Christmas Miracles
So the Christmas tree is decorated brightly coloredlights, ornaments (only hung so low as to provide moderate temptation), andilluminated star on top. There are nopresents underneath as I am trying to prevent their destruction my friendsand family may not appreciate the shredded paper and tiny teeth marks in thebows as much as me. My mother, who hascats of her own, has given up on this -she considers the fang marks and rippedpaper part of the uniqueness of her present and its decoration. She has stopped putting up a Christmas treeout of concern that one rambunctious cat will bring it toppling to theground. Never fear, she has a smallceramic Christmas tree that has taken its place.
In lieu of presents, I do keep a plush red tree skirt withfuzzy white trim underneath our tree. Mr. Bones has taken up residence under the tree and I suspect will spendmost of his time here until the season ends and the tree meets its fate outside. My daughter accompanies him here, gigglingand squeaking because she loves the colored lights on the tree and loves to lieon Mr. Bones like a pillow.
The rest of the herd enjoys sleeping on the hearth on athick faux fur rug which covers the sharp edges an attempt to protect mydaughter from certain injury as she teeters and totters around it in her questfor running and climbing perfection.
I consider my cats lucky, all of them thrown away orderelicts in one way or another before finding their way into my life. And at the clinic, although Calvin iscertainly adventuring right now on his quest for Tristan, I know that he wouldlove to come home after his search to find a hearth on which he could sleeppeacefully, and that Raven and Bailey would love to slumber on their humansbed or a couch instead of in their kennels (although they are kept plush andcomfortable by our wonderful and attentive staff) at the Nashville CatClinic.
I hope that during this holiday season they all find alittle miracle a home after spending much of their lives here at the clinic.
Your faithful servant,
Dr. Ashley Manos
Happy is the home withat least one cat
-Italian Proverb
Dr. Ashley Manos, Associate Veterinarian, Nashville Cat Clinic