Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: CHECKING IN OR OUT (hotel/motel on vacation) (08/27/15)
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TITLE: The Necessary Lie | Previous Challenge Entry
By Gary Ritter
08/29/15 -
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The resort for our planned stay didn’t allow pets. There was no way we could contemplate leaving Stoli in a kennel. We’d never done that and wouldn’t do it this time in her condition. In the past we’d had the son of friends watch her, but if something happened because of her health, that wasn’t fair to him. Finally we agreed: we’d have to take Stoli with us, smuggle her into the room, and hope for the best.
Some pets travel well and others don’t. Lucky for us Stoli accepted the car, the motion, and the awkwardly placed litter box with equanimity. We placed the litter box on the floor behind the passenger seat making for a tight fit, but Stoli’d seen much of what a cat could see in her long life and had no issues with it.
On our first night of the two-day drive we stayed at a motel that, naturally, didn’t permit pets. Tough. We were committed. We stuffed Stoli into her travel carrier – her personal RV – threw a towel over it and secreted her in the side door. No problem. She didn’t make a sound and the next morning we left with no one the wiser.
Later the next day we arrived at our resort destination. I use the term “resort” loosely. Obviously a beach motel in a former life, it had been converted into a resort for people seeking sand, sun, and surf, but not high rent. Checking in they didn’t ask and we didn’t tell. Again, with a bit of subterfuge we moved Stoli’s RV into our quarters with our typical clandestine maneuvers.
Stoli survived the trip with little apparent discomfort. The room provided some initial amusement for her as she sniffed out new and exciting smells, but she soon tired. Just as she did at home she found a comfortable spot and slept.
We arrived on the weekend so didn’t anticipate discovery by resort staff. Our concern was more with fellow guests in case Stoli decided to make herself known. She hadn’t made a peep – er meow – yet, but one never knew.
On Monday we left for several hours. Not long after we returned we heard a knock. I opened the door and smiled at the manager. He said, “Do you have a cat in the room?”
What was I to do? As a Christ-follower I make every effort not to lie. Of course, we’d effectively lied when we signed in. No doubt somewhere in the fine print we’d agreed not to harbor a pet on the premises. My heart beating rapidly, I nodded and said, “Yes.”
He explained they couldn’t allow us to stay with our cat. We could board her and remain, or depart. I saw no sense in making a fuss. Somehow the manager had learned of our deception. Our hands were dripping red. I told him we’d have to leave. I was courteous to him; he was gracious to me.
An hour later we self-consciously walked into the front office. As we settled our bill the manager said, “We normally charge a $100 fine for anyone caught with a pet. Because you didn’t argue or make a commotion I’m not going to add that fee to your statement.”
I expressed our appreciation for his kindness and we began the long drive back to Illinois, our vacation significantly foreshortened.
Stoli held on for a couple more months making it to the age of twenty. We had to carry her up and down the stairs as her legs failed. One morning we brought her to her water bowl and she couldn’t even drink. We knew that was the end. Dalia and I sat on the floor with her and spoke to her gently, occasionally stroking her. She died surrounded by our love.
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This is a true story.
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My heart goes out to you, but I applaud you for how you cared for your baby and loved her until the very end.
Oh my heart is aching...
God bless~