The Angel and a Cat’s Paw

My cell phone rang as I left the doctor’s office.

My husband, Norman, was calling, and he explained, “You need to come home. Mario has been injured.” He went on to say that after he had come into the house, he heard my cat crying loudly from the garage. He opened the garage door to find him hanging by his right back leg. Mario did not resist as Norman carefully removed him from the garage door. My very frisky cat had apparently jumped from the roof of my car up onto the garage door and did not get down fast enough as I remotely closed the door and left for my appointment. When I arrived home, I found Mario painfully dragging his injured leg.

At the emergency vet his leg was carefully cleaned and shaved. A deep one-inch cut revealed the tendons and bones, along with a tibial fracture.

Upon discharge I was given medications, daily dressing supplies, and instructions to have him rechecked by our vet in three days.

With Norman away on a trip, I enlisted the help of my friend Trish. First, we wrapped Mario in a blanket, leaving his injured leg exposed for me to redress; however, he resisted us every step of the way. Tears ran down my face as I removed the dressing stuck to his wound. Trish soothed me by saying, “Rose, you can do this.” This routine went on for fourteen days in an attempt to save the injured leg. One evening at ten o’clock, I found the dressing had come off his foot. I attempted to contact three friends for help. Lifting Mario and his little basket bed onto the table, I sat there and cried out to the Lord, “I need help badly, Lord. Please help me.” I stood up while stroking his little head and suddenly realized he was holding up the injured leg for me to dress. It was as if an angel helped him hold still as I redressed his wound.

As I moved his bed to its usual place for the night, my grateful tears of joy flowed freely. Despite our best efforts, we were unable to save the leg.

Due to a severe infection, an amputation became necessary if we were going to save his life. He is currently happy and healthy, whether inside, sleeping on my bed, or outside, chasing birds. I know God cares for His little creatures. He notices when the sparrow falls. But how much more He loves you and me, the ones He calls His own!

Rose Neff Sikora