffy. Taffy is a 10 year old female tabby cat who is owned by a dear friend and colleague of mine. My friend ML became increasingly allergic over the last year and decided she must find a new home for her. The search started in April and despite significant efforts and contacting over 30 agencies and organizations no one would take a 10 year old cat, even a super nice cuddly one.
ML decided she had no choice but to put the cat to sleep but first would try one more vet who sometimes acts as an adoption agent. The date was set for last Monday, June 21. On the Friday before she told me of her plans and I knew that putting the cat down was going to be a traumatic and long lasting memorable event. For those who are not animal lovers it is hard to understand but for those of us who cherish our animals, we would go to great lengths to protect them.
I asked two other dear friends if they would search out possible homes for Taffy. My husband joined the search but by Monday, the day of execution we still didn’t have a new home for Taffy. Things started to look up when I suggested she contact the Pierrefonds Veterinary Clinic. The wonderful woman there agreed to take Taffy for three months and try to adopt her out since she had originally adopted her from there.
This was good news; at least Taffy wouldn’t be going to the gallows today! Then I received a call from Anna who said and I quote “I saved the kitty” repeatedly. The lady who works for the maintenance organization at work had agreed to give Taffy a good home. She already has one cat and a golden retriever.
ML was so relieved that Taffy would be okay and was overwhelmed by the kindness of Suzanne the lady who agreed to take Taffy and all the people who were trying to her help her and her cat. By the end of the day we had 5 homes for Taffy thanks to Maryse and Richard. Taffy was delivered into the arms of her new owner Suzanne later that night and although it was very painful to let her go, she knew she had done what was best thing for her cat and herself.
I came home with a huge smile that day. In fact I had this silly smile on my face all day. I find it inspiring and gratifying when people pull together for a common good. It happens every day in every corner of the world.
Human beings do terrible things to each other, there is no doubt about it and I’m not ignoring that but there is so much more good than we hear about. The bad does not outweigh the good, quite the opposite. I believe in the goodness of man and all we can achieve together when we give of ourselves to each other.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree, there are a lot of nice people in the world. I’m surprised you didn’t take in the cat. I took in my Tabby when a friend of mine had to get rid of it because of her allergies and could not take her allergy medicine because she was pregnant. I’m glad she did not ask for the cat back after her baby was born. He’s such a good companion and very soft and affectionate . . . now. He wasn’t at first.
Very inspirational story. I think t’s stories like these or those heart-warming ones of communities pulling together to pull a baby from a well and the like that make it so difficult to understand social discord and apathy.
When you get right down it it actually, the greatest problem is shortsighted stupidity. An act of kindness or a shred of compassion will produce greater dividends than any selfishness or avarice, no matter how you choose to look at it. Once you have felt the warmth that comes out of a compassionate act, a selfless act, committed for the sole purpose of bringing about joy and positivity, arrogance and greed not only become obsolete, they seem downright alien.
Thank you for this story. I was waiting to read this post. How is Taffy doing now? I noticed that you thanked everyone for their support in this. But you are one of the key people that deserves a pat on the back, hug, cheers and a standing ovation for this wonderful rescue. You rallied the troops on this endeavour. You didn’t stop. You did not give up. You got the word out for all to know that this dear creature was in need. You kept it up all the way until the 11th hour! It is something for which you have a strong talent. Taffy the Cat is just one of many that you have extended a gentle hand out to help, without ever being asked.
I gotta admit, I’m a fan of the Kay Way. And I will be for a long time to come.
Thank YOU, Kay. For saving Taffy and so much more!
Cheers to you!
It’s always nice to read a bit of good news considering how much horror there is out there in the world. I’m glad the cat found a home. As a cat owner myself who had to get rid of a litter of kittens, I know how hard it is to give away pets but it’s made easier when you know they’re going to a good, loving home which will take care of them.
Silent Night, thank you for such a gracious comment. Taffy is doing very well after a few days of pining for ML to come back. Suzanne’s husband is now receiving cuddles nightly and their golden retriever Tarzan and Taffy have become fast friends. Thank you for noticing that I didn’t take credit ; it was not on purpose but my pleasure was obtained from the fact that ML was relieved and Taffy was saved. As I get older, my focus is elsewhere. Thank you for your support and encouragement.
Karen & Gerald Zemek,
You know me too well. I am terribly allergic to cats. When I started to go out with Marc he had a great cat named Java. I took 3 years of allergy shots, bought $1600 of air purifiers but to no avail, I continued to be allergic. Regardless I tolerated the asthma attacks until Java died at age 16. With my pneumonia I am still wheezing and can’t in good conscience take in an animal which will send me to the hospital as much as I love animals. To find a suitable home was my only option. Fortunately we were successful.