He was the tiniest of three kittens born to Doodlebug. Raymond was half the size of his siblings, but filled with determination. We had doubts that this little runt could survive, but Raymond was to prove to us all that the size of his body wasn't important. It was the size of his heart that counted, and Raymond was no runt in that department!
That wondrous day arrived when kittens open their sparkling curious eyes. Little Raymond's right eye was sightless, and his left eye covered with cataracts. We knew that if he could see at all, it would be only light and shadow. The vet said that Raymond wouldn't live very long, probably less than a year. He was frail of body, but not of spirit. We decided that we would just love him dearly, and enjoy him for as long as God entrusted him to our care.
Raymond got away with murder! Our other cats might swipe or hiss at each other for petty or imagined grievances, but they all treated Raymond as if he could do no wrong. When he climbed right over our "big bad Dobermans", who occasionally like to mumble growls at our other cats, they just took it in stride. He would scamper over their faces, steal their food... nobody minded. When we saw how he was ALWAYS treated gently by our other pets, no matter how obnoxious he was being, we would turn to each other, laugh and exclaim, "Everybody Loves Raymond!".
In the summer of 1996 the television season began to promote their new shows. We had known for almost a year that "Everybody Loves Raymond", and now they were even proclaiming it on T.V.! Each time a commercial came on advertising the new situation comedy - we knew, even if they didn't, that they were REALLY talking about our special little cat.
Raymond surprised us all with his tenacity. Soon he would race around the house tilting his little head so he could gauge his whereabouts. I heard him maneuver around furniture before the eventual halt to appraise a new obstacle and I laughed when I imagined him with a pirate's patch on that right eye.
Then one memorable day my husband excitedly called out, ñBabe, Come quick - into the kitchen! Raymond's on top of the refrigerator!î There he was, tiny little fella, almost completely blind, and yet he had managed to jump to the highest pinnacle in the house - his Mt. Everest. From that day on there was no stopping him, as he had conquered the world!
Climbing became Raymond's specialty, and he never failed to meet me at the wooden doors to my laundry room, and proudly pulled himself up slat by slat to perch on top of it and keep me company. Of course, when he reached the top he would proclaim his victory with a little song that made everyone in the house pay attention and applaud his efforts.
He salvaged deli cups from the trash and pranced in rapid circles around the living room with them in his mouth, the container covering his head. We would hold our sides laughing, and he got great satisfaction from being our little clown. Then he would drop the cup at our feet, and I could swear he took a little bow!
At night he would curl in the crook of my arm, but would never settle down until I leaned over to touch his little uplifted nose to mine. That was Raymond's kiss.
Raymond has been a true source of inspiration. When my husband was in pain from a severe back injury, Raymond would glide up onto his chair to comfort him, or do tricks to make him laugh. When I was injured and thought I just couldn't go on in physical therapy, my husband would say, "You can do anything you decide to do Babe... just look at Raymond!"
The stubborn determination of that tiny little cat reminded us always that if you really put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything. Like Raymond, you too can jump to the top of the refrigerator!
No obstacle was insurmountable, as Raymond had the will and the persistance to conquer anything that stood in his path... and he was just one tiny blind cat. But he was a tiny blind cat who taught me an important lesson - one I hope I never forget. So when life puts a "refrigerator" in my path, I just think of a 4 1/2 pound feline I had the privilege to know, summon my courage, and JUMP!
Raymond defied predictions, and lived to almost reach his sixth birthday. He was never thwarted by his many physical problems, but continuously brought us joy, hope, laughter... and love. Although short by many standards, his life cannot be measured in years, because that doesn't do it justice. He impacted us all in a way I can't possibly describe, because he was filled with courage and humor and determination. And even though he lost his final battle to survive just hours before I wrote this story, I know I will never never forget him.
Just half a dozen years ago we got a precious gift,
A little cat named Raymond... our spirits he did lift.
His nose touched mine, for one last time, as if to say good-bye.
I held him in my arms tonight, and watched my Raymond die.
Everybody loved Raymond
by Terece Lewis
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