by Charla Baranski
Moving to the country from the city, was one of the best decisions I had ever made. Fresh air and all the room in the world for my five babies (beautiful dogs-various shapes and sizes) to run and romp and have the best time. After all, I was a dog person, cats always seemed to have that independent personality, maybe they will let you pet them, maybe not. It all depends on them and their mood. I had acquired this attitude towards cats, due to a cat I had adopted name Galley. A beautiful 10 year old Himalyan persian that came with the house I had rented in the country. His owners did not think he would adjust to the move and did not know what to do with him, so I got Galley. Mr. Independent who likes minimal attention. Therefore, I stuck with my theory.......I am a dog person.
While at work one day I was discussing with my fellow co-worker, the downside of country life-mice in the barn. She said, "oh, you need a barn cat". I told her I was a dog person and cats do not seem to love affection like dogs. She got the funniest look on her face and said-it's just a barn cat. Put him in the barn with food and water-it won't be like a pet-it's just a barn cat. So I said ok. The next day in a box came my barn cat Bandit. He was 1 year old with beautiful Siamese Markings and was quite vocal. First glance into that box and I saw the biggest blue eyes I had ever seen. I told myself, you sure are pretty for a barn cat. But, that was the plan so off to barn he went. He stayed in the barn for about two weeks, when I awakened to the sound of dogs barking and a cat howling. I ran outside as quickly as I could. There was Bandit, cornered in the backyard like a scared rabbit. I rushed in and scooped him into my arms and ran into the house for a full inspection of injuries. His big blue eyes staring up at me as if to say thanks. He had no injuries, just some slobber and some dirt on his hair which was quickly taken care of.
What to do now? I couldn't put him back outside. What if I wasn't home and he ventured back into the backyard again. I couldn't take the chance. I would see if Bandit could adjust to being an inside cat. Did he ever adjust. It was as if he had been an indoor cat his whole life. Bandit took up with me quickly. Where ever I went-so did Bandit. I made the mistake one day of going to take a shower and I shut the bathroom door. I then heard the door begin to rattle. I looked over to see Bandit taking his little paw and trying to open the bathroom door. I let him in and he sat on the edge of the tub, the splashing water did not bother him a bit. Then every night I would say "Bandit-take a bath?" He would look up at me with those big blue eyes and race to the bathroom. Since I had always been one to sing in the shower, I made up a song for Bandit. "Who is the most beautiful cat in the world-Bandit-Bandit. I would sing that and he would wrinkle his eyes and meow as if he was singing along too. At night he would curl up beside me on his pillow and wait for his belly rub. He would turn all the way over and I would rub his belly and soon he would be fast asleep. Bandit and I had truly bonded. My entire house routine now revolved around a cat.....a barn cat at that.
One night it happened. In the middle of the night I heard Bandit darting through the house. Chasing his imaginary mice I thought, and then, a strange meow. Bandit was always vocal, but this was different. I got out of bed to find him laying strangely on the floor and meowing. I said come on Bandit let's go to bed. He didn't move. After sitting there a few minutes and watching him, he began to pull himself towards me with his front feet-but he was dragging his back legs. They were not moving. My first thought was he has sprained his back. I immediately called the vet at his house. 12:30 in the morning-I told him my cat was seriously injured. I met him at his office. He kept Bandit there for three days. My worst fear had come to pass. Bandit had broken his spinal cord and was paralyzed. I went to the vet daily to visit Bandit. I would stroke his head-his big blue eyes looking up at me. Tears streaming down my face as I would sing him his song. My last visit with the vet I asked him is it possible for him to survive paralyzed. I could always get him like a wheel chair device. It was hope against hope. Anything to keep my Bandit with me as long as possible. But once again I was given the horrible news. Bandit had labored breathing. He could not expand his lungs to get enough air and his kidneys were beginning to fail, it was a matter of time.
I brought him home one last night to be with me. We laid on the bed where I stroked his head, choking back the tears that continued to fall. I placed him on his windowsill where he loved to look out. The sun was shining so bright! He would look up at the sun and back at me. It reminded me so much of the song "Here Comes the Sun". Bandit passed away that night in my arms. I will never forget him or those big blue eyes. I think of him and smile....just a barn cat. Not Bandit! He was a cat with a personality as bright as the sun, that gave back twice as much love as he received.
The next day when I woke up and went outside the sun once again was shining so bright-just like the day Bandit came home. I looked up with tears in my eyes and said to myself....just like the words in the song... Here Comes the Sun and I say it's alright. And it will be alright.....one day. I miss you Bandit...my little barn cat.
Charla Baranski