Pabu – The Squeaking Cat
He may look like any kitten to you, but he was ‘Pabu’ to me. This little creature showed me what it was to practice Santosha, the second Niyama or code of ethics that yogis believe is needed for a soulful living. To practice Santosha is to practice contentment with what we have in our lives, even through the many challenges and obstacles that life seems to persistently hurl at us. What truly humbled me was that I learned this life lesson through a tiny little kitten, barely 2 months old. Pabu oozed the charm of a handsome prince, the pride and dignity of a noble knight, the warmth of a bright rising sun, the carefreeness of an innocent child and the unconditional love of a loyal friend.
I adopted Pabu from a pet shelter in mid May. He was rescued a week before from a drain. He had already lost a brother who proved to weak for the parasites that were inside him. Pabu fitted snugly in the palm of my hand and that’s how i carried him home that day. He had a gigantic appetite and i noticed never meowed, but squeaked instead….AKK!!! AKK!!! He was brave, playful and so loving…always wanting to sleep on my chest and frequently attempting to clean my fingers with his mini sandpaper tongue.
Never whining, never crying, never moody, always happy, always loving, always contented…always in Santosha. But behind all the joy and happiness he projected, Pabu was actually a sick cat and his health was slowly deteriorating (later, much to my surprise and dismay). Pabu slept on my chest throughout the last night and in the morning he politely refused his food. Later he walked over to my salt lamp, sat and stared directly at the light, as if being absorbed into it. I placed a folded cloth next to it so that he could lie down and went out, making a mental note to bring him to the vet when I returned a few hours later.
Unfortunately, when I came home, Pabu was already gone. He breathed his last breath at the same place I left him. I am happy just to have provided him a comfortable home, a full belly and constant companionship during his last weeks.
R.I.P Pabu
April – 2 June 2010
Always loved and remembered by your human friends.
