My Favourite Kitten, Morab

Morab, my beautiful kitten, beloved one of my family members made whole members grieve when she found her family circle and bade us farewell on 19^th July 2012. She was the only survivor of the three kittens given birth by their mother. The other two succumbed to strange disease, which the Veterinary doctor could not detect, in the cold month of February 2012. Morab was the most beautiful of the three. So, we named her Morab meaning ‘the beautiful’.       

She was handed over to her new owner with heavy heart and lots of kisses of love. It was not without difficulty. Our eyes, my wife and mine, became filled with tears that blocked our vision. When she was taken from us she uttered ‘maio’ as if like telling us that she is going away from us. We could not summon courage against our emotions to look after her when she was literally taken away from us by her new owner saying that she will take good care of Morab. The separation was almost like parents separating from their beloved children because the close bondage we had with Morab was not less than parents and children.

One may ask why then did we separate from each other’s company. The reason was unfortunate. Her mother gave birth to another three kittens. All three are seen like females. Morab herself reached the stage where she can conceive any time. It was foreseen that our house may become breeding centre of cats. Kittens stay only with us. It does not enjoy staying in the separate rooms once it becomes acquainted with us. Moreover, Kittens defecate everywhere. It emits foul smell. Such smell is not welcoming especially to the outside guests. This simple reason prompted my wife and me not to object to new owner when she came to ask for it.

Later I realized that we could have at least waited to get consent from our elder daughter who loves animals more than anybody in the family. Once when Morab became sick and denied to take anything, she wept quietly and denied to take her meals. We thought that even our eldest daughter would fall sick. Fortunately, Morab became alright which returned my daughter’s joy and appetite. Same thing may not happen this time and I must not let it happen. The first thing she asked when she came home from school was ‘where is Morab?’ She knows that Morab gets inside the house along with her when she comes from school normally.  Mother and I were guilty, we could not say anything. Standing quietly for sometime waiting for our response, she understood the matter. She went to her room, placed her books in front and was pretending to write home works in our presence. However, her eyes were red and watery. I went near her and consoled her by saying that all three kittens we have at present are hers and that all three will not be given to anyone.

Nothing remains firm forever. Looking at my family’s exceptional love for animals, infliction of unbearable pain of separation, and the prick of suffering from indecisiveness make me feel that I will remain good but not become too close with any animal hereafter.