Mona, My Angel

I want to tell you about Mona! We met in a suburb of Seattle in 1996 at an animal shelter near my then home. After seeing and holding many other cats, I peaked into the intake room and saw this beautiful black and white kitty. I asked if I could have a closer look at this cat. They granted my wish. When I looked into those beautiful golden eyes, I was a goner. I was also granted my wish to take her into the visiting room and we got acquainted. She was SO loving and affectionate!! Her coat was SO soft! Softer than I've ever felt on a cat. And her tail was SO long! I fell in love with her instantly! I didn't have my debit card with me at that time, so I went home and got it, came back, went through all the hoops (pay the fee, got her licienced made the appointment for a vet to see her, etc..) then I took her home! At first, I didn't like her name. But, soon I saw how she was called Mona! She walked like a queen, so dignified and proud. The painting, "The Mona Lisa" really suits her. But, I only called her that as a term of endearment, not her name. She was 2 years old! 

Some background: My then husband had gotten me a cat but he did not bond with me at all. So, we agreed that I would go find one for me. A few days later, I found Mona. 

My then husband and I had many verbal fights and Mona would hide under the bed and after awhile, I would come in and she would lick my tears and neutrued me back to my normal self. When I came to my senses and left him, I was homeless and stayed at a shelter as she was being cared for my him. I was SO scared for her, but he did care for her well. 

To make a long story short: Mona has moved with me to 12 different homes in her lifetime with me. She has seen me though many many different living situstions, many jobs and MANY moods! She even seen me through the darkest time in my life (I wanted to die, but didn't). Yes, she saved my life! 

I was a career home caregiver! When we were living in Port Orchard, WA, I experienced the worst case of Caregiver burn-out I have ever experienced! I was acutely depressed and was completlty empty. I had NOTHING more to give...any one, even my self! Mona had a hard time dealing with me in the throughs of a crisis! She trives when I come out of it and am healing from it. Well, I was in our bedroom crying my heart out, praying to God, talking to my departed mom, talking to a crisis line person. I wanted to go home. But, it was when I was standing in the middle of the room holding myself when I heard a voice inside of me saying, 'NO ONE CAN LOVE MONA AS MUCH AS YOU DO'! 'SHE NEEDS YOU!' Thats what started me out of my darkness! MONA SAVED MY LIFE that day! 

And now as I sit here typing this story, tears are running down my face. She would not like that and would be lying on her pillow on our bed, if she were here now. I am trying to cling onto the memories I have and of all the fun and joy she gave me! I just miss her SO MUCH!! 

I'll write more later! Thanks for reading this!