Did you know that pets are angels sent from heaven? I know of at least one. An angel in the form of a cat traveled from heaven and into my heart nearly 16 years ago. I awakened one morning with a profound need to adopt a cat. Not just any cat—a specific one that was waiting just for me. I found my beautiful gray kitten, who had lovely pink markings, on the website of one of my local animal shelters. When I visited the shelter, I spent a very long time gently talking to a very frightened kitten while she sat trembling in a corner. After our visit, I adopted my angel and named her Selena Joy.
Interestingly enough, prior to that morning, I had suffered from ailurophobia for nearly five decades. Selena Joy, who had been rescued near a trash bin, was equally frightened of people. Needless to say, we had a lot to learn from and about each other. I fell in love with Selena the very morning I woke up with the need to find her. Selena, in turn, learned to love me in a short period of time. She taught me how to overcome my fear of cats. In return, I taught her how to trust.
Selena was by my side during the good times and the difficult ones. She was the most loving and compassionate caregiver during my cancer journey. Selena instinctively knew that I was sick, positioning herself close by my side both day and night. She was truly essential to my healing and my journey to becoming cancer-free.
I thought of and loved Selena as my own daughter. Our time together on earth was incredibly dear to me.
One of my fondest memories is Selena Joy's love of blankets. She especially enjoyed any blanket that I was currently using or had previously used. I remember cuddling together, and Selena Joy would always find the perfect spot on top of the blanket to rest. I always smiled watching her gently and completely take over the entire space. I truly believe our shared moments brought both of us immense comfort.
Selena Joy returned to heaven recently. Her work on earth was successfully completed. Now, she is saving a place for me on a sofa with our favorite blankie, and I look forward to our beautiful reunion. Until then, I will hold Selena Joy tightly in my heart, filled with fond memories of the precious time we spent together. Rest in peace, my little angel. — Momma