My Hero, The Astonishing Crusader

We lost a little kitten today. Snowpants was only 8 months old but his life just wasn't meant to be any longer. He was rescued by my friend Barb's sister, Beth, when he, his mother and his two brothers, Skimask and Toboggan, showed up on her farm in the dead of winter. Beth fed them and did her best to care for the feral little felines. And although she enjoyed their presence, she cared enough to want a better life for them. When she called Barb for help, there was no hesitation. Snowpants developed a terrible upper respiratory infection that caused him to stop eating. At his age, he didn't have much wiggle room for weight loss. We consulted the vet and began round-the-clock feedings with prescription, high protein canned food. We gave him sugar and electrolytes to correct his blood values. We gave him milk replacer for the nutrients. Three different antibiotics coursed through his veins. We wiped his little nose almost constantly. And we worried as he just seemed to get sicker and sicker despite our best efforts. At about 4:30pm today, he slipped away to play at the Rainbow Bridge and wait for that fateful day when one of us joins him to cross over. As I was putting away the medical periphernalia after we lost this sweet little boy, I couldn't help but think about my friend Barb. Rescue has made me a little less traumatized by the sadness that accompanies a loss like this. And I wondered if Barb understood what a true hero she really is. The outcome wasn't what we all had hoped for but he died today with food in his belly and love in his heart. You see, far too many cats never know what it is to be loved. They never get a chance to purr. They only know starvation and cruelty. They are more accustomed to be shot at than cuddled. Because Barb ignored the naysayers who would call her crazy and because she knew and understood the adversity she would face by taking on these animals but said to the world, "They need me and I will be there for them," Snowpants got to know kindness. He got to know peace. He got to know love in the truest, most unconditional sense of the word. He was feral...reacting to the cruelties of the world for his own self-preservation. Trust no one! But Barb saw through that. "It's ok Punky Butt," she would say as he hissed and carried on, "You're just scared and that's ok." She accepted him and, above all, posed no threat so that he could learn trust. I believe that everyone should have heroes. Joseph Campbell said, "A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself." I am blessed in my life and in my animal-rescue career to have met a few people I regard as heroes. However, I have met but one Astonishing Crusader. She is an amazing, spiritual, eclectic, fascinating, caring, kind, generous, determined, gregarious, intelligent, wise, accepting woman who I am proud to call my friend. Barb, please know that, although his life was too short, Snowpants passed away today, having found love and trust. He got a chance to purr and a chance to be held and cuddled. He knew freedom from starvation. He knew warmth. And none of that would have ever happened without you. I am so grateful to know you and to be a witness to your strength of character and extraordinary heart. This world would be a better place if more people were like you. God bless you my friend. The cats are smiling down on you and good things will happen.