It was April 1, 2013. Mama had to work that day. She had planned to go home after work but something told her she should take her volunteer clothes with her. After work she was really tired, but something told her she should go volunteer at Great Plains. So she went. While she was there, the director from a local hospice called the shelter and asked if they could fulfill a dying man's last wish. He had always had cats and he wanted to pet a cat one last time.
GPSPCA's Chief Operating Officer asked Mama if she would go. For those of you who know Mama, you know this kind of thing really isn't in her comfort zone. Mama was the only cat volunteer there and she wasn't going to let the man down. She put Mimi, an adoptable cat, in a carrier and headed to the hospice facility.
Once Mama and Mimi got there, the staff rushed them back to the man's room. Mama let Mimi out of her carrier. She needed to investigate a bit and get a feel for the room. Then Mimi laid on the gentleman's bed. The man was too weak to pet Mimi on his own. His daughter took his hand and pet Mimi as she purred. Within a half hour the man passed away.
Mama was glad she heard the call and was able to help comfort the man as he passed on. This is still her most memorable moment as a volunteer.
And what about Mimi? She was the man's angel that day. Mimi was rewarded a couple days later with her furrever home. It is a great reminder that just because we are cats doesn't mean we can't serve others.
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| Mimi |
How do you or your human plan to spend tomorrow's MLK National Day of Service?
