Desperately Seeking Toffee

TOFFEE, our stray cat went out and has not been home for about two weeks now. We have had her since she was a month old kitten. When she was little, she was very fearful. She used to run away whenever we approached her. One day out of my zealousness, I tried to hold her and was bitten. I ended up needing an injection. I learned my lesson that day.

Toffee (on the right)  with her sister on their first visit to the vet.

I took in the strays in at a time when I had no liking for cats.  I thought that they were a  lazy lot and only came home when they needed food. I laugh at myself now. How could I make such judgements without knowing or understanding cats? And that is how we, humans can be, not only to animals but our fellow men. We are so quick to jump to conclusions looking through our tinted glasses (biased minds) though we have little knowledge. Over time, I grew to understand and  love them while caring for them.  Not only  was I changed but my neighbour too. She really disliked them, not letting them near her house even. But now, she supports my decision to help the strays after understanding their nature. Now, I think cats are so relaxed, cool, smart and very much like us. They respond to love and have their distinct personalities. Toffee is feisty, protective and gentle. She is the big sister of the lot.

One morning last year, I heard Toffee whining non-stop and decided to check on her. I examined her and found a deep cut on her abdomen. I took her to the vet and she was given antibiotics. I was instructed to use hibiscrub and iodine solution to clean her wound twice a day to prevent infection. But how would I be able to do that? I was packed and ready for a family holiday in Cameron Highlands the next day. I immediately decided to bring her and her sister along, much to my husband's chagrin. So we packed their food and they travelled in a carrier with us for the three hour journey. They were surprisingly very well behaved and we spent our holiday together with them in the cool mountains.

I have been waiting for her for the past two weeks. Where is she? I miss her presence.  I keep on looking out for her, hoping to see her trotting along. I pray that she is well.  Toffee, please come home. We miss you.

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I named her Toffee because she has a beautiful dark brown colour and deep brown eyes. Besides Pansy, she is my very special cat. I used to give her a nickname, Toffee Moffee. She has a special quality. When I am sad, she rubs herself against my legs, curls up next to me and meows very softly. But now that Toffee is missing, I feel very sad. I really hope she is not dead. If she is somewhere else at another house, I hope she is happy. If  Toffee has passed on, I hope she is standing at the rainbow bridge, waiting for me.

(Written by CF's daughter)

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This is a post that was written jointly with my daughter before Toffee came home to us. She came back yesterday but I decided to post this as a tribute to her and to record here, the significance of her presence in our lives. It was when she went missing that I reminisced about the past and wished to have more time with her. It reminded me that I need to make more effort in my relationships with  friends and loved ones while they are still with me. Every living being is important and precious. They are in our lives for a reason and a season.