Here is a family tale from many years ago. It may sound familiar, but in this case it's true. It's about home, hearth, love and a wonderful cat named Smokey. This story is for anyone who ever loved and lost a pet.
My husband and his family owned a grey and white long-haired cat named Smokey. They had Smokey forever. He was actually quite old when this incident occured. Some of the facts may be a little confused, you'd have to ask my mother-in-law to get the whole story, but this is how I remember hearing it and I'd like to share this tail, I mean tale with you.
Dave, my significant other, was still in elementary school at the time of this event. His whole life he'd had three siblings, Jeff, Cherie and Smokey. The cat was family and indeed it was often treated as Dave's older brother. Everyone loved Smokey, he was easygoing, lovable and friendly, even to small children. One of my favorite baby pictures of my husband is him in his pajamas holding a fluffy and tolerant Smokey in his chubby little arms.
The neighbors had been packing for an extended vacation. Their garage door had been hanging open all morning as they got the old 1970's sedan loaded up. The man walked over to tell Dave's folks goodbye and then they were off to destinations unknown. A hush fell over the neighborhood after all of the earlier activity.
Later that night as the Swader family settled in, they realized their beloved pet had not returned home for dinner. In fact, they began to worry that maybe Smokey had gotten locked in the neighbors garage while they were packing their car. Dave's dad went over to their house and listened to hear any strange meowing noises. But it was perfectly silent. Maybe Smokey was just wandering the neighborhood, they thought.
But when Smokey still had not returned the next day, the whole family started preparing for the worst. He was pretty old and maybe he'd gotten hurt or left to die in peace. After a very long week, the Swader's felt that they had seen the last of their precious family member. Each was dealing with the loss in their own way. It was hard on all of them and an air of sadness settled over their happy home.
The next week, the neighbors returned home. The man immediately sought out Dave's dad who was working in the garage. "Bob" he said with a heavy sad voice, "Smokey somehow got into our trunk while we were packing. We didn't hear him meow or know he was there until we stopped for a bathroom break. We opened the trunk to get something and out popped your cat. We tried to catch him, but he ran off and we couldn't find him. I'm so sorry." The neighbor and his family were all very sad to bear such bad news.
So at last the Swader's had some closure. They knew their cat was out there, but he was a city cat and more than likely did not survive in the woods, so near the interstate. They all made peace with the fact that Smokey was gone forever. They even talked about getting a new kitten once everyone was ready.
A couple of months later, Dave's mom was working in the kitchen when she heard a faint meow at the glass sliding door. Looking out the window, she had the shock of her life. There sat a much skinnier and very dirty Smokey. Somehow he'd survived the 300 mile trek back home, back to his family. How he survived or even knew which direction to travel in, they never knew. But Smokey, the wonder cat, not only survived the dangerous trip home but he lived to the ripe old age of 22 before finally leaving his loving family forever.
Take a moment to hug your family pet today and marvel at God's wonderful creations. There is nothing like a pet to make a house a home.
