Bloodthirsty Attacker

Who Was Judy’s Bloodthirsty Attacker?

What in the world caused sweet little miss Judy to let out helter-skelter screams of painful terror? What in the world caused the bloody gashings, which poured forth from her body? You might inquire—what in the world is going on at this point—and was she all alone with no one to come to her aid? No, her family did hear and responded in alarm as they heard the blood-curling screams. They ran to her assistance as quickly as possible, but upon reaching her, they sadly recognized they were too late to rescue. Her dear baby granddaughter shuddered and bathed herself in wet tears. Panicked faces shone with regret as Judy presented her bloody self to them. Her most dedicated and loving husband, wanted to wrap her up and rush her to emergency. Would she let him? NO! She wanted her attacker sheltered from all harm before any caring hands handled her. Had Judy lost her marbles as well as her blood? One might certainly wonder why she first desired to protect a bloodthirsty attacker. Did she believe she must reveal Christian love and forgiveness, throwing out any penalty clause? Did she perceive she must bestow grace upon this inhuman renegade and thereby produce a change of character?

Yes, Judy had forgiveness in her heart but for who or what? Can you, the reader, of this true tale even begin to solve this mystery? I will give a few clues to expose this most wicked avenger.

1. It had flesh-consuming fangs.

2. It held sharp nails.

3. It was wild and ferocious.

4. It hid itself.

5. It was three months old.

6. It could fit into the small basket I had just recently bestowed upon Judy for her birthday.

7. It is the most beautiful of its kind.

Are you a riddle wise-Samson who can unfold this ghastly mystery by these clues? Maybe I should assist a bit and kindly reveal that it is a ferocious cannibal-like diminutive creature. It is of the animal family that Judy and I love, which I write stories about. Who loves these cherished animals more Judy or me? Well, that is certainly a toss up! Judy’s precious pretty-petite Miss Maggie Lynn prances about like a princess on parade whereby she holds Judy’s dear heart as my Cassidy and Alfredo hold mine.

You must be burning up with these clues! Yes, her attacker was a three month aged beauty-laden kitten. After the criminal assault, Judy just couldn’t let it be left there at the house all by its lonesome as she thought of only her traumatized self. No, she could not go to an emergency room. Of course not! She had to make sure the thing was safe and in the basket she retrieved from her trunk using the liner to cover and hold down the wretched thing. Yes…that is where she placed the birthday gift I recently gave her. Oh, well; Judy was very thankful it was there.

Here, you might ask, how could such a beautiful feline cause such monumental damage to sweet Judy’s body? Well, I must confess, the untamed thing was absolutely wild and out of control like a netted mountain lion. What instigated this horrendous attack was the fact Judy grabbed its tail. Yes, I know it was silly to seize that sensitive end, but Judy was desperate for something to grasp. She wanted to keep it from perishing in the dark cubby hole of the new house she and her husband were building. She didn’t want it to die in there. You certainly understand. I would hope…especially if you love cats.

Well, when Judy grabbed it by its tail that feline bit right into Judy’s fingers with deep embedded fortitude whereby she couldn’t unlock its jaws. When she finally unclasped its piercing saw-tooth teeth with her disarming maneuvering, it ran all over her with unleashed biting skill. It continued, puncturing deep into the flesh of her wrist and used its claws to viciously slash her body. It just ransacked her whole being with its total little savage self, which left Judy a sorry gory mess as she mercilessly refused to let go of its tail. Later, she was questioned as to why she wouldn’t let go. She explained she knew she was on a mission of rescue.

Don’t worry! Judy recuperated after being properly treated by emergency personnel at the hospital she was finally delivered to. Following recovery, she located the appropriate home for the sweet thing out in the wilderness where nobody will grab its tail again…we hope! It was placed on a person’s property and it can hunt food and has an available water resource.

As a side note, Judy‘s daughter didn’t want her to take the kitten far away, believing the beautiful powerful thing was too good for the wild wilderness with its serpentining and calculating rattle snakes. Judy’s attitude—safety first! Yah right!

Second side note: Eventually, the captured thing did reveal tameness as it was petted by family members including Judy though she cautiously donned gloves. It even attempted to follow Judy as she left it behind in its new desert valley home. Maybe she did rehabilitate it a bit through her mercy-filled, love-pricking heart placed in her by Jesus Christ. (1 John 5:10-13—the Bible)

Val Lee

He Was Dismayed…

 

 

When my husband, Alan, came home from work and walked in the door, he was dismayed…

 

Blood ran on the floor and walls. It appeared to be a bloody crime scene. Worse than what he had ever experienced at work—the prison. Alan immediately called my name. I had arrived shortly before him and walked through, viewing the blood spread throughout much of our home.

 

Our loving cat, Alfredo, had a bump on his forehead, which we assumed would go away. We were totally mistaken. It was a hematoma and it gave way the evening no one was home. He no doubt ran through our home shaking a large amount of blood from his head.

 

Alan and I got on our knees and spent a great deal of time cleaning the carpet, furniture, walls, and vinyl flooring. Alfredo eventually recovered after we drove him to a nearby vet.

 

Our next ordeal with Alfredo arrived about a week ago. He had been in some kind of encounter with another animal and he was having a hard time walking, but still could get around. We felt he had broken or split a bone, but it would mend. Cats usually do. Alfredo had healed previously from a broken leg (another encounter). His leg had been cast, but he wiggled out of it. The vet assured us, he should heal just fine without it. It set perfectly.

 

Saturday, I was in the den with Alan, and I looked down on Alfredo and noticed a small pool of blood. I picked him up and we took him to a new clinic that never closes. He had a very bad abscess (not an injured leg), the worst the vet had ever seen. Alfredo had to go through extensive surgery. The vet told us Alfredo amazed them. He experienced tremendous pain, endured surgery, bandaging and having a cone placed around his head, but he still purred. 

 

We took him home that night around 7:00. He was so happy to be home! He joyously hummed continuously even though he had endured this extreme medical procedure and was hurting. Because he was still bleeding a bit, we placed him in the utility room with a blanket. In the middle of the night, he made lots of racket and yelled in pain. Yes, our poor Alfredo. 

 

Alfredo hated his head cone and bandages. He wanted them off. He was determined and he succeeded in removing the bandages. His bloody tail and hindquarters were completely exposed. We didn’t know what to do that Sunday—Easter. He is a very strong cat and we believed a re-bandage job would also be removed. We went to church and enjoyed a great service surrounding Christ’s resurrection and let it be for the day, as Alfredo appeared to be doing somewhat well.

 

When Monday arrived, Alan asked me to phone the vet. I did, right after Alfredo attempted to remove his exposed stitches. They setup a time in the afternoon, but stated I could come earlier, which I did. They could not believe he was able to remove his bandages while having the cone on. What was also remarkable was the fact he was loudly purring even though I returned him to this building and to the people who had caused him significant pain. The assistant was surprised he kept purring even as she examination him.

 

 

 

The vet eventually joined us and decided he would sedate Alfredo a bit and cauterize his wounds.   He also bandaged him in such a way that Alfredo could not remove it. He also placed a larger cone around Alfredo’s sweet head.

Though Alfredo suffered, he did not desire to harm those who inflicted him with pain.

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday, many people celebrated Easter. This is when Christians contemplate upon the fact that their great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, was pierced through for everyone’s transgressions. He, like a lamb, was taken to the slaughter. The holy Savior was marred and crushed beyond any other man on humanity’s behalf. He never cried out in anger, but lovingly bore our every wrongdoing. He interceded for those who hated Him; forgiving those who placed him on that cruel, painful tree of crucifixion. He poured out Himself through death, being numbered with the transgressors and forsaken by all men.

 

Following His death, he was placed in a tomb. After three days, He powerfully arose from death, revealing victory over the grave (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, John chapters 19-21, Isaiah chapter 53, etc.—the Bible).

 

God suffered and died for us because the human race follows it own path…producing its own drumbeat.

 

Anyone who calls upon God in total sincerity and asks forgiveness of their wrongs, He forgives and renews. He places in those who believe, the Holy Spirit, who enables them to live godly. He provides eternal life in paradise when believers die.

 

Christians still sin, but God always is willing to forgive those who sincerely ask the Father to forgive them in the name of Jesus Christ (1 John 1:9). It is hard for a believer to go through a day without asking forgiveness for something.

 

 

True Cat Story

Cassidy left/Alfredo right

Bird center

 

Cassidy the Complainer

I have read many verses that remind me not to complain about anything but to give thanks in all things. I have contemplated on the fact my cat Cassidy certainly does not represent the proper illustration for teaching believers not to complain. I do not believe Cassidy will ever grasp this concept.  Though Cassidy is my cat, I have to confess she is also a beggar and a whiner—attributes not befitting a Christian; Philippians 2:14. She has to have her own way and no one can argue with her. She will plague you until she gets what she wants.  Sometimes I will tell her just a minute and she will be still and quiet for that minute, but not much longer. If I am not attentive as promised, she will screech and place my nerves on edge.  She knows all the off-key ear-hurting tunes and which ones work best.  

Christians are called not to fuss, complain and worry, as God owns the cattle on a thousand hills and has every hair numbered on our heads.  Nothing escapes His notice including our needs. Everything that arrives in our life is for a reason, to cause us to change and grow.  Every circumstance is to bring us to the place of spiritual maturity.  We are to ensure that we never cease to walk in the fruits of the Spirit. We are to learn to flee fleshly desires and tendencies through our trials and temptations.  One main fleshly desire is to complain. The Bible teaches that the unsaved are grumblers and those who follow sensual lusts (Jude 16) and we must witness the opposite. 

Even though our cat Alfredo is not a believer, and does not own an eternal soul, he is Mr. Easy Going. The Bible teaches that we can learn from critters and Alfredo is one who can teach his observers to simply rest and not fuss.  Cassidy could never teach humans any good thing, I am afraid. Now, I must pause here and change what I have stated to a degree, as Cassidy is very loving towards me.  Unfortunately, her attributes cannot travel farther as she is a snob and partial. She snubs very well. She loves only me and hates everyone else and every critter. She could never love our neighbors as herself, let alone Alan (my husband), our sons or Alfredo. 

Alfredo does not complain about anything and loves everybody and everything. He also is thankful in all things; 1 Thessalonians 5:18.  If he were human, he would verbally give thanks in all circumstances. If he could wear a smile, he would have one pasted on his cute countenance.  He never has a bad day. 

Cassidy’s favorite and only desired pillow is her royal gold one, which she authoritatively lays upon on our waterbed. She sets up a countenance like that of an admired queen. Her posture only lacks a scepter. (Now, I might state here, that Cassidy isn’t as young and fit as in her former days. Please, don’t get me wrong, she can still hunt like a tiger, but she just isn’t as agile as in years past. Sometimes, she will try and jump on our elevated bed, where her gold pillow sometimes lies; but she simply can’t make it up that high at times.  I will see her face for a swift moment popping up, but then down it goes.  She is determined and usually can land her entire self on her second attempt after composing herself.)

Cassidy could never grasp the concept of lowliness—she does believe she is queen.  Believers are to be lowly in mind and action, always exercising humility of mind. This all goes along with not complaining. If we recognize we are deserving of nothing, we accept the fact there is nothing that should distress us. We are called to be nobodies, never desiring to exalt ourselves only Christ Jesus; 2 Corinthians chapter 12. We are always to consider each person as being more important than ourselves, as commanded in Philippians 2:3. We are exhorted to display the lowly and obedient heart of Christ who possessed a heart that was willing to suffer a painful death, placing Himself last and in our stead.  

Val Lee  (Author of Cliques in the Church, Apostasy in the Church, and Queen Esther/Looming Holocaust—see Amazon.com. These books can also be read at http://vallee7.wordpress.com/. I also write and submit photos for Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures http://leesbird.com/ ”Through the Looking Glass of Val Lee”)

True Christmas Cat Story

Cassidy’s Christmas Present

 

Last night while I was doing my Christmas cooking, playing in the dough to present gifts to neighbors, I heard a rustling around the tree.  When I realized it was inquisitive Cassidy, I said “Get away from that tree”—I’m sure you can picture it.

 

She wasn’t swift to obey so I went and sought her out amongst the gifts and there she was…in her gift!  She had pushed the tissue paper back and had a very good peak.

 

A dear friend had brought over a Christmas sack of kitty gifts the other night.  Yes, there was a name tag and all.  I never dreamt Cassidy could read though she is a prodigy! My husband, Alan, even testifies to this fact and it is hard for him to say anything good about Cassidy.  

 

I let her know she could not open it further and placed it in the closet.

 

Now you may ask, how did she know it was for her?  Well, the pushed back tissue revealed a couple of toys, and one had catnip enclosed.

 

Christ Jesus creates critters wise and wonderful.

 

 

 

Val Lee  (Author of Cliques in the Church, Apostasy in the Church, and Queen Esther/Looming Holocaust—see Amazon.com. These books can also be read at http://vallee7.wordpress.com/. I also write and submit photos for Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures http://leesbird.com/ ”Through the Looking Glass of Val Lee”)

Native American Friend

 

 

True Native American

My family enjoyed living across the street from a dear neighbor, who was a widower—Ernie, in Portland, Oregon. He was truly a Native American. He was a tall, agile, handsome Indian; actually part Indian, though I can’t remember from which tribe. Since we all relished the outdoors, we would camp together in Oregon’s fast areas of wilderness. When traveling to our campsite with Ernie, we always ventured the back roads, as he hated freeways. I never complained of the length of time it took to arrive at our destination as I enjoyed these rural routes of scenic beauty.

Ernie came and visited our home frequently in the evening, being a lonely widower. He lost his beautiful bride at a young age and he never remarried. He had been a friend to my grandmother and father (grandfather died when my dad was a young teen). He had watched my father mature into a man. My grandmother eventually went home to heaven to be with her Savior, Jesus Christ. Through it all Dad made sure he continued a man to man relationship with his faithful companion.

Ernie was the best handyman. I don’t think there was anything this old gentleman could not perform in this field. One of ways Ernie implemented his hands on talents was in woodworking. I remember when he constructed a miniature church for my mother who enjoyed assisting in the children’s department of our Baptist fellowship. It was a very nice wooden church that our family all admired. We were not the only ones who took a fancy to it. It also caught the eye of our cute, very young kitten. I am sure he felt it had been designed for him as it was just his size. After looking it over, he slowly ventured in, moving up the aisle. This pussy had a most lovely face and it decided to peak its darling countenance out one of the many windows. It was quite funny to see his cute little face perfectly framed. After so long, however, it developed into a not-so-cute situation, as the little guy was unable to maneuver his sweet face back into the church building. He tried and tried. We as a family tried too, pushing and shoving, but very cautious of not hurting the little thing. Finally, we gave up in great despair. What a conundrum! What to do? Ernie finally came to mind. He would help without any hesitation. He was a handyman and the crafter of the fine little church. Yes, Ernie was the answer. My mother, along with my two sisters and myself, marched the little church with kitten across the street to his house. Ernie analyzed the situation and implemented his handling talents—lengthy hands and gifted brain—to gingerly maneuver the young feline’s face back into the church. It seemed there was little Ernie could not accomplish. We were completely overjoyed and relieved. We had been so afraid that the well-designed petite structure would have to be destroyed. Ernie had placed so much work into it; we couldn’t bear to think of him being hurt by its dismantling.

Over the passing of years, both my parents passed on, but Ernie remained—being afforded many years upon this earth. It came to the place where he could not care for himself and he was moved to a retirement center. My sisters and I visited him a time or two in his new small residence. Finally, he moved out east to be with his son and contact was broken. We still think of him off and on as he was a true friend, neighbor, and Native American.

I never met a better angler. Ernie could catch fish where no one else could obtain a bite. In younger years, he was a great hunter and had climbed skyward into areas that no one else dared for that perfect prized trophy, creating his own paths. We spent many summer nights in the high country with this intriguing story-telling Indian around a campfire.

Val Lee (Author of Cliques in the Church, Apostasy in the Church, and Queen Esther/Looming Holocaust—see Amazon.com. These books can also be read at http://vallee7.wordpress.com/. I also write and submit photos for Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures http://leesbird.com/ “Through the Looking Glass of Val Lee”)