I have a cat

His name is Luke. When I first got know him it was hard to determine gender so I initially named him Lucy. Luke lived under the house I bought so as to have plenty of room for lots of kids. Luke lived under that house with a family of racoons. I do not know how long he was there. I think it was a long time. Luke the cat had been declawed before being abandoned so as to live under the house - with racoons.

Needless to say Luke the Cat had issues.

When I first moved into the house for lots of kids I knew about the racoons within the first week and left my dogs with my Mom until the issue was resolved. Then I met Luke. He would come shyly to see me as I sat on the front steps of that house at night, dreaming my dreams. I dreamed and petted the very shy cat.

After awhile, he started to walk into the front door for brief moments. Whatever. I had racoons to evict and beloved dogs to make safe. I did what I needed to do and the dogs started coming to their home. Luke the Cat moved in too.

Luke had no claws so he struggled with being with the dogs. Fortunately the dogs had been trained by a former most beloved cat so they never did anything towards Luke despite all his hissing, spitting and general hysteria. Mostly the dogs just tried to curl up with the cat and comfort him.

Life was good.

The family has gotten other cats since then and they have other issues. Luke is still with us. He is still a relatively young cat. He has many years left to learn how to deal with having no claws.

I cannot imagine how this cat gets through his day. Claws are so necessary for a cat. But Luke does it -everyday.

What I notice now is that the cat with no claws no longer pees on things. What I notice is that he no longer shies from the dogs. What I notice is a calmer cat that acts out less. Luke does okay. He gets love and is safe.

I would never equate a child with a family pet but traumatized beings can point to what heals a heart.


I gave that cat time and love and he is working out his existence on the planet within the context of his trauma. It is all happening on his own timeline, not mine.

Can I do nothing less for my kids?

I have a cat. He helped me remember what it is to love a traumatized being.

I just wish my son had less to deal with than being surgically declawed.

Tomorrow is Monday - back to battle stations. It promises to be a long week. Please pray for my son and our family.