Gel writes about her cat Peter:
“I was visiting a famed shelter in Quezon City when I first met Peter. Peter is a plus size orange and white tabby cat. He was easy to spot from the crowd of felines at the shelter because he was their alpha (his size is that of a 6 month-old aspin). He was already two years old when I took him home.
“Felines are known to take their time before following their special person. But Peter proved himself to be different by literally following me all the time. He sleeps beside me. He wakes me up in time so that I could prepare myself for work. He would wait for me by our door from my departure in the morning until my arrival in the evening. As soon as I arrive he would holler as if interrogating me what took me so long from frolicking outside. He is being doted on by my mother, siblings, and nieces, but he’ll only attend to me.
“There was a time, though, when Peter saved my then 1 year-old niece from falling down the stairs. He feared my niece then, yet he set aside his fear to protect her. Uncharacteristically, he hollered to get the attention of my niece and her caregiver. My niece was saved and Peter earned points for his bravery.
“Last year (2015) was the worst. Peter caught a fever and excessively drank from his water bowl. He had to be rushed to a nearby animal hospital and we found out that he has diabetes. He was hospitalized for three weeks. He also had to stay for another 2 weeks to heal from a wound that was caused by his continuous licking of the area where his IV needle was inserted. Because he was far from home for more than a month, he lost the will to eat and play. Worse, I almost thought he would lose the will to live. Through prayers, medical help from the vet, and assistance from my mother and siblings, Peter was restored to good health. My mother and sister at home patiently took turns giving his oral medicines for his kidney and liver (these two organs are the first targets of exacerbated diabetes. Luckily Peter’s are fine) and injecting him insulin in the morning and in the evening. (Another reason I wanted to share Peter’s story is to encourage pet guardians to feed their pets the best quality food they can afford to avoid illness such as diabetes.)
“Almost half a year has passed from that worst event in 2015, Peter still takes his insulin in the morning and in the evening. His kidney and liver are still fine. His blood sugar remains in a healthy normal range. Felines with diabetes need long term maintenance. People usually ask me why I would go so far with Peter’s medication. Some would be so cruel advising me just to let him die and get a new cat instead. Like any other creature of God, Peter manifests God’s magnificence and love (try to look at your pet’s eyes for instance). Therefore, part of our calling is to be stewards to these furry creatures, too. For as long as the human applies prudence to animal care and never forgets to be just to his or her neglected brethren, he or she wouldn’t be misjudged by the society.
“Through Peter’s existence, I was greatly taught the riddles of life and to how I could manage them accordingly.”
Words and images by Gel Rivera.
About the contributor: Angeli Francis S. Rivera currently works as a theology instructor at UST. Her furry brother, Peter, does not mind that her spare time is spent playing with and feeding strays.