Refuge
27 May 2022
May I tell you two stories that seem to fit together?
The first story is about Miguel’s eighty-eight years-old uncle, pictured here in 2017. He passed away a number of years back.
This gentle man never married. His youngest sister, Aurora and her husband (Miguel’s parents), lived on her brother’s property, and raised their ten children there. Aurora cooked for her brother, sent lunch to him in the fields, took care of his laundry and gave him a family life. In return he helped support the family, gave them a place to live and acted as a second father to her children. His only request: anyone who could not get along in this family unit, on his property, must leave. Truly remarkable. I met this man when I visited Miguel’s family in January 2017. His name was Refugio, which translates to “refuge or shelter”. Refugio embodied his name.
The second story is about this cat:
May 1st, 2017, was a Mexican celebrated holiday: Labor Day/May Day. Our neighborhood Mexican grocery store was observing that holiday and was closed. I was not aware of this until I arrived to an empty parking lot…empty except for a seemingly naked, odd-looking stray cat with a red twinkly collar and a man in an old red pickup who parked next to me. I spoke to the cat and to my surprise, he didn’t run away but approached me, though with some hesitation. The man in the pickup caught the little guy, and, as he handed the cat to me, he asked me if it was mine. I said no, but took the proffered cat from him anyway…in that instant the cat became my responsibility!!
While in my arms those first few moments, the cat’s body felt over-heated. He didn’t struggle against me but seemed much relieved, as he climbed into my car without hesitation. What was I to do? I had no place to keep a cat! As well, I am allergic to flea bites. I took the cat to a nearby animal hospital for scanning: no ID chip. Hospital staff checked him over briefly but said they couldn’t take him. They offered him water and he took a long, hard drink. Finally the cat began purring. Before leaving the hospital, some thoughtful person gave me a few cans of cat food. I was completely unprepared, but determined, to care for this animal until I could find a reasonable solution for him.
That night I sheltered the cat in my backyard, providing him with the donated food, water, and a comfy cushion in a cardboard box hide-out, tucked in a safe, secluded corner, off the ground. I half-expected he would disappear in the night, but he was still there in the morning.
Tearfully, I surrendered him to Yolo County Animal Services the next morning. In all the traveling around we did in my car, this intacto man-cat never complained, though once in a while he would comment to me about something. He rode quietly and confidently without a cage, was never car-sick and did not attempt escape when I opened car doors. In less than 24 hours I had fallen in love with this little guy.
After surrendering this cat, I kept tabs on him for awhile, He tested positive for FIV, but instead of euthanizing him, Yolo County Animal Services gave him the name Reymundo, and found him a new home in Yuba City. Since Reymundo tested FIV positive, he would need medications. His new human adopted him with the understanding that Reymundo would have to be an indoor cat from now on. I pray this sweet Tom-cat found his new home loving and comfortable.
With an open heart and without hesitation, I gave this stray cat refuge when he needed it.
The moral of these stories? Not sure, but bless those who give refuge, for when it is offered from the heart to those in need, it is a precious gift to he who receives AND he who gives!