Chapter 10 – A New Friend

The Goodness of God

Romans 8:28

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”

Matthew 5:4

“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”

1 Chronicles 29:11-13

“Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and Thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of Thee, and thou reignest over all; and in Thine hand is power and might; and in Thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious Name.”

Kaiyah was making progress. I was continuing to pray for my Heavenly Father’s Help in every way I knew and was continuing to work on trusting Him with everything. I endeavored to ponder His Goodness and rely on His tender mercies as much as possible as I personally was still waiting for answers and needed His Comfort more than ever. Kaiyah and I had begun adding local road trips and new mission hike areas to tackle the anxiety and trauma that had caused her to not be a happy husky. That also was helping me too. Her tail remained long and low although her ears began to point upward a little more often. She had no interest in playing with balls or fetching or chew toys and I observed she was still very heavy with her grief and now I was too.

Before visiting my mom a second time the year my dad passed away, and having said good-bye to my kitty Esther, we had an unexpected new addition. My good friend Rachel had let me know that she had decided to give me her cat Pumpkin, who was a joint rescue on an apple picking trip in the autumn a few years prior. I had peripherally seen that little bit of kitten trotting down the main highway in the pull-over lane. Thankfully, there was no one else driving close by because my reaction was to announce what I saw, pray, slow and pull over as urgently as possible. Rachel was more than willing to hop out since I was behind the wheel and ran down to grab the little fella. She moved like she was in the race of her life and easily whisked him up in her arms. He was so tiny and had been hurt on his little mouth and was missing the skin off the tip of his little tail. It was amazing how that little guy was so brave trying to survive after what looked to be a cruel high speed drop in the middle of the road. I still marvel how I was able to notice him as we were traveling the speed limit, which was pretty fast, and he was a tiny bit of a thing.

We took the next exit that had a little store, bought wet cat food and water and watched him enjoy. He was adorable. Rachel was smitten. After our trip we arrived back safely and she took him to a kind vet who helped get him all fixed up along with many prayers and lots of love. He grew into a gorgeous dusty ginger and cream long-haired, kitten-faced man-cat and was one of the coziest little rascals you could meet. He was Pumpkin and he knew Gideon and had known Esther. Gideon was good with him and kept the young whipper-snapper in check when he was around. Rachel had been through some changes of her own and was concerned for his safety as he liked to sneak out real fast when you least expected it. She knew my dad and Esther had both passed away very recently and felt impressed to give me little Pumpkin. I knew if she gave me Pumpkin there was no way I could let him go and I told her so. He had won my heart too and I love for keeps.

So my friend brought him over and Pumpkin had his first meeting with Kaiyah and a reunion with Gideon. Gideon was like “There you are, where you been buddy?” They had a relaxed respectful brother-like connection and the reunion was much welcome. Of course, Gideon was the watchful mentoring type who wouldn’t take any slack from the playful side of Pumpkin. Pumpkin’s personality was good for Gideon too. Gideon was a bit anxious and intense at times and needed to “lighten up” and “take it easy” which Pumpkin was good at naturally.

Pumpkin in his usual relaxed sweet way made his way around and soon found Kaiyah. He was totally enamored by her immediately. And the feeling was absolutely mutual. Kaiyah took one look at Pumpkin and perked right up. She was totally focused on him, ears full up, she raised up to a posture that was more on her tummy with paws forward and straight body with her tail right behind on the floor with a tiny curl up at the end, and he bravely stood right in front of her while letting himself be dog-scanned. He went right up to her and gave her one big long swish of his body down to the tip of his fluffy tail; which he followed with a four-paw standing gentle roll to his side with a whoosh of his pluff of a tail curling out from him slightly, kind of dog like, that would later become known as the famous “Pumpkin Roll”. She was clearly happy meeting him and even had her tail waggling slightly. She looked at me with soulful happy eyes and I said, “Kaiyah, this is Pumpkin. Pumpkin this is Kaiyah.” That was it and the bond began right then and there. As I pondered this later I came to realize how much Pumpkin’s markings and color was like her own puppies. And with that happy go lucky cat cadence of his to go with it is was no wonder they were instant friends. The Lord had worked another Divine Appointment with Kaiyah well in mind, and the rest of us too.  Thank God Rachel listened to the Lord that day.

I could tell Kaiyah was a little different in a good way after Pumpkin joined our family…something deep in her heart was being healed. And I think it was a little fuller because of her new friend. We often have no idea what sweet surprises the Lord ordains in our lives especially when we are hurting in some way. I think my Great God and His Loving Attentive Care Gifts often go unnoticed and unappreciated; although many we can’t miss. And yet He remains thoughtful of everyone… and everything He has Made and that ultimately everything belongs to Him; I think for us it is not always easy to remember or realize that when feeling overwhelmed, too at ease, lied to, or confused in some way. He is a Comfort, yes, and He knows what will be best for us, even though we haven’t a clue what or if any good could come from what we may have gone or are currently going through. How could I not have offered Him my humble worship alongside His servant King David at such a Kindness displaying His Greatness to us, “Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and Thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of Thee, and thou reignest over all; and in Thine hand is power and might; and in Thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious Name.”

There was a tangible sweet comfort in my home that night. Kaiyah, Gideon and Pumpkin were all peacefully resting as I prayed quietly and before long I had drifted to sleep with them.

…Until we meet again…