A Special Bond

A Special Bond

Pull up a chair and sit awhile

October 15, 2026

Dear Friend:

I have a particular memory that has stayed with me for many years. But first I want to give some background.

I have had a few pets in my lifetime, dogs, cats, turtles, gerbils, bunnies it ran the gamut. My Dad was an animal lover. All the cats and dogs loved my Dad and vice versa. There was one particular cat with whom my Dad shared a special bond. His name was Tommy. He was a stray my husband and I took in.

Dad loved holding this cat, giving him treats, playing with him and petting him. Whenever we would go to visit my parents or they came to our house, Tommy would attach himself to my Dad. My Dad also would also patiently cook and cut chicken gizzards into tiny, tiny pieces so Tommy could eat them. Dad even had his own special way of serving dinner, with those little pieces of gizzards on top. I bet he did this for all his children’s pets, he loved them all.

That wasn't just someone who tolerated the family cat. That was a man who took the time to make sure a little creature he loved was happy and well cared for. Tommy clearly loved him, too.

After a few years, Dad was dying of lung cancer. On October 14, 1987, at three o'clock in the morning, I was in my daughter's nursery, feeding her, when my cat walked into the room. He let out a great big sigh and fell to the ground.

My father died at exactly three o'clock that morning.

I have never been able to explain what happened. Perhaps the timing was a coincidence. Perhaps there was something I didn't understand. I only know what I witnessed, and I know that the memory has stayed with me all these years.

Afterward, my cat seemed to mope around for days. He had always watched for my Dad’s car from our window. When my mother came to visit, he would look behind her, apparently checking to see whether Dad had come, too.

I cannot tell you what my cat knew that night. But I can tell you that the bond between them was real.

Pets touch so many lives, not just those of their owners, but family members, friends, and neighbors. They bring us comfort, companionship, and unconditional love. But we must remember that we bring those same things to them. Perhaps that was part of God's plan: that we should give one another love and comfort, sometimes in ways we don't fully understand.

Until next time, stay well, stay safe, and stay connected to those you love.

Be well,

Emma

Emma is the voice behind Sharing with Seniors, where every story starts with a memory. Through stories of family, friendships, music, traditions, hometowns, and life's simple pleasures, she invites readers to pull up a chair, stay awhile, and remember the moments that have shaped their lives.