Pabu’s Ordeal

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

KIM SMILED AS SHE WALKED PAST her seven-year-old tri-colored cat, Pabu, and her Labrador retriever mix, Rigby. The two animals had been cordial frenemies since Rigby joined their family as a two-month-old rescue puppy a few years before. Throughout much of the day, Pabu and Rigby ignored each other, but when the mood struck, they would engage in a feline-canine version of tag or, if they were feeling especially frisky, a wrestling match. Their roughhousing always made Kim a little nervous, especially since Pabu was much smaller than his canine brother. But week after week, Pabu would go back for more, sometimes even instigating their play.

“Be nice, you two,” Kim ordered as she walked out the back door to do some gardening one July morning.

The first few hours in the summer sun were invigorating, and soon Kim was lost in her tasks of weeding and pruning. It was work that steadied her heart and mind. But once the sun got hotter and the humidity increased, Kim went indoors to cool off.

As she approached the downstairs bathroom, she noticed Pabu lying at a strange angle by the door. His wide-open eyes didn’t blink or focus on Kim. And when she picked him up, his body was floppy and limp.

“Eric!” Kim yelled for her husband as she gently cradled Pabu in her arms.

Eric came running, and Kim met him by the back door. He took Pabu from Kim, placed him on the patio table, and pressed his finger to the cat’s chest.

“I can feel a faint heartbeat.”

Kim wrapped Pabu in a towel while Eric called the emergency vet to let them know they were on their way.

“Please don’t die,” Kim whispered to Pabu, who was curled up on her lap during the drive. “We love you so much.”

On the way, Kim tried to hold on to hope, but when they arrived, that hope began to evaporate after the vet technician rushed Pabu into a procedure room. They hooked him up to various monitors, took blood samples, and examined him thoroughly before wrapping him in warming blankets.

After what felt like a very long time, the vet told Kim and Eric that Pabu was stable. But the cause was still a mystery. “Pabu’s symptoms are consistent with toxic poisoning,” the vet explained. “Are there any medications or plants in your house that Pabu could have gotten into?” Kim assured her that all their medications were locked up, and because Pabu, an indoor cat, had gotten into every plant and bouquet Kim had ever brought into their home, she no longer kept any plants inside.

“We’ll keep administering antitoxins and monitor Pabu overnight. I’ll give you an update tomorrow.” Unable to say a final goodbye to Pabu, Kim and Eric left with tears in their eyes.

What could he have gotten into? Kim wondered. She worried all night and the next day as they awaited an update.

When the vet called that afternoon, the news wasn’t good. Pabu’s organs were shutting down.

“There’s one other treatment we can try.” The vet’s calm voice interrupted Kim’s panic. “On the off chance Pabu sustained a concussion instead of poisoning, we could administer a medication to reduce brain swelling. Once again, we’ll keep him overnight.”

A concussion? Kim pondered. How in the world would he have gotten a . . .

Just then Rigby walked into the room. Of course. Rigby had never behaved aggressively toward Pabu, but he clearly didn’t seem to take his bigger size into account when chasing his feline sibling.

“Yes, please give him the medicine,” Kim said.

Neither Kim nor Eric slept well that night, as hope and dread warred within their minds.

Kim’s heart raced the next morning when her phone rang and she saw the vet’s number pop up.

“It looks as if Pabu’s going to be okay!” the technician told her. “When we took him out of the kennel, he walked right up to me and wanted to be petted. You can pick him up in a couple of hours.”

“That’s wonderful news!” Kim said, waving Eric over.

The couple were grateful for everything the veterinary staff had done. Hours later Pabu was back home, under strict orders from the vet to avoid roughhousing for the near future.

Short of kenneling one or both of her animals, Kim wasn’t sure how she was going to accomplish that. And she knew they would never know exactly what had caused Pabu’s coma-like state. But it quickly became apparent she didn’t need to worry. Pabu’s ordeal appeared to have reduced his interest in smackdowns with his brother. Though Pabu’s embrace of a more docile lifestyle might have frustrated Rigby just a little, it brought great relief to Kim and Eric.

PAWS & PONDER . . .

Is there a habit, behavior, or relationship that has been negatively impacting your life? How has it affected you? Have you sought God’s wisdom? What steps could you take today toward health and growth?

Paws & Pray

God, I confess I often do things I know aren’t good for me and are a poor reflection of you. Please forgive me. Point out where I am weak and give me the strength to change. I want others to know that I have been transformed by you.