After Heidi (valanhb) adopted Ginger, I asked my editor if I could write something about this sweet little cat that touched the hearts of so many people.
Since all of you were so much a part of Ginger's journey home, just wanted to share this with you. It's running in the 10/6 issue of the Catholic Telegraph (the newspaper for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati). It won't be on our website, so here's the story:
Lessons from the animals
The Catholic Moment
By Eileen ********, OSU
“Not to hurt our humble brethren (the animals) is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission, to be of service to them whenever they require it.”
These words from St. Francis of Assisi were of particular significance to me on his feast day this year (Oct. 4) after my recent and rather reluctant involvement in the rescue of very special cat that ended up touching the hearts of people all over the world.
In looking back, it was one of those situations that I can good-naturedly “blame” on God. I didn’t really want to get involved but, as so often happens, He had other plans. Thanks to the example of my parents, who taught my brothers and me to have compassion for all God’s creatures, human and animal, my life has been blessed by the companionship of numerous furry friends. I’m currently proudly owned by four (yes, four) of the sweetest, funniest cats around.
With their help, as well as by establishing some invaluable connections with other local animal lovers, I’ve gained a lot of knowledge about responsible pet ownership and care over the years. So, when my family gathered to celebrate my grandmother’s 94th birthday in early August and my cousin made mention of a young, stray cat that had been begging for food in her backyard, I offered to help. How can you refuse to come the aid of anyone, be it a person or animal, when you have the ability to be of service?
So the scrawny creature, a dilute calico whom we suspected had been
abandoned, came home with me that night for some initial care. She then went back to my cousin, who agreed to keep her until a home was found. Before long, I was posting flyers of Ginger at my vet’s office and local pet stores, spreading the word about her wherever I went and, of course, praying to St. Francis to find a good home for the sweet creature, who been so callously tossed aside. I also posted on The Cat Site, a website for cat lovers. I didn’t expect to find Ginger a home there, but knew I could count on this wonderful community to send their prayers her way.
As fate (a.k.a. God) would have it, one of the site moderators who’d been searching for another cat happened to read my post and responded that she would love to have Ginger. The only problem was that she lives in Colorado. I half-jokingly contacted Heidi to see whether she would be interested in adopting Ginger if we could arrange transport. After discussing it with her husband, Heidi agreed.
“There was something about Ginger, from 1000 miles away that grabbed me,” she said. “Ginger is a ‘fate’ kitty. She was simply meant to be with us and be a part of our family.”
Was it crazy to consider sending a cat from Cincinnati to Denver? Sure it was, but doesn’t God sometimes ask us to do things that to may seem farfetched or even impossible? That’s when we need to rely on faith, and so it was with Ginger’s journey.
As we finalized the arrangements to get Ginger to her new home, she came to stay with me. Having her around for those two weeks was a gift. She turned out to be one of the most happy, adaptable and grateful creatures that has ever come my way. She was so eager to love and so thankful for every kindness shown to her. I know plenty of people, myself included, who could learn from her example.
Ginger left for her new home early on Sept. 22, with people across the United States, Canada, Europe and beyond praying for her safe travels and monitoring The Cat Site for news of her arrival. It brought tears to my eyes to think of how God brought people together out of concern for one animal. If only we could manage to unite in such a way on some the issues and challenges facing our communities, our nation and our world, think what could be accomplished!
Since Ginger arrived in her new home, I’ve been receiving heartwarming updates and photos from her proud and happy new owners. The most touching read, “This cat has more love in her little body than she knows what do with.”
God knows it. St. Francis knew it, and we, as humans, need to recognize it. There is much to be learned from the animals, our humble brethren, and we have long way to go in learning to care for them (and each other) with the compassion and respect that God calls us to give all His creatures.
Thanks, Ginger, for the reminder.
Since all of you were so much a part of Ginger's journey home, just wanted to share this with you. It's running in the 10/6 issue of the Catholic Telegraph (the newspaper for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati). It won't be on our website, so here's the story:
Lessons from the animals
The Catholic Moment
By Eileen ********, OSU
“Not to hurt our humble brethren (the animals) is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission, to be of service to them whenever they require it.”
These words from St. Francis of Assisi were of particular significance to me on his feast day this year (Oct. 4) after my recent and rather reluctant involvement in the rescue of very special cat that ended up touching the hearts of people all over the world.
In looking back, it was one of those situations that I can good-naturedly “blame” on God. I didn’t really want to get involved but, as so often happens, He had other plans. Thanks to the example of my parents, who taught my brothers and me to have compassion for all God’s creatures, human and animal, my life has been blessed by the companionship of numerous furry friends. I’m currently proudly owned by four (yes, four) of the sweetest, funniest cats around.
With their help, as well as by establishing some invaluable connections with other local animal lovers, I’ve gained a lot of knowledge about responsible pet ownership and care over the years. So, when my family gathered to celebrate my grandmother’s 94th birthday in early August and my cousin made mention of a young, stray cat that had been begging for food in her backyard, I offered to help. How can you refuse to come the aid of anyone, be it a person or animal, when you have the ability to be of service?
So the scrawny creature, a dilute calico whom we suspected had been
abandoned, came home with me that night for some initial care. She then went back to my cousin, who agreed to keep her until a home was found. Before long, I was posting flyers of Ginger at my vet’s office and local pet stores, spreading the word about her wherever I went and, of course, praying to St. Francis to find a good home for the sweet creature, who been so callously tossed aside. I also posted on The Cat Site, a website for cat lovers. I didn’t expect to find Ginger a home there, but knew I could count on this wonderful community to send their prayers her way.
As fate (a.k.a. God) would have it, one of the site moderators who’d been searching for another cat happened to read my post and responded that she would love to have Ginger. The only problem was that she lives in Colorado. I half-jokingly contacted Heidi to see whether she would be interested in adopting Ginger if we could arrange transport. After discussing it with her husband, Heidi agreed.
“There was something about Ginger, from 1000 miles away that grabbed me,” she said. “Ginger is a ‘fate’ kitty. She was simply meant to be with us and be a part of our family.”
Was it crazy to consider sending a cat from Cincinnati to Denver? Sure it was, but doesn’t God sometimes ask us to do things that to may seem farfetched or even impossible? That’s when we need to rely on faith, and so it was with Ginger’s journey.
As we finalized the arrangements to get Ginger to her new home, she came to stay with me. Having her around for those two weeks was a gift. She turned out to be one of the most happy, adaptable and grateful creatures that has ever come my way. She was so eager to love and so thankful for every kindness shown to her. I know plenty of people, myself included, who could learn from her example.
Ginger left for her new home early on Sept. 22, with people across the United States, Canada, Europe and beyond praying for her safe travels and monitoring The Cat Site for news of her arrival. It brought tears to my eyes to think of how God brought people together out of concern for one animal. If only we could manage to unite in such a way on some the issues and challenges facing our communities, our nation and our world, think what could be accomplished!
Since Ginger arrived in her new home, I’ve been receiving heartwarming updates and photos from her proud and happy new owners. The most touching read, “This cat has more love in her little body than she knows what do with.”
God knows it. St. Francis knew it, and we, as humans, need to recognize it. There is much to be learned from the animals, our humble brethren, and we have long way to go in learning to care for them (and each other) with the compassion and respect that God calls us to give all His creatures.
Thanks, Ginger, for the reminder.