The Sanctity of Life

Recently, my daughter, Abby, and I began studying how babies are formed in the womb. This led to a discussion on the sanctity of life and how all G-d's creatures have value. Then, a few days later, we came across this same topic in Bible study. A couple of days after that, a book we were reading discussed how everything G-d created has a purpose and that led into a discussion of how we should be good stewards of G-d's creatures. 

At this point, I believe G-d wanted to touch our hearts with a living example so He sent us an expecting stray.  Of course, this was not going to be an easy example. We could not take a cat in permanently because  we are currently living in an apartment and have a cat of our own, who happens to hate other cats. He is very territorial and refuses to learn any manners.

Our cat, Woofie

After talking with my husband, we decided to try to make friends with the cat while searching for a no-kill shelter that might take her. During the next several weeks, I called shelter after shelter, trying to find placement for her but everywhere was full. They all suggested I call Animal Control, but I knew what her end would be if I were to follow that course. I began to despair,wondering if I would ever find someone to take her in.

 I knew the one thing I could not do was to tell Abby that every one of G-d's creatures have value unless they are not wanted, as no one seemed to want this one. That is a short jump to rationalizing abortion for people. I prayed asking G-d to provide a home for this cat and her kittens and He brought someone from my hometown to mind who fosters animals until they can be adopted out. I contacted her and she agreed to take the cat in, providing I could catch her and drive her the hour to her house. 

 

Our first attempt to catch her failed. A week ago. I tried for an hour and a half to catch the cat but she wanted nothing of it. So we continued to feed her and try to make friends. We knew we had to get her before the kittens were born so they would have a chance to survive. On Wednesday, last week, when I went out to feed her, she walked up to me and began rubbing up against me. The next day, she did the same thing. I told my husband about it, and he said I should try to catch her and keep her with us until we go home next weekend. 

After doing some research online to make sure our cat would be safe, we decided to bring her in. I walked down, gave her some tuna and scooped her right up. We have a third bathroom in our apartment and I decided to put her in there. We cleaned her up and treated her for fleas and ear mites. She took it all very well as she warmed up to us completely as soon as we brought her inside. We named her Noel and she has been completely content in that bathroom for three days. Next Saturday, Noel will make the trip to her knew foster home, where she will hopefully wait to have her kittens.

The best part of all, is that Abby will always remember this lesson on the sanctity of all life and trusting G-d for even something as small as finding a home for a cat. This cat has a purpose to live out. She will be a mother and a wonderfully, loving pet for someone.