Psalm 104:27-28 These all look to you, to give them their food in due season. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
1 Corinthians 13:4,7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Ferocity, not Tenderness and love, usually comes to mind when I think of tigers versus bobcats. But just because beings are different, doesn’t mean love can’t flourish.
Prides of the cat families usually are often thought of as lions but our pride includes a house cat who thinks he’s a lion, a dog and a two legged creatures as the the “daddy cat” or “old tiger” as he calls himself.
yes, in our family’s pride I will share the loving relationship between two different but exceptionally tender and loving beings, one with 2 legs and one with 4, who truly gave their hearts to each other. The old tiger, Roger, has led the pride.. The other is our Blake, the feisty but dear tuxedo kitty named Bobcat for his manner of drinking, who would have been 21 on his next birthday.
God creates all animals for the use of mankind (Genesis 1:28; 9:3), but he expects us to respect and care for those resources, not to abuse them.
A godly perspective on all creation naturally leads to respect for all creatures. Psalm 104:27-28 All (creatures) all look to you, to give them their food in due season. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
This Biblical truth lives to the full with our old tiger and bobcat who lived 19 years with his pride…from the time we got him 10 pounds of feistiness and confidence in his role in life. In charge of his staff.
Blake, a small shorthair cat with an appetite, a big attitude, no claws and big teeth. If he wakes up early, hungry, he will catch the first human out of the bedroom with a set of teeth marks on the ankle which means, feed me, please. He loves food and is constantly in search of it. Also, he loves attention and people. At the humane society he was a greeter cat who came up to meow at everyone who came into the cat room to visit.
His staff came with gentle Buddy, our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel mix dog, whom Blake could command without a hint of a growl or hiss. Blake would prowl into the room, looking right at Buddy, and give a clear, piercing “meow”. Blake “Bobcat” Smith-Davis-Cat would then turn around and, as expected, his brother would immediately get up and follow Blake as directed. He was not the dominant animal with Rascal (another one of our dogs).
Blake always loved fresh hamburger, cat treats, chicken, lap sitting, laser toys, string, and having his tummy-tickled and brushed by girls, specifically. He guards our house, loves to chase small creatures with Rascal and makes us proud, most of the time.
Always determined to find his prey, Blake tried to escape to the outside world now and again. But countless times was chased back inside (and sometimes gently pulled by the ear) by his younger brother Rascal, our self-assured terrier who, even though hard to believe, has even bigger attitude and teeth.
Through the years, the old tiger has always defended and tended his pride as 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 commands us to be. “Love is patient, love is kind …7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
Roger has gently tended our kitty, especially the last year. Hour by hour, day by day after Blake was diagnosed with kidney and thyroid diseases and blockage in colon. So, Roger persevered to find a way to administer humanely the necessary medications…compounded specially by a pharmacy for Blake…Gently, multiple times a day, he would tenderly seek Blake out in his hiding places and administer medicine to Blake’s ears. Blake seemed to know that his loving friend brought help to him. Never fought the medicine. Roger would talk gently to his kitty with lots of pets and tender strokes.
Despite tiring physical illnesses of his own, Roger would never waver. For example, he would sit patiently and quietly while Blake would slowly bob for water, food and walk away but would return three or four other times while he would attempt to get enough nourishment. His stomach had shrunk a lot with his illnesses, to half his weight and couldn’t take much in.
On Blake’s last day, cleaning up for the kitty who had to be placed in his litter and couldn’t stand up but fell down in exhaustion. Whatever was needed, Roger would be there. We all would be there for our baby boy. Even his brother Rascal, who loved Blake’s food, somehow knew and often checked on his big brother.
Blake would never, ever give up. Blessing us and enjoying life. Loving his tuna and jumping up on the bed with his pride, or onto his throne. The living room window seat, he just wanted to be with those he loved, protect them, and knew that they loved him.
His tiger dad and I protected him and said goodbye holding Blake in his favorite Catnapper lounger with plenty of cuddles and pets from all of his vet Alicen, his family and friends. We will always love you, dear feisty kitty. The old tiger and I will see our beloved Bobcat-angel once again on the Rainbow Bridge
. Yet, somehow, I still sense your presence and hear your soft mee-ow asking for food. Love can lasts furr-ever. So, dear friends..each other despite, or actually because of your beautiful differences. Meow.
© 2024 Bonnie Smith-Davis
You can learn more about Blake, Buddy and Rascal in my book “Tales of Our Boys and Other Critters”.
Awakening Light 