We Call Her Patches

My story actually begins a few years ago. I have always loved dogs and I always will. They have a special place in my heart. I have my favorite breeds, but I truly love all dogs. It doesn't matter if I am in the grocery store and see a working dog, walking on the beach, or at someone's home. I have this strong need to go and scratch their ears and look into their eyes. A working dog, needs the owners permission first, but they must sense my need and never turn me down. There is something about the look in their eyes that draw me in. They are the most loyal creature I know. I have been blessed to have a dog in my life for the past 40 years. I took it for granted. So, when our yellow lab of 12+ years passed away, my heart was broke and I had a void in my life. We were getting ready to move and a new puppy wouldn't fit in too well. Not fair to us, or the future puppy. That was three years ago. I have been praying for another dog and missing their companionship so much. I know to some this will sound crazy, but my heart actually aches for a dog.

I know the time isn't right for us to have a dog right now. I can't explain it really, but I have a peace that now is not the time. However, I seem to "sneak" into my prayer time, "Lord, I am ready whenever you are for a dog....."He has been silent on the issue. So, I wait.

This past Fall however, something strange happened. One evening sitting on our porch was this sweet cat. Now, if you know me and I use the word sweet and cat in the same sentance that is saying something. I don't do cats. I am a true dog lover. Yet, each evening she would come to our porch, look inside and just sit. I tried to pet her to see if she was hurt or injured and she would run away. She would only show up in the evenings. Our daughter twisted our arm and asked if we could keep her. I knew if I fed her, she would never leave. It took many days to build her trust. Even to this day, she doesn't want held, and NEVER tries to come inside. She never wants held, just a scratch under the chin and a few scraps when I make dinner. So, we decided there are mice in the hen house and maybe having a cat around would not be so bad. I don't know if she was a drop off, or a runaway, but she was sent to me I am sure. You see, I am allergic to cats. I don't want cats. I want a dog. However, she is perfect for me. She doesn't try to come inside or cling to anything. She just wants to say hello, eat a bit, and then be on her way. She started to look very fat and we knew kittens were coming. Nice....Then she showed up one evening thin, which meant we had kittens to now feed and take care of. I made it my business to find these kittens and tame them. She would move them every few days and hiss at me, if I tried to hold them. I eventually won her trust and she let me hold them and play with them. Our kids loved it and if I had to be honest, I did too. I have included a picture of her from the Fall, how could anyone say no to those eyes?

She would still come each evening and wait for some attention or scraps. She would prop herself on the window and just wait. We decided to name her Patches. She is filled with patches of color and she would come each evening out of the corn patch. Seemed to fit her well.

Propping on the window ledge of the storm door, just patiently waiting....



Seems like a long story with no point, but I needed to give you the history to understand what I recently figured out. It has a point, I promise.

One of her kittens was a black and white male. He was always the first one to run out to see me when I went into the barn and he would constantly purr when I was around. He would always snoop into anything I was doing. Very curious cat. He also reminded me of my favorite comic strip, "Peanuts". He quickly became Snoopy. This cat follows me everywhere. It doesn't matter if I am walking to the mailbox, working in the flower beds, filling grain for the chickens, or even sitting on the porch and reading a book. He is by my side. Then last week, while getting ready to go on a long walk, he started to follow me. I look down and he was ready to go where ever we going. It hit me then, I have wanted a black lab to be my companion, to follow me, and to keep me company when my family is away working.

My dog is a black and white cat named Snoopy. I realized that afternoon, while I felt God was being silent on this issue of a dog, He has placed an animal in my life that was close to the things I wanted. I know in my heart now is not the time for a dog, but instead of giving me nothing since the time isn't right, he gave me Snoops. He even runs on the porch and jumps into one of my crocks that holds a tennis ball for my niece's dog, when she comes for visits, and plays with the ball on the porch!

I realized there are times in our life,when God seems silent, when He doesn't answer the way we prayed. We were specific in what we wanted, why we wanted it, and we even try to convince God the "want" is a "need"! He knows our needs. He knows I "need" a pet in my life, and a cat is what it is for me in this stage of life. I don't know why, I would never have picked a cat, but everyday, Snoops puts a smile on my face and warms my heart. He also keeps the birds and mice at bay in the hen house!

What are the things in your life that you keep praying for and they seem to go unheard? Sometimes there are reasons for the silence. Sometimes we have unconfessed sin in our lives, sometimes we have wants and not needs, sometimes as painful as it is to admit, we couldn't handle it. God knows what is best and what we need when we need it. I still pray for a dog some day, but the wait is much easier since I have opened my heart to a stray cat who really needed a home.

A side note to this story, Patches just had another litter of kittens a few weeks ago. Last evening I saw her enter into the barn, so I followed. She led me right to her babies and even called them out of hiding for me to see. I have completely won her trust. I thanked God for creating animals. I thanked him that we can communicate with them. I thanked Him that Patches trusted me to show me her most treasured possession. I thanked Him that some days He does things just because He can. Just to make us smile. Do I still want a dog? Yes, however, I know in my heart now is not the time, so I will enjoy what He has decided is best for me. What about you? Are there things in your life that you need to be more thankful for? Are there answers to your prayers that you missed because they didn't come in the way you expected? Remember, I wanted a black dog and received a black/white cat. Spend some time this next week, thanking Him for always answering our prayers with what we need and not what we think is best.