For KAFFE: A Bridge Called Love

[kaffe]

A Bridge Called Love

It takes us back to brighter years,
to happier sunlit days
and to precious moments
that will be with us always.
And these fond recollections
are treasured in the heart
to bring us always close to those
from whom we had to part.
There is a bridge of memories
from earth to Heaven above...
It keeps our dear ones near us
Its the bridge that we call Love.

- Author Unknown



We love all our animal companions; every one of them so precious in their own endearing ways...  but sometimes, there is one with whom – we know not why – the heart especially bonds; whose being so completely resonates in ours, there is no disentangling it from our own spirits ... in my life, Kaffe is that cat - the Cat of My Heart, the Apple of My Eye.  I had but to see his familiar orange and white form to feel that all was right with my world; I had but to caress his soft short fur to grasp gladness and gratitude; I had but to catch a whiff of his scent to know warmth and comfort.  Truly, Kaffe was a gift from above – a gift I had to return to the Giver for now – for his renewal and safekeeping.  He waits for me, I’m told. But oh, how I miss him!

[kaffe]

Kaffe was born in Quezon City, Metro-Manila, Philippines - probably in the month of January, 1998...



... just one more kitten among the thousands of starving ferals and strays that wander the streets day and night.



The particular colony he came from produced cats of every color combination possible; having this one distinction - the great majority had malformed and truncated tails...




Kaffe’s truncated tail, folded at the tip, was for me one of his most endearing features.  When he was a kitten, it looked like it had a pompom at the tip – it was so fluffy then.   As an adult, his tail would go thump, thump, thump against my leg whenever we stopped during our “walkies.”  It would go thump, thump, thump when he was impatient, annoyed or excited.  It was a most expressive tail and Kaffe wore it proudly.

[kaffe]

I met Kaffe one night late in February, 1998.  I was a seminary student then, taking my masters in Divinity, Biblical Studies.  That night, I was working on a term paper when one of those “black outs” occurred.  They periodically turned off electric power to the city in those days to help the Philippine economy.  Resigned for the one-hour wait, I sat on my haunches outside where it was cooler.  It was then I felt silken fur rub against my leg.  I reached down and immediately encountered a truncated tail.  A cat lover all my life, I picked up the soft warm bundle and holding it up to my face, greeted the little feline: “Hello – who are you?”  I set him down again, and when I got back to work, he  followed me, curled up next to my chair and stayed with me all night.  From then on, he was mine and I was his and I called him “Kaffe.”



Why did I name him “Kaffe”?  Well... when I was working in Sydney Australia, the Kiwi receptionist used to call out “Kaf-uh-you!” (call for you) when the phone rang for one of us.  The kitten with the truncated tail was a “kaf-uh-you” from above that it was time to open my heart again.  You see, after my beloved cat Pezza ("Pepe") died in Sydney back in 1994, I thought I never wanted to have another cat – the pain of losing them was just too great. But I could not resist this kitten’s song, which was playing on the radio when I observed him sleeping at my feet and then kept playing in my spirit all night.

The kitten's song is in his native Tagalog and took me forever to translate    Would you like to hear it?


http://www.imeem.com/mikesteer17/music/7LyWwuZm/basil_valdez_paraiso


Here is a rough translation of Kaffe's Kitten Song (Paraisong Parisukat [Narrow Paradise])

Here you are sorrowing
in your humble paradise
See how it is overcome with mold and cobwebs
Here I am entreating; open your heart to my mute wooing
A thousand and  one paradises am I offering

Come now my love to the wide open horizon
And greet the bright new dawn
Then shall you feel a burst of stunning brightness
Then shall you touch the haloed rainbow
And all the while and always I shall love you.

my love...

I beseech you: leave it now - your narrow  paradise
A thousand and  one paradises am I offering,
my love...
Here I am entreating; open your heart to my mute wooing
A thousand and  one paradises am I offering...
While I live as long as I live, this paradise is my gift to you alone
My love...[/i]

[kaffe]

Kaffe’s first meal with me was a can of Ligo sardines in tomato sauce.  A seminary student, I was too poor to feed him “real” cat food.  We were in Manila where petfood was ten times more expensive than “people” canned food.  Later, his diet consisted of various canned fish mixed in boiled rice, and yes – Friskies or Whiskas when I could afford it.  Sometimes I shared a meal of roast chicken with him.  But his favorite was fried galunggong – a cheap saltwater fish I buy at the markets.



He was not difficult to feed for he loved to eat.  He would try anything that was on my plate: cabbage, carrot, bread, pizza... His treat was Cheezewhiz.

At this point, I must mention that I also began to feed some strays and their kittens.  But Kaffe knew he was No. 1 Cat and he would announce feeding time to the others with a distinctive meowing call, which always brought the strays and the kittens running to him in abject adoration.  He used to wait until all the other cats were busy at their bowls before he got busy eating from his own.

[kaffe]

The Christmas season is the gayest and brightest in the Philippines when the great cities as well as the small towns are lit up and festooned with bright colorful lanterns; Christmas carols blaring from every shop and window; smiles everywhere even among the poorest.  Filipinos would splurge hard-earned money and bonuses on gifts for family and friends.



Kaffe and I adored the Christmas season.  I loved putting up Christmas decor while Kaffe assisted me by rearranging them constantly!  And of course, we both indulged in non-stop eating.



Kaffe could always be found in the very midst of any Christmas gathering.  He always gravitated towards happy voices and... FOOD! Many times, he even received gifts from doting friends and admirers.

But every Christmas, I thought the Best Gift of all was Kaffe’s presence and continued good health.  For that, I always thanked God.

[kaffe]

Those years in Manila – from 1998 to 2003, were very very happy years for Kaffe and I – despite the poverty of the first three years.  I had a scholarship which covered my tuition and a very, very small monthly allowance for books and school supplies.  I earned extra money here and there and how Kaffe and I got by seems a miracle to me from this distance.  Prior to 2001, there was no way we could have afforded a doctor – for humans or animals, if one of us got sick.  An ancient computer, a double bed and the occasional roast chicken and pizza were our only luxuries.  But our days were filled with warmth, friends, study, God-talk, laughter and of course, kitty power-runs, purrs and massages.  Ah... the kitty-massages... at bed time, Kaffe had the habit of climbing on top of my prone form to knead my tummy or back before he settled down to sleep by my side.  It was a nightly ritual I really looked forward to.  Even though he never learnt to sheath his claws as he kneaded and always pointed his butt towards my face, I always enjoyed the “Kaffe massage.”

[kaffe]

Despite my ignorance  in proper feline nutrition, Kaffe thrived and grew into a strong and handsome cat.



One memorable event in 2000, which I like to refer to as his “Coming of Age” was the afternoon Kaffe whooped the neighborhood’s bully-kitty.  This tomcat used to come around periodically and if he found little Kaffe outside, he would bully and chase the younger cat.  Sometimes it was so bad that young Kaffe would void his bladder and bowels in absolute terror.  Then came one afternoon when Kaffe was 2 years old that the tomcat came visiting and headed straight for Kaffe.  This time, Kaffe stood his ground and with an almighty screech, he leapt 2 feet in the air straight for the tom’s throat.  Kaffe had him in a death grip.  I tried to intervene when I saw that something was being settled between the two cats – they were frozen in place – Kaffe had death in his eyes as he gripped the tom’s throat with his teeth - the tom’s eyes were staring in surprised fear at Kaffe.  Then suddenly Kaffe let go and the tom sped away never to be seen again.  Kaffe had won his first battle and from then on, his confidence as a cat grew by leaps and bounds.  I was very proud of him.

[kaffe]

Of course, “coming of age” meant Kaffe was now sexually active; and he began to gallivant abroad to follow the scent of females in heat.  It did not bother me too much for he used to return within 24 hrs. and the street we were on was never busy.



Then came a day in May 2001 when he did not return as expected.  I was frantic, knocking on doors and asking neighbors if they've seen such-and-such a cat.  I walked up and down the block, calling, calling, searching...   I prayed, I cried, I searched endlessly.  People looked at me askance.



On the tenth day of his disappearance, I went to a church service for it was a Sunday.  I had not been to church for months after graduation, suffering from a malady called Bible-Burn-Out.  I thought Kaffe’s disappearance was a “wake-up call” from God.  And so I went and dutifully lined up at the altar call to offer my prayer request.  The elder asked me, “What would you like for us to pray for?”  With tears streaming down my face, I said,  “I want us to pray for Kaffe; that wherever he is, God will provide for him and keep him safe.”  A minute into the elder’s prayer, I realized he thought Kaffe was a person and was earnestly praying accordingly.   I didn’t have the heart to correct him. But God heard our prayer and I came home to a miracle! When I opened my front door, I heard a familiar high-pitch “meow-meow.”  I ran to my room, looked out the window and sure enough: there was Kaffe!   Oh, Happiness!  Oh JOY!!!

[kaffe]

My surpassing joy quickly turned into grave concern, for Kaffe could not use his hind legs at all.    The filth on his body indicated that he had been crawling back home.  And for the life of me, I still cannot figure out how on earth he was able to scale the 8ft adobe wall that completely enclosed the little alleyway outside my bedroom window where I found him.  Perhaps the angels gave him a hand and a wing in scaling it?  At any rate, I cleaned him, fed him and took him to the vet the next morning.  X-rays showed nothing broken, but the vet said he may not be able to walk again.  I refused to accept that and embarked on my own therapy, which included massaging his back, spine and legs, and stimulating his hind leg muscles.  In one week, I got Kaffe walking wearing a make-shift halter and leash. Back and forth along the driveway, up and down the spiral staircase we went several times a day.  In two weeks Kaffe could run.  After a month, he could jump on tables.    Ever since this episode, I began to think of Kaffe as my Miracle Cat.  This episode also brought home to me the importance of neutering and Kaffe had the “operation.” His energy was then channeled to almost non-stop play.

[kaffe]

Becuase Kaffe stayed home more, his predator self came into full play as he discovered the secret places of the resident rodents. Many hours were spent hunting them and “playing” with them.  I rescued as many as I could.



I remember one particular evening when friends from church were over for Bible study and to welcome a friend from Canada.  We were enjoying our plates of spaghetti when Kaffe decided to flush out a rat from the roof.  With the predator hot on his tail, the rat had no other recourse but to jump into the fishpond that graced the patio where we sat – “plonk!” - to swim and scamper across our feet in his desperate attempt to escape. I tell you, the Gadarene swine could not have run so fast nor screamed more shrilly than we did that night!



And Kaffe?  Why, he preened, cocked his whiskers, flicked his truncated tail and looked down upon us as if to say, “Silly humans – cannot you see that the juicy rodent was supposed to be my contribution to the celebrations? Ingrates!”

[Perseus]

Wow, this is a wonderful tribute to Kaffe that I'm so glad you posted here.  I really enjoyed reading about his beautiful life with you. It has inspired me to post my Persephone's Story, which I will do shortly.

[kaffe]

Shortly after I graduated from seminary came what I now recognize as the Golden Years for Kaffe and myself.  From 2001 to 2003, the halycon days laughed, swirled and danced like a continuous golden Sinakulo Festival, one of the grandest and most colorful festivals in the Philippines.

I was able to secure a couple of academic jobs teaching and writing, and so it was that Kaffe and I and the cats with us were able to live quite well. Finally, I was able to provide proper veterinary care and fortunately, the only health issues were fleas, the odd abscessed wound and recurring ringworm.  At last I was able to spoil and pamper Kaffe as my heart long longed to do. And this former "pusakal" (cat-of-the-streets) readily embraced his new lifestyle as if born to it.

[kaffe]

The trappings of this new lifestyle included regular vet visits; two cat carriers; “real” cat food and a handmade clay dish from which to eat it; blankets; cushions; multi-colored cat harness and leash; supplements; toiletries; toys and later, even a pet sitter we called “yaya” (nanny).



My excessive devotion to Kaffe may have been a result of having nearly lost him once, I do not know.  I do know that Kaffe-the-pampered-cat became widely known among my neighbors and the subject of much fond amusement.  Some referred to him as my “anak-anakan” (substitute child).    



Sometimes, when I would summon Kaffe to come indoors with my high-pitch call: “Kaaa-feeee! Kaaa-feee!,” a chorus of voices in my immediate neighborhood would join in the call: “Kaaa-feee! Kaaa-feee!.”  If the cacophony lasted more then 30 seconds, Mr. Matuti, the neighbor behind me would then yell, pleading: “Kaffe – please answer!”  Yes – in English too!

[kaffe]

Because of the general poverty around me, I was mindful never to overdo the ‘pamperng.’  Hence, there never was a jeweled collar with bells and special tags for Kaffe – there was never a collar, period.  Nor was I ever tempted to dress him up.  One can only tell him apart from the strays by his cleanliness and... ah... rotundness.   His fresh fish remained the humble galunggong.


It is never fun to keep one’s blessings to oneself. And so I made sure that Kaffe shared his blessings with the other cats and that I shared mine by hiring others to help with school papers or with housework.  I would send the house help to the fresh market each week to buy fresh food and lots of galunggong.  She would then cook these in bulk and freeze them.  Came a day she asked me why I ate so much galunggong and I had to tell her it was not for me, but for Kaffe and the other cats.  I did not know that it would deeply offend her to realize she was cooking for cats! She quit not long after that.



But another one took her place – the one we called “yaya,” and this one was a real blessing.  She helped care for the cats and doted on Kaffe.  I once came home to find her on the roof, holding out a fried galunggong, trying to entice Kaffe to come back down with her before he was missed.  The poor woman lived in fear that something might happen to Kaffe on her watch!

[kaffe]

It was not possible to keep Kaffe indoors “24-7” during his first 3 years because the barred windows were not screened and a cat can easily slip through. But when I was finally able to have all the windows screened, Kaffe’s access in or out became dependent on a human hand turning a knob to open a door for him. And since he was a cat, this naturally meant he was almost always on the wrong side of every door. If he was out, then he wants in; if he was in, then of course he wants out!  Opening and closing doors for Kaffe became a major aspect of daily life.  He “commands” the door by stationing himself beside it and pointedly staring at any Human-Unit nearby, sending by mental telepathy (what else can it be?): “Out now – open door!”  If Human-Unit does not respond right away, then Cat-Unit resorts to attention-getting tactics.  I am happy to report, that it was never to the extent of Simon’s Cat (but close):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rb8aOzy9t4