Sixteen years ago I moved out to the Northwest along with my pet companion Georgia, such a sweat dog. I spent a great deal of time with Connie at her home. Just before my arrival, she had adopted three young cats from a shelter. They appeared to be of the same age, around two years old and all had a rough start to their lives.
I recall the first time I brought Georgia to Connie’s home. We had planned a brief introduction and imagined the three to immediately scatter upon Georgia’s arrival. Two did, one just walked casually to Georgia as if to say “hi, can I get you a bowl of water?” … that was Phoenix.
He would be the first to greet me when I arrived at the door with chirping and a loud purr. Like everyone at the house, Phoenix was a master lounger. A wooden trestle covered the back deck, an excellent perch for any cat. Yet for Phoenix it was an opportunity to rise above the rest, his belly resting on the two by fours letting his paws drape between the gaps.
The humans frequently gathered in the house to watch hockey, which provided many laps and attention. This idyllic time would quickly snap when a red light flashed on the screen indicating the first goal for the favored team. Unfortunately for the three, the reaction by the humans was to them explosive, propelling each through the air … none would return for some time.
Hockey fans attending a game hold an age long ritual when a single player scores three goals in the same game, tossing their hats on the rink. This is known as a “hat trick”. It is a rarity and an honor for the player. For myself, Connie’s trio of Keiko, Obi, and Phoenix were an equivalent. Each was the light following a goal. Brightness for the joy they brought, brightness for their love, brightness for the lessons they offered (especially lounging), brightness for their simple presence, and brightness for Connie to have created a wonderful rich life for each.
Phoenix was, just easy to be with. Gentle, attentive, the best cat when taken to the vet, and he put up no fuss when giving him his IV fluids.
Obi died the year before last, Keiko back in July, and Phoenix this Monday. With a heavy loving heart, I throw my hat on to the rink for the trio … thank you Pheeny for completing the “cat trick”.
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