posted August 13, 2004 07:39 PM
Last evening I had dinner at a restaurant with my friend Elizabeth. Afterwards, she invited me to her home to meet her furry friends, 2 cats, one dog, 4 bunnies and a chubby guinea pig. And that's where I met the Amazing Gracie.
She had been dropped off at the Humane Society when she was young. The Vet said she'd probably had untreated distemper, which caused her deformities.
Gracie's front legs are permanently folded in half and tucked in to her chest, they sort of resemble furry flippers. And they can not be pulled apart, or used to walk on.
Her hind legs, while appearing normal, are paralyzed and useless. She can feel being petted, but she can not use them to walk or propel herself.
She's tiny, about 4 pounds and probably underdeveloped physically because her head appears slightly out of proportion, it seems large for her body. Which, btw, accentuates those big golden eyes.
The only way she can get around is to drag herself with her front flippers. Elizabeth usually carries her everywhere, and when Elizabeth is not at home, Gracie has a very large, safe cage with a modified litter box that she can get in and out of on her own.
She's a dark calico. There she lay on the couch, her bright, shiny, intelligent eyes looking up at me with so much love, it over-filled my weary heart. She purred and purred and rubbed her head against my hand. The emotions she evokes with her gentle beauty are so strong, she made me cry. My eyes are welling up just thinking about her. I have never met anything as naturally spiritually beautiful as that wee one. Such an indomitable spirit.
Elizabeth will tell you that Gracie gives her far more than she has ever given Gracie.And Elizabeth is so in love with that little girl. That little cat is so happy and content, though Elizabeth said that she can be moody and b!tchy sometimes--all the more reason to love her.
I wish I could share Gracie with you. You would be forever changed, even after a few moments. She would linger in your heart, your soul, and you would feel blessed to have had the chance to run your fingers through her soft fur.
The next time I visit, I will ask if I can photograph her.
Lindaland
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posted August 13, 2004 07:39 PM
posted August 14, 2004 12:51 PM
posted August 14, 2004 08:26 PM
