Today I had an encounter with a suicidal cat
Suicidal, because what else would you call a cat who somehow manages to enter a house with multiple (very insane, non cat-loving) dogs?
So there she was, Ms. Grey (or possibly a Mr. Grey, I’m a dog person, wouldn’t know how to tell the difference, but she seemed like a she) all meow-ing, very aware of the fact that she now in enemy territory with several salivating enemies waiting to pounce on her.
And there we were, dog people all, but nevertheless, trying to help out the suicidal cat.
Which led me to think - yes, I’m weird that way, random things make me think - what is it about human nature that we always reach out to people who are suicidal & always try to help them to change their minds?
I mean seriously, I am so NOT a cat person. Most cats give me the creeps. I definitely do not want to go around trying to touch a random cat I don’t know from Adam, especially one that is all fired up anyway, meowing loudly & obviously in very delicate state of mind.
But more strongly that all that, none of us wanted the cat to get hurt. Ironic as it sounds, the cat was the underdog in this weird battle scene as it was unfolding in front of us.
Long story short (got you worried for a bit, hadn’t I?) we did save the cat.
Back to the parallel story though - have no idea for long. When people are suicidal, just saving them from killing themselves is not enough. Deep layers of work, mostly psychological is required.
Trying to help these people on our own is like being a dog person trying to help a cat. Possible, but maybe not effective in the long run. Do we really understand? And if we don’t really understand, can we really care?
But just why am I going on about all of this?
Because I had a friend who went through with this. Ironically (yes, more irony), thinking of her reminds me of the song ‘Cats in the Cradle‘ (if you must know, my mind’s playing the Ugly Kid Joe cover not the Harry Chapin original)
Which further leads my perennially-tangential mind to wonder, how many of the world’s problems would be solved if there was love, genuine love in our homes?
Call your spouse / parents / kids and genuinely tell them that you love them. Do it now.
[Befrienders India cares for the lonely, depressed & suicidal. Mumbai Ph: 022-27546669. Contact numbers for other states available on their site]
Tags: Befrienders-India, Cats, Cats-in-the-Cradle, Felines, Harry-Chapin, Love, Suicidal, Suicide, Ugly-Kid-Joe
; ?>/feed-icon-24x24.png){kind=icon}
July 31st, 2007 at 2:24 pm
I love your blog now! Don’t die out on me.
July 31st, 2007 at 3:14 pm
on the different tangent, came across these websites
for CAT lovers - http://www.stuffonmycat.com/
for dog lovers - http://www.stuffonmymutt.com/
…they are the “cho chweet” types pics in them…
July 31st, 2007 at 3:55 pm
Ummm… i guess it is the inherent things that we are taught about how precius life is and how we must live and fight things out till the end.. never give up.. never say die.. teh story of king brutus of scotland… aren’t these the stuff we are made to listen to as kids?? i guess it stems from these teachings!!
and ican understand your emotions in this matter pretty well… having brought back a frnd from the same situation earlier this year!! It really gets trying…. u have to decide whether to be sympathetic or strict… often it’s a tight rope walk between teh two!! sheesh!! so draining… but leaves you happy wen you see that same fella with a zest for life all over again!! isn’t it??
July 31st, 2007 at 4:00 pm
Glad you love my blog though. Don’t think I’ve officially welcomed you though, so welcome!
@ Moksh: Awww!!! thx for the links, “cho chweet” is exactly correct!!
@ sam: Thanks for sharing. I know what you mean exactly about walking the tight rope. And yes, it’s great if it works out in the long run. Everyone’s not so lucky though - but I guess we come back to King Robert the Bruce (not Brutus). Nice reference, always have loved that story. Incidentally, perseverance is one of my favorite words.
July 31st, 2007 at 4:44 pm
oi.. thnx for the correction mate!! am always a lil whoozy wen it comes to folklore and all…
July 31st, 2007 at 9:39 pm
genuine love demands simplicity of thought. And we have lost that. most of our thoughts are jealousy, anger, lust, greed and the likes. Love is no longer pure in the sense it should be. genuine love demands another big feeling, and that is forgiveness. We have most certainly forgotten that one!!
Is there hope? There always is….and there always will be
So lets hope that simplicity and forgiveness comes back to us soon enuf. 
August 1st, 2007 at 2:44 pm
When the power of love overcomes the love for power, the world will be a better place. [-Jimi Hendrix, during the eXperience tour]
August 1st, 2007 at 3:01 pm
I know you weren’t blogging about yourself. That was just in response to the “call your friends now and genuinely tell them you love them”. So I took the blog as the friend and rest etc.
. Thanks for the welcome. I intend to visit often.
August 1st, 2007 at 4:48 pm
Well, we are humans, that may be the explanation
We have compassion, empathy with all living creatures (almost!).
Or at least we should have, butt I say that it’s on it’s way to disappear sadly enough. Too much stress in the society’s today. Stress can destroy a human person very fast.
Suicide is becoming more common. I knew someone that did it too, a young man with a difficult childhood. It’s horrible and so darn unnecessary!
The recipe clearly is: More Love Power to the people
We need to calm down and realize what’s most important here in life. And it’s definitely not money and status!!!!
I’m glad you saved the cat. I love all animals even though I’m more a dog person too
August 7th, 2007 at 9:11 am
i had a friend and her blog name was ‘voices in my head’ hmmmm, anyway the cat’s eye color is amzing, darkish green, very mesmerizing.
August 9th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
@ Jimi Hendrix!: Welcome to TVIMH! Saw your site, nice pics!
@ Kg: LOL, thanks for the explanation, made me smile! And good you intend to visit often!
@ Captain Lifecruiser: Welcome to TVIMH! You have a lovely site, I find water very peaceful. Thanks for what you wrote, true.
@ Nabeel: Interesting about your friend. Don’t know him/her, but perhaps if you’d do a search with his/her name and the voices in my head, you would find her.