Last week I said goodbye to my dear Miro. How is it possible for a 15 pound fur ball to steal your heart? The last 16 years of my life were totally enriched by having him in my life. (He was likely 2+ years old when I adopted him, which puts his age at 18+.) Miro’s back story – He was abused and randomly dumped on a front lawn of a friend back in 2003. My prior kitty of 14 years had passed away a few months earlier and I had told everyone “when the right kitty comes along, I’ll know.” My friend said “I know a cat you need to adopt.” And she was right. The friend had naming rights and named him “Miro” as he reminded her of the paintings of the Spanish painter, Miro. The first few years with Miro were extremely difficult – he suffered from serious anxiety from his prior abuse. He ran for shelter upon hearing any male voice. Any attempt to touch him would likely result in biting or scratching. But over the years, he learned that not all men are horrible. With the help of my male friends, Miro learned to trust men. I asked them to walk into the house and not talk and then be nice to Miro. Only once he accepted them did I give the okay to start talking. In addition, Miro decided he was a 99% outdoor cat, but was also the lowest cat in the pecking order and took beatings regularly (and WAY too many vet visits to help keep him in good shape). (For the record, it was Miro’s choice to be 99% outdoors at this time, he REFUSED to stay indoors.) It took literally years, but eventually Miro became a total snuggle bunny. While I was living in London in 2006-2007, Miro moved in with my dear neighbors – or (more accurately), he assumed that his personal staff extended into the next house and just moved between houses as the mood struck him. When I moved to San Francisco in 2007, I entrusted the neighbors with the responsibility of shipping Miro from Melbourne to San Francisco. My neighbor said “you very nearly did not get your cat back.” He had won them over and it was hard to let go. Upon arriving in San Francisco, Miro became a nervous wreck again – in total terror after a horrible international move and new surroundings. He hid in a duffel bag of clothing for about 6 weeks (coming out for meals and restroom breaks). Once in San Francisco, his true snuggle bunny self came out – becoming more of an indoor cat and more of a cuddler. He touched so many people’s lives over the years. Those who knew him in recent years are astonished when I tell them about his early days. My main point (for this long essay) is that love can overcome so many things – including a terrible abusive past, which is no fault at all of the subject of the abuse. Miro really should be a poster child for rehabilitation of animals who were previously abused. I hope people think about this the next time they are thinking of adopting an animal. Those who have had a terrible past are in such need of love. And once they receive love, they are able to radiate it as well.
-Phaedra F.