An Unfinished Life

Boss Man

Have you ever met a cat that just seemed to stick with you, but you didn’t know why?

I first met Boss Man several weeks ago.  I walked into Catisfaction Cat Clinic to pick up some cat food and stepped into the boarding area to see who was in there.  On that day, the first kitty I saw was this orange tabby.  He looked up at me and began kneeding his bedding, purring, and talking away.  I opened the door to his kennel as he stretched his head toward me for a scratch.  He loved it.

What I didn’t know was that he was a feral.

Boss Man, as Dr. Gandy, the veterinarian treating him called him, was being regularly fed by two kind women.  They never touched him, but kept him from going hungry.  One day, they found him dragging his hind legs, unable to walk.  For the first time, they were able to get close, so they picked him up and brought him to Dr. Gandy.

For several weeks, he received whatever care he needed.  Dr. Gandy couldn’t find anything significantly wrong with him other than a large bruise on his back end.  A sling was prepared for him to help him get back on his feet:

Soon, he seemed to be much better and was wheeling himself all around the clinic.  I didn’t expect he would be there much longer and would soon be all better.

Then, just a few days ago, I was back at the clinic and was shocked when I saw him.  For unknown reasons, he had stopped eating, drinking, and had lost a lot of weight.  It was apparent that something was terribly wrong.  He had a feeding tube and was having difficulty breathing.  My heart ached.

I pulled a chair to his kennel, opened the door, and reached in and picked him up.  I just held him in my lap for a while.  As he purred, I gently stroked his fur and quietly talked to him.  He seemed to enjoy it.

Barely two days later, I got a text from Dr. Gandy.  The Boss Man was gone.

His was an unfinished life, gone but not forgotten.  He wasn’t mine, but I plan to look for him one day at the Bridge.  I hope he recognizes me.

So run free, my friend.  I don’t know much about you, but I’m glad we had a few minutes together.  Say hello to all my furry friends who got there before you.  I’ll see you all soon.

Jonny