DR Squared: Wednesday Of The Eleventh Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  2 Kings 2:1, 6-14

And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elias into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elias and Eliseus were going from Galgal. And Elias said to him: Stay here, because the Lord hath sent me as far as the Jordan. And he said: As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee; and they two went on together, And fifty men of the sons of the prophets followed them, and stood in sight at a distance: but they two stood by the Jordan. And Elias took his mantle and folded it together, and struck the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, and they both passed over on dry ground. And when they were gone over, Elias said to Eliseus: Ask what thou wilt have me to do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Eliseus said: I beseech thee that in me may be thy double spirit. And he answered: Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless if thou see me when I am taken from thee, thou shalt have what thou hast asked: but if thou see me not, thou shalt not have it. And as they went on, walking and talking together, behold a fiery chariot, and fiery horses parted them both asunder: and Elias went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Eliseus saw him, and cried: My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the driver thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own garments, and rent them in two pieces. And he took up the mantle of Elias, that fell from him: and going back, he stood upon the bank of the Jordan, And he struck the waters with the mantle of Elias, that had fallen from him, and they were not divided. And he said: Where is now the God of Elias? And he struck the waters, and they were divided, hither and thither, and Eliseus passed over.

Responsorial Psalm:  cf. Psalm 31 (30):25; V. 20, 21, 24

R.  (L)et your heart be strengthened, all ye that hope in the Lord.

V.  O how great is the multitude of thy sweetness, O Lord,

     which thou hast hidden for them that fear thee!

     Which thou hast wrought for them that hope in thee,

     in the sight of the sons of men.

V.  Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy face,

     from the disturbance of men.

     Thou shalt protect them in thy tabernacle

     from the contradiction of tongues.

V.  O love the Lord, all ye his saints:

     for the Lord will require truth,

     and will repay them abundantly that act proudly.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Take heed that you do not your justice before men, to be seen by them: otherwise you shall not have a reward of your Father who is in heaven. Therefore when thou dost an almsdeed, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be honoured by men. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But when thou dost alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth. That thy alms may be in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee. And when ye pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, that love to stand and pray in the synagogues and corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men: Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But thou when thou shalt pray, enter into thy chamber, and having shut the door, pray to thy Father in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee. And when you fast, be not as the hypocrites, sad. For they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But thou, when thou fastest anoint thy head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not to men to fast, but to thy Father who is in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret, will repay thee.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Tuesday Of The Eleventh Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  1 Kings 21:17-29

And the word of the Lord came to Elias the Thesbite, saying:  Arise, and go down to meet Achab king of Israel, who is in Samaria: behold he is going down to the vineyard of Naboth, to take possession of it:  And thou shalt speak to him, saying: Thus saith the Lord: Thou hast slain, moreover also thou hast taken possession. And after these words thou shalt add: Thus saith the Lord: In this place, wherein the dogs have licked the blood of Naboth, they shall lick thy blood also. And Achab said to Elias: Hast thou found me thy enemy? He said: I have found thee, because thou art sold, to do evil in the sight of the Lord. Behold I will bring evil upon thee, and I will cut down thy posterity, and I will kill of Achab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up, and the last in Israel. And I will make thy house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nabat, and like the house of Baasa the son of Ahias: for what thou hast done, to provoke me to anger, and for making Israel to sin. And of Jezabel also the Lord spoke, saying: The dogs shall eat Jezabel in the field of Jezrahel. If Achab die in the city, the dogs shall eat him: but if he die in the field, the birds of the air shall eat him. Now there was not such another as Achab, who was sold to do evil in the sight of the Lord: for his wife Jezabel set him on, And he became abominable, insomuch that he followed the idols which the Amorrhites had made, whom the Lord destroyed before the face of the children of Israel. And when Achab had heard these words, he rent his garments, and put haircloth upon his flesh, and fasted and slept in sackcloth, and walked with his head cast down. And the word of the Lord came to Elias the Thesbite, saying:  Hast thou not seen Achab humbled before me? therefore, because he hath humbled himself for my sake, I will not bring the evil in his days, but in his son's days will I bring the evil upon his house.

Responsorial Psalm:  cf. Psalm 51 (50):3a; V. 3-4, 5-6ab, 11 and 16

R.  Have mercy on me, O God,

V.  Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy.

     And according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my iniquity.

     Wash me yet more from my iniquity,

     and cleanse me from my sin.

V.  For I know my iniquity,

     and my sin is always before me.

     To thee only have I sinned,

     and have done evil before thee:

V.  Turn away thy face from my sins,

     and blot out all my iniquities.

     Deliver me from blood, O God, thou God of my salvation:

     and my tongue shall extol thy justice.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 5:43-48

You have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thy enemy. But I say to you, Love your enemies: do good to them that hate you: and pray for them that persecute and calumniate you: That you may be the children of your Father who is in heaven, who maketh his sun to rise upon the good, and bad, and raineth upon the just and the unjust. For if you love them that love you, what reward shall you have? do not even the publicans this? And if you salute your brethren only, what do you more? do not also the heathens this? Be you therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Monday Of The Eleventh Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  1 Kings 21:1-16

And after these things, Naboth the Jezrahelite, who was in Jezrahel, had at that time a vineyard near the palace of Achab king of Samaria. And Achab spoke to Naboth, saying: Give me thy vineyard, that I may make me a garden of herbs, because it is nigh, and adjoining to my house, and I will give thee for it a better vineyard: or if thou think it more convenient for thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money. Naboth answered him: The Lord be merciful to me, and not let me give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And Achab came into his house angry and fretting, because of the word that Naboth the Jezrahelite had spoken to him, saying: I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And casting himself upon his bed, he turned away his face to the wall, and would eat no bread. And Jezabel his wife went in to him, and said to him: What is the matter that thy soul is so grieved? and why eatest thou no bread? And he answered her: I spoke to Naboth the Jezrahelite, and said to him: Give me thy vineyard, and take money for it: or if it please thee, I will give thee a better vineyard for it. And he said: I will not give thee my vineyard. Then Jezabel his wife said to him: Thou art of great authority indeed, and governest well the kingdom of Israel. Arise, and eat bread, and be of good cheer, I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezrahelite. So she wrote letter's in Achab's name, and sealed them with his ring, and sent them to the ancients, and the chief men that were in his city, and that dwelt with Naboth. And this was the tenor of the letters: Proclaim a fast, and make Naboth sit among the chief of the people, And suborn two men, sons of Belial against him, and let them bear false witness: that he hath blasphemed God and the king: and then carry him out, and stone him, and so let him die. And the men of his city, the ancients and nobles, that dwelt with him in the city, did as Jezabel had commanded them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent to them:  They proclaimed a fast, and made Naboth sit among the chief of the people. And bringing two men, sons of the devil, they made them sit against him: and they, like men of the devil, bore witness against him before the people, saying: Naboth hath blasphemed God and the king: wherefore they brought him forth without the city, and stoned him to death. And they sent to Jezabel, saying: Naboth is stoned, and is dead. And it came to pass when Jezabel heard that Naboth was stoned, and dead, that she said to Achab: Arise and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezrahelite, who would not agree with thee, and give it thee for money: for Naboth is not alive, but dead. And when Achab heard this, to wit, that Naboth was dead, he arose, and went down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezrahelite, to take possession of it.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 5:2; V. 2-3ab, 4b-6a, 6b-7  (DR--2-3, 5-6, 7)

R.  Give ear, O Lord, to my words, understand my cry.

V.  Give ear, O Lord, to my words,

     understand my cry.

     Hearken to the voice of my prayer,

     O my King and my God.

V.  In the morning I will stand before thee, and will see:

     because thou art not a God that willest iniquity.

     Neither shall the wicked dwell near thee:

     nor shall the unjust abide before thy eyes.

V.  Thou hatest all the workers of iniquity:

     Thou wilt destroy all that speak a lie.

     The bloody and the deceitful man

     the Lord will abhor. 

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 5:38-42

You have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you not to resist evil: but if one strike thee on thy right cheek, turn to him also the other:  And if a man will contend with thee in judgment, and take away thy coat, let go thy cloak also unto him. And whosoever will force thee one mile, go with him other two, Give to him that asketh of thee and from him that would borrow of thee turn not away.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

Long May It Wave

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1892-1923

I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands: one Nation indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.

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1923-1954

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.

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1954-Present

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.

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A brief history of the pledge can be found here.
A brief history about the day can be found here.
A brief history about the flag can be found here.

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Stories regarding burning of the flag as an act of protest against the country are numerous. A local radio announcer recorded this essay about respecting this country's most important and visible symbol (transcription is mine):

Hello. Remember me? Some people call me Old Glory. Others call me the Star-Spangled Banner. But, whatever they call me, I'm your flag--the flag of the United States of America. Something has been bothering me. I thought I might talk it over with you, because it's about you and me.

I remember some time ago people would line up on both sides of the street to watch the parade. Naturally, I was leading every one of them, proudly waving in the breeze. When your Daddy saw me coming, he removed his hat, placed it over his left shoulder so that his hand was over his heart. Remember? And you. I remember you standing there, straight as a soldier. You didn't have a hat, but you were giving the right salute. Remember your little sister? Not to be outdone, she was saluting the same as you, with her right hand over her heart. Remember?

What happened? I'm still the same old flag. Oh, I've added a few more stars since you were a boy. A lot more blood has been shed since those parades of long ago. But now, somehow, I don't feel as proud as I used to feel. Now when I come down your street, you just stand there with your hands in your pockets. You may give me a small glance, then you look away. I see children running around you shouting; they don't seem to know who I am. I saw one man take his hat off and then he looked around; and when he didn't see anyone else take their hat off, he quickly put his back on again.

Is is a sin to be patriotic today? Have you forgotten what I stand for and where I have been? Take a look at the memorial honor rolls; see the names of those patriotic Americans who gave their lives to keep this Republic free. When you salute me, you are actually saluting them.

Well, it won't be long until I'm coming down your street again. So when you see me, please--stand straight, place your hand over your heart, and I'll know that you remember. I'll salute you by waving back.

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Originally posted 6/14/2006.
Re-posted 6/14/2011.
Re-posted 6/14/2017.
Re-posted 6/14/2018.

Re-posted 6/14/2019.

Re-posted 6/14/2020.

Re-posted 6/14/2021.

Re-posted 6/14/2022.

Re-posted 6/14/2023.

Re-posted 6/14/2024.

Re-posted 6/14/2025.

DR Squared: Eleventh Sunday In Ordinary Time (Year A)

First Reading:  Exodus 19:2-6a

For departing out of Raphidim, and coming to the desert of Sinai, they camped in the same place, and there Israel pitched their tents over against the mountain. And Moses went up to God: and the Lord called unto him from the mountain, and said: Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel:  You have seen what I have done to the Egyptians, how I have carried you upon the wings of eagles, and have taken you to myself. If therefore you will hear my voice, and keep my covenant, you shall be my peculiar possession above all people: for all the earth is mine. And you shall be to me a priestly kingdom, and a holy nation.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 100 (99):3c; V. 1-2, 3, 5 (DR-2, 3, 5)

R.  We are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

V.  Sing joyfully to God, all the earth:

     serve ye the Lord with gladness.

     Come in before his presence with exceeding great joy.

V.  Know ye that the Lord he is God:

     he made us, and not we ourselves.

     We are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

V.  For the Lord is sweet,

     his mercy endureth for ever,

     and his truth to generation and generation.

Second Reading:  Romans 5:6-11

For why did Christ, when as yet we were weak, according to the time, die for the ungodly? For scarce for a just man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man some one would dare to die. But God commendeth his charity towards us; because when as yet we were sinners, according to the time, Christ died for us; much more therefore, being now justified by his blood, shall we be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son; much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. And not only so; but also we glory in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received reconciliation.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 9:36—10:8

And seeing the multitudes, he had compassion on them: because they were distressed, and lying like sheep that have no shepherd. Then he saith to his disciples, The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth labourers into his harvest. And having called his twelve disciples together, he gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of diseases, and all manner of infirmities. And the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the publican, and James the son of Alpheus, and Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent: commanding them, saying: Go ye not into the way of the Gentiles, and into the city of the Samaritans enter ye not. But go ye rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And going, preach, saying: The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils: freely have you received, freely give.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

The Heart Of A Mother

The First Saturday Devotion came as a result of visions received by the last surviving Fatima seer at that time, Lucia, although they were mentioned in the apparition on July 13, 1917.

While not a part of this devotion, the following litany, after the rosary, is the most beautiful petition for intercession from the Blessed Virgin Mary.

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Litany Of The Blessed Virgin Mary

V. Lord, have mercy on us.
R. Christ, have mercy on us.
V. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
R. Christ, graciously hear us.

V. God the Father of Heaven.

R. Have mercy on us. (Repeat after each invocation.)
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Spirit.
Holy Trinity, one God

V. Holy Mary.
R. Pray for us. (Repeat after each invocation.)
Holy Mother of God.

Holy Virgin of virgins.

Mother of Christ.
Mother of divine grace.
Mother most pure.
Mother most chaste.
Mother inviolate.
Mother undefiled.
Mother most amiable.
Mother most admirable.
Mother of good counsel.
Mother of our Creator.
Mother of our Savior.

Virgin most prudent.
Virgin most venerable.
Virgin most renowned.
Virgin most powerful.
Virgin most merciful.
Virgin most faithful.

Mirror of justice.
Seat of wisdom.
Cause of our joy.
Spiritual vessel.
Vessel of honor.
Singular vessel of devotion.

Mystical rose.
Tower of David.

Tower of ivory.
House of gold.
Ark of the Covenant.
Gate of Heaven.
Morning star.
Health of the sick.
Refuge of sinners.
Comforter of the afflicted.
Help of Christians.

Queen of angels.
Queen of patriarchs.
Queen of prophets.
Queen of apostles.
Queen of martyrs.
Queen of confessors.
Queen of virgins.
Queen of all saints.
Queen conceived without Original Sin.
Queen assumed into Heaven.
Queen of the most holy Rosary.

Queen of families.
Queen of peace.

V. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.
R. Spare us, O Lord.
V. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.
R. Graciously hear us, O Lord.
V. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.
R. Have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: Grant, we beg You, O Lord God, that we Your Servants may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, be delivered from present sorrow and enjoy eternal happiness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Originally posted 7/2/2011.
Re-posted 6/8/2013.
Re-posted 6/27/2014.
Re-posted 6/24/2017. (NOTE: The feast this year was superseded by the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist.)
Re-posted 6/9/2018.

Re-posted 6/29/2019.

Re-posted 6/20/2020.

Re-posted 6/12/2021.

Re-posted 6/25/2022.

Re-posted 6/17/2023.

Re-posted 6/8/2024.

Re-posted 6/28/2025.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of The Immaculate Heart Of The Blessed Virgin Mary

First Reading:  Isaiah 61:9-11

And they shall know their seed among the Gentiles, and their offspring in the midst of peoples: all that shall see them, shall know them, that these are the seed which the Lord hath blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, and my soul shall be joyful in my God: for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation: and with the robe of justice he hath covered me, as a bridegroom decked with a crown, and as a bride adorned with her jewels. For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth her seed to shoot forth: so shall the Lord God make justice to spring forth, and praise before all the nations.

Responsorial Psalm:  1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd

R.  My heart hath rejoiced in the Lord,

V.  My heart hath rejoiced in the Lord,

     and my horn is exalted in my God:

     my mouth is enlarged over my enemies:

     because I have joyed in thy salvation.

V.  The bow of the mighty is overcome,

     and the weak are girt with strength.

     They that were full before have hired out themselves for bread:

     and the hungry are filled,

     so that the barren hath borne many:

     and she that had many children is weakened.

V.  The Lord killeth and maketh alive,

     he bringeth down to hell and bringeth back again.

     The Lord maketh poor and maketh rich,

     he humbleth and he exalteth.

V.  He raiseth up the needy from the dust,

     and lifteth up the poor from the dunghill:

     that he may sit with princes, 

     and hold the throne of glory. 

Gospel Reading:  Luke 2:41-51

And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the solemn day of the pasch, And when he was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast, And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not. And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day's journey, and sought him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance. And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers. And seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: Son, why hast thou done so to us? behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said to them: How is it that you sought me? did you not know, that I must be about my father's business? And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart.

The reading from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 6/28/2025.

DR Squared: Memorial Of Saint Anthony Of Padua, Priest And Doctor Of The Church

First Reading:  Isaiah 61:1-3d

The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord hath anointed me: he hath sent me to preach to the meek, to heal the contrite of heart, and to preach a release to the captives, and deliverance to them that are shut up. To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God: to comfort all that mourn: To appoint to the mourners of Sion, and to give them a crown for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, a garment of praise for the spirit of grief:

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 89 (88):2a; V. 2-3, 4-5, 21-22, 25 and 27

R.  The mercies of the Lord I will sing for ever.

V.  The mercies of the Lord I will sing for ever.

     I will shew forth thy truth with my mouth to generation and generation.

     For thou hast said: Mercy shall be built up for ever in the heavens:

     thy truth shall be prepared in them.

V.  I have made a covenant with my elect:

     I have sworn to David my servant:

     Thy seed will I settle for ever.

     And I will build up thy throne unto generation and generation.

V.  I have found David my servant:

     with my holy oil I have anointed him.

     For my hand shall help him:

     and my arm shall strengthen him.

V.  And my truth and my mercy shall be with him:

     and in my name shall his horn be exalted.

     He shall cry out to me: Thou art my father:

     my God, and the support of my salvation.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 10:1-9

And after these things the Lord appointed also other seventy-two: and he sent them two and two before his face into every city and place whither he himself was to come. And he said to them: The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send labourers into his harvest. Go: Behold I send you as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes; and salute no man by the way. Into whatsoever house you enter, first say: Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall return to you. And in the same house, remain, eating and drinking such things as they have: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Remove not from house to house. And into what city soever you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. And heal the sick that are therein, and say to them: The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 6/13/2025.

DR Squared: Saturday Of The Tenth Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  1 Kings 19:19-21

And Elias departing from thence, found Eliseus the son of Saphat, ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen: and he was one of them that were ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen: and when Elias came up to him, he cast his mantle upon him. And he forthwith left the oxen and ran after Elias, and said: Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said to him: Go, and return back: for that which was my part, I have done to thee. And returning back from him, he took a yoke of oxen, and killed them, and boiled the flesh with the plough of the oxen, and gave to the people, and they ate: and rising up he went away, and followed Elias, and ministered to him.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 16 (15):5a; V. 1b-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10

R.  The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup:

V.  Preserve me, O Lord, for I have put my trust in thee.

     I have said to the Lord, thou art my God,

     The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup:

     it is thou that wilt restore my inheritance to me.

V. I will bless the Lord, who hath given me understanding:

     moreover my reins also have corrected me even till night.

     I set the Lord always in my sight:

     for he is at my right hand, that I be not moved.

V.  Therefore my heart hath been glad, and my tongue hath rejoiced:

     moreover my flesh also shall rest in hope.

     Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell;

     nor wilt thou give thy holy one to see corruption.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 5:33-37

Again you have heard that it was said to them of old, Thou shalt not forswear thyself: but thou shalt perform thy oaths to the Lord. But I say to you not to swear at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God:  Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool: nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king:  Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your speech be yea, yea: no, no: and that which is over and above these, is of evil.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

A Cat's Tale

Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened. 

Anatole France (1844-1924)

As I had mentioned in my last year-end review I was the "new" owner of two cats from Catherine Garcia's house, Ashes and Ginger. They're both tuxedos, black with white chins, bellies, and paws. It's been a joy to have them with me.

If you have noticed, I had to use a contraction when writing. There is a reason. One cat is still in the present tense; the other is not. It is with a lingering sadness that I pen another pet obituary.

This post is about the cat who adopted me.

This story is about "my baby".

This biography is about Ginger.

A Box Of Fur

It was 2009 when I came home one day to find this sign taped to the door of my office/dressing room:

ENTER AT

YOUR OWN RISK.

ATTACK GINGER

KITTY INSIDE.

(I still have that sign.)

That was the first time I met Ginger. She originally belonged to Catherine's mother, Norma Allen. Norma, for a time, would transfer between an assisted living facility and a rehab hospital a few times. When that happened, Ginger would come live with us, transported in a cardboard carrying container. (Needless to say, but her loathing of that mode of moving was born there.)

Willow and Ashes were also with Catherine and me at the time. Acclimating the cats to each other was a challenge; as I learned later, Ginger was not socially well-adjusted. So she spent most of her time in my room, adapting to my personal aromas and pheromones. The bond between us began there. When Norma permanently was confined to the rehab hospital, we added one more animal to the menagerie.

"Mama" Kitty

Ginger did eventually come to tolerate the other cats. She wisely, however, avoided the dogs we also had at the place. She split her time between the master bedroom and my office, especially when I was there. I would find her in an open dresser drawer quite often. She would snuggle into my laundry basket as well. But the place she loved the most was my lap.

She was always an indoor cat. She ventured outside only once, as far as I knew. It was November 12 2011. (I have the exact date because of an e-mail exchange with someone.) She was gone for about sixteen hours before she snuck her was back to my office. It never happened again.

The bond between us grew with the passing years. If I was lying down, she would lie on me, either on my torso or side. She would use my hand for a pillow. When she was the most relaxed, she would allow me to rub her belly. When I retired for the night, she would lay near me, sometimes next to my head.

It was a flattering way to say, "I trust you."

A True Companion

For the last eight years of her life, the bond between us was incredibly special. It was put to the test in 2023. Remember when I left the area for that summer? Guess who I took with me?

There was even one night in October when I was living out of my car when a special moment happened. I looked toward Catherine's house when I saw the light in the room I was using was on. There was a cat in the window. I went down to look closer.

It was Ginger. She was sitting there, as regal as ever. She seemed to be saying to me, "I will be here for you."

Sixteen months later, I had her (as well as Ashes) in my possession.

Signs Of The (End) Times

She did have one very annoying habit. Whenever something was not right in her world, whether the food and/or water bowl(s) were empty or the litterbox needed cleaning, she would let me know of her displeasure by using my bed as her litterbox.  She did have a history of urinary tract infections, so that may have been a cause of that as well.

It was also a warning of what was to come.

On April 26, at 7:00 AM, I rose for the day. Ten minutes later, I heard her scratching the covers on the bed. Yes, she did it again. I thought it was because I wasn't giving here the attention she wanted at the time. 

April 30 was a different story. She vomited bile. She had done this before when UTI's were the diagnosis. I took her to an urgent veterinary clinic that afternoon. However, the diagnosis from the attending vet was not what I wanted to here.

She was having chronic kidney failure, developing probably over the last two years. She didn't have much time left. I opted for palliative care.

But she wanted to fight. I was hoping to get her appetite back and go from there. The follow up exam at my regular vet's place a week later offered a little encouragement. But there were more signs saying the end was near.

I had a strange dream on May 10. Picture if you will a cross between a tidal pool and a swamp, in black and white. The tide was coming in. Then, I heard me say, "Ginger's gone." That startled me awake.

As cats are want to do when ill, she was isolating herself. I found her in different places about the apartment, but always hiding in plain sight. Around 5:00 AM on May 11, I went looking for her. She came out from under the futon, one of two places where it would be a challenge to retrieve her. After taking a few steps, she collapsed. She was tired and weak, as she had stopped eating.

As I was working on a post later that morning, I remembered I had saved this poem shortly after Zoe was euthanized.

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak

And pain should keep me from my sleep,

Then will you do what must be done,

For this — the last battle — can't be won.

You will be sad I understand,

But don't let grief then stay your hand,

For on this day, more than the rest,

Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,

You wouldn't want me to suffer so.

When the time comes, please, let me go.

Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,

Only, stay with me till the end

And hold me firm and speak to me

Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time you will agree

It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,

From pain and suffering I have been saved.

Don't grieve that it must be you

Who has to decide this thing to do;

We've been so close — we two — these years,

Don't let your heart hold any tears.

— Unknown

It was the final push I needed.

At 4:55 PM, I made her last vet appointment.

The Last Hours

Sometime around 5:00 AM on May 12, I brought Ginger on the bed with me. Even in her failing condition, she still reached a paw out to me. Her crying as I put her in her carrying container was muted. The spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak.

The appointment was at 10:00 AM at the other animal hospital associated with this group. Delayed at a railroad crossing, I got there ten minutes late, then waited another five minutes before we was received. Checking in provided me the time to made decisions about her remains. As with the other pets back at the house, I did decide to keep her cremains.

We were taken to what was called the "Quiet Room". Its main feature was a cabinet where the procedure would take place. After a few minutes, the vet came to speak with me. We reviewed her last exam; I filled in details. He then explained the procedure to me, then left me alone with Ginger.

I gave an anguished cry. My head knew this was the right thing to do, but my heart still wanted her to die of her own volition. I still wanted her in my life, but not like this.

Around 10:35 AM the vet and a vet tech entered the room. The tech administered a muscle relaxant which would take about fifteen minutes to become effective. One again, I was left along with her. During the next twenty minutes, as she laid in my lap, more peaceful than she had been for the last month, I prayed. I thanked God for creating this beautiful creature, for bringing her into my life, for allowing me to take care of her. Then I offered her back to Him.

It was around 10:55 AM when the vet entered for the last time. We took her to that cabinet and laid her on her right side. I got down on one knee to look at her and stroke her chin (her favorite spot for affection) and the top of her head. He then administered the dose of phenytoin/pentobarbital. While I did not see the injection, I did hear something of a whooshing sound.

The wait was not long.

At 11:02 AM, she took her last breath and heartbeat.

The vet left us alone. I took just a couple of minutes looking at her lifeless body, then covered it with a towel, leaving only her head visible. Then I left, after being briefly consoled by the vet.

Post Mortem

May 28 was when her cremains were ready for pick up. I have them. I have her collar and tags. I have her front paw prints. I have photos (which I will share later as an update.) I have memories.

She was part of my life for about 16 years. I was her life all of her life.

There is a quote in both offices that warms my heart.

"Love is a four-legged word."

I hope to see her on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.