I was sharing a quiet Valentine's afternoon with a good friend. Jacob's invitation to get together was issued with compassion and kindness. I had just lost my dear friend and roommate. Sonja was a beautiful, affectionate cat who died after nearly a decade together. She was more than a cat, of course. She was my friend. There was no warning and I missed her so much.

1. An Unexpected Gift
I was sharing a quiet Valentine's afternoon with a good friend. Jacob's invitation to get together was
issued with compassion and kindness. I had just lost my dear friend and roommate. Sonja was a
beautiful, affectionate cat who died after nearly a decade together. She was more than a cat, of course.
She was my friend. There was no warning and I missed her so much.
I was adding some decadent whipped topping to two cups of freshly made cocoa when Jacob came
darting through the kitchen doorway.
“Zanne, you've got to come see this! Hurry up!”
Shadowing him all the way to his terrace, we both stepped out into the cold to be greeted by a beautiful
rainbow.
“Isn't it awesome? Do you know what it means?” he asked with boyish delight.
I saw pure joy and innocence in him, in that moment. And, I felt the innocence in my own soul. Spotting
a rainbow is always like discovering a surprise gift from above. Even his black Labrador, Dude, was
wearing a toothy smile.
“Yes, of course,” I replied, “It's a reminder of God's promise. It's about life going on. It's about love.”
As we stood there together, like Precious Moments figurines, I silently gave thanks for the time I had
with Sonja. I admit that I caught myself wondering if she had something to do with the rainbow's
appearance. Maybe it was a sign that she made it to the other side and life was beautiful there. Who's
to say it isn't so?

2. The day passed far too quickly. It always does when we were together. I waited indoors while Jacob
went out to brush the snow from his car so he could drive me home. When he came back, he stood in
the doorway with a sunny smile that was even bigger than earlier. He didn't speak. He just held the door
wide open and waited. He peeked around the corner and into the hallway for a few seconds and
returned to his original stance.
Did my dear friend lose his mind? What was making him beam like that? Then, she came slowly around
the corner, a white, scraggly feline. Well, she was supposed to be white. She had so much dirt and
grease on her that I had to imagine what she'd look like after some grooming and a few good meals.
She looked extremely malnourished. Her sides were concave. Long, white hairs went flying from her dull
coat every time she took a step. She was amazingly docile and very ready for somebody to help her in
her plight. Homelessness isn't only rough on humans, you know. She scratched her ears to give chase to
the mites.
She looked up at me with questioning eyes; one was powder blue and the other was earthy green. I
made my own promise that day to be worthy of such a special gift by loving her for her whole lifetime. I
named her Candy because she was sent to me on Valentine's Day. I kept my promise until she went on
to her new life seventeen years later and beyond.
We had grown extremely close during those years. She was my greatest confidante. I could trust her
with my deepest secrets. We shared mealtimes and movies. She brought me more joy than I could ever
describe. There is no void in my heart because she's permanently entrenched there. I did miss her
physical presence, though. I still do. I always will.
I prayed for a sign of what I could do in her memory. The answer soon came to me. A gift for a gift. Every
day, people lose their pets. Sometimes they go naturally from old age like my Candy did. Sometimes,
they die from fatal injuries. Some are euthanized because the owner can't afford medical treatment.
The director of the animal clinic was skeptical, at first. It's completely understandable. I overheard the
receptionist tell him that a woman was waiting to give him a cash contribution. His questioning eyes
reminded me of someone I had met long ago. I explained my mission. Money couldn't save my dear
Candy but it might help to save a sick or injured pet for someone else. There were a few stipulations:
The money was to be used to help somebody who couldn't afford the care.
The pet should have an excellent prognosis with medical intervention.
I had to remain anonymous.
The director had free rein to select the recipient.
A call came in about an hour after I arrived home. The director wanted to know if the money had to be

3. used to save a cat. Well, a life is a life. A cat, a dog, a bird...it makes no difference. After assuring him
that it was intended for any animal who would likely die without it, he told me about Samson. He was a
black Labrador puppy who had just been brought in. He had broken away from his owners and ran into
the street. The driver couldn't stop in time.
The young couple had no savings. They were distraught at the thought of losing their puppy for the lack
of money. Samson needed emergency surgery for a fractured leg, hip and pelvis. Without it, he would
have to be euthanized. But, wait...there was an unusual, unexpected gift. And, yes, what incredible
timing!
A follow-up 'Thank You' note arrived from the clinic a few days later. The surgery was a success. The
couple couldn't believe that a stranger's intervention saved their Samson. They promised to find some
way to help another pet owner. The clinic board was inspired to schedule a meeting to establish a new
policy. Going forward, the veterinarians decided to donate their surgical services in emergency
situations.
With my mission accomplished, I walked to the window and looked out at the frozen pond. My breath
caught for a moment. There was the most beautiful rainbow I've ever witnessed in my life and it was a
double delight. It was reflected in the ice! Of course, I smiled. There's nothing quite like an unexpected
gift. Sonja and Candy? Who's to say it isn't so?
Story by: Zanne Lamb-Hunt
From: USA
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