It’s been two years since I first introduced you to Buddy. After two stories, a bitter cold winter and the early days of a second bone-chilling season, there is finally a happily ever after.
As it turns out, Buddy had a bit of a secret advocator unbeknownst to me until a couple of weeks ago. It makes sense actually. After all, it is from him that my true love and appreciation for animals stems.
Every Tuesday for the past couple of years, he and my mom have come over to watch my children while their mother goes to school. While he is at my house, he also ensures the animals are fed before I get home later in the evening – including feeding the stray that has been living on my back porch for over two years. Not only does my father feed Buddy, but he sits and brushes him as well. One day I came home to find one big ball of Buddy floating across my front lawn.
Aside from our half-an-hour together each evening, the time on weekends he follows me around as I do yard work, or our occasional walks together with the dog when it’s a little warmer than zero outside, he has a half-hour or so with my dad many Tuesday’s and likely some love from our neighbor who also feeds him. It’s not a lot of people time although he must at least be the most well-fed feline on the block.
Last year, one of my dad’s four brothers took seriously ill. He came around from near death and spent the last however many months as king of the rehabilitation centre he lived at. He will likely never fully recover and nobody knows for sure how long he will be with us, but he has been well enough to move him into his own place.
It’s a nice, newly renovated apartment. A model of what other multi-dwelling property owners in this city should look to as an example of how affordable housing shouldn’t mean a dump.
When a place was found for my uncle to live, my father brought the idea up to the brothers about Buddy going to live with their sick sibling. It was agreed upon and the countdown was on. In a few weeks, Buddy would have a home and just in time for Christmas. It was A Home For Christmas; one year later.
I was sad at the thought; very much so. I was going to miss our walks and in fact over the past couple of weeks on warmer nights, I encouraged Buddy to follow us a few more times.
On the Friday night before moving day, I spent an hour with him in the garage. We hung out, I told him about his new home and his very special new owner. How he needed to take good care of him and that I knew they would be best of friends. His new owner would be home most of the time and there would be far more lap time then the little time we get to spend together each evening.
Buddy roughed it one more night in the cold December night and in the morning I fed him, gave him some treats, and some fresh un-frozen water for the last time.
Early Saturday afternoon after dance recitals and visits with Santa Claus, I returned home to take Buddy to his new home. I had him in a soft carrier to transport him in, but I opened the top a bit so I could pet him while I drove the 5 minutes away. Buddy managed to worm his way out and I can’t say that I stopped him. He sat on my lap and looked out the window like a dog the whole way there – just like my old cat Teddy had the day we said a different kind of goodbye. People driving by must have thought I was completely nuts. Likely no more so than those that pointed as he followed us on walks.
I was surprised upon entering my uncle’s new place. It was not only a step or two above Buddy’s shack on the back porch it was nicer than my place. This was his new castle.
My uncle was thrilled to see Buddy. My father had told me that he wasn’t only excited about having his own place again, but he was really looking forward to meeting his new housemate.
Buddy stayed in his carrier for an hour or so until everyone was finished moving things in and out. My uncle talked to him through the carrier mesh, and then later on my father placed him in the window so he could get used to the view. He didn’t cry at all. I believe he sensed that he had come to a happy place.
After an hour, we finally took Buddy out of his carrier and formerly introduced him to his new owner. He sat for a moment, but was very curious and jumped down to explore. Within 15 minutes, he had scoped around, used his litter box, had a snack, and was back on my uncle’s lap. He was home.
That was the image that I left with that afternoon as I patted Buddy on the head and said my goodbyes.
It’s weird not hearing him meow at the door each morning for breakfast or him greeting me on the front porch when I get home from work. I miss him but with how cold it’s been this past week, I am happy for him at the same time.
I got a call the next day telling me that Buddy follows my uncle all over the apartment and that he slept with him that first night. It made me smile.
It’s been a long time since Buddy first came to me with a bloody paw. He’s been good company and now the inspiration for three stories. I will never forget how he touched our lives.
It isn’t like I can’t visit him as he is only a few minutes away, but now he is my uncle’s cat. Buddy finally has a home and all the love he has longed for and deserves. I believe both he and my uncle couldn’t have received a better Christmas present this year.
