Cats who teach me to fly…

We are glad that we celebrated her birthday a month ago. In her twelve years, Monnie had been with all the cats that we have rescued. She didn’t reject the cats, neither did she bully any of them. Quietly, she walked with us. Watching the newborns being taken care of and rehomed, the recovery of the sick and injured and the old and departed ones. She had been there for all of them. And she still meowed like a four-month-

old kitten!

Monnie had a big growth in her lungs as well as pneumonia. Due to her condition, it was unsuitable to do a biopsy on her. All my rescues including Monnie spent their final days or weeks in my tiny meditation room. The little room where I read the Sutta, meditate and gain insights. There’s an altar where I would light up candles for them and wish them well.

After the passing of Miemi, Monnie was the second cat that I adopted. However, the adoption came in a bundle, her brother, Cashie, was adopted along with her. Cashie was an extraordinary cat who loved and doted all rescues and all the cats love to stick to him. Therefore, adopting Cashie was my fortune!

As a rescuer, it is really hard to take care of them to old age. Many have passed on before the age of eight. I am very thankful to Monnie for being with me for twelve years.

It was a private cremation. As long as there is slot and the waiting time is not long, Rainbow Cremation would be our first choice. Rainbow Cremation has done a good job, the price is reasonable and affordable.

We all know that there is no rainbow bridge, however, I believe that whatever is written on the door does bring comfort to many. Animals in heaven were never mentioned in the suttas, however, the Buddha said animals with good karma ripened can be reborn in heaven. There are records from those with near death experience seeing their pets in heaven.

Her ashes are with me and the condition is not right yet for me to scatter their ashes.

Animals can be kind all their lives given the right conditions. There are monastics that teach that pets like Monnie were actually exhausting their good karma and eventually, they would end in lower realms, however, I think otherwise. As an animal in such case, for the least that they did not kill for food or cause harm to others and thus, no negative karma has been created as well. They merely exhaust their negative karma being born as an animal in that very lifetime. I am not saying that they will have a good rebirth. To simply judge and determine them for exhausting all their good karma in this very lifetime is not appropriate… Everything comes both ways. Karma is complicated and only the Buddha could see.

Thank you Monnie, like Miemi and many, for being a good companion.

May all the merits accumulated be dedicated to her favourable rebirth.