Charlie, your friend Blackie say’s hello.
I had to make a run to the grocery store this afternoon. I’m out of just about everything, except canned food.
I’ve been busy working on projects the last couple of weeks (and admittedly over obsessed about getting my laptop rebuilt because it got taken down with a lethal virus forcing me to opt for the last resort total nuke restore back to the original factory W7 2009 install) that I procrastinated shopping and several other chores.
As I was getting into my truck I looked up and there was Blackie.
Now Blackie I’m sure has an owner somewhere in our condo complex. I know this as a long time resident of the community. Cats get abandoned around here all the time. They may continue on the grounds for quite a while, several months maybe, but sooner more than later they get disappeared.
I nicknamed him/her Blackie, well because him/her Blackie is a black cat! It’s simple, without prejudice, and a throwback to my childhood. As kids we played in the woods, especially on Saturdays after the chores were done.
Unbeknownst to mom we weren’t just across the street in the little woods, we’d head from there down past Taylor’s pasture to the end of the alley around the old Hoffmeister home and catch the trail into the big woods.
Soon we’d pass Big Tree, palatine maple, and we’re now deep under the wooded canopy. Then up and over Indian Grounds plateau above the high cliff we’d work our way to the railroad tracks past the big pond to the little hobo village. It seemed everyone there had a short name and all of us kids knew them as Whitey, Blackie, or Red.
But my point here is Blackie often shows up when I least expect it and I totally get it; “You’re not looking for me.” I can tell by your cautious body language and your darting shinny eyes. “You’re looking for Charlie.”
I’m deeply moved. I’ve never been a cat person, per say, but I’ve owned a few way back. I’ve always considered myself a dog person and I’ve heard all the arguments through the years about animals.
Do they really think? Do they really feel?
My Grandmother said it so many times when I was a child I’ll never forget…
“They’re just little people too, you know.
They have feelings just like you and me.”
I’m touched because I know Blackie remembers and still comes by to look for Charlie even though it’s been almost a year since he’s been gone. Charlie was my daughter Shannon’s cat and as with all young people when life suddenly changes, Charlie needed a place to stay for awhile so he hung out with my son Jeff and I. We fondly referred to it as, we three bachelors.
I wrote a post about my friend Charlie back in February. As my personal coach, he taught me a lot.
I’m happy to report that Charlie now lives with a wonderful family including kids in a home on acreage. He’s a very social creature so this is awesome and it also gives him space for adventure and time alone to roam.
I just wish I could text him
to let him know Blackie stopped by to say hello and misses you.
Hope you’re well. Take care.
Originally posted on the Activerain.com network at:
Charlie, your friend Blackie say’s hello.
7 months ago