My Grateful Tab RANGO

It was a downpour August 1995. I was on my way to Cubao to take a bus going to Baguio City. I was doing my postgraduate studies every Saturday then in Saint Louis University. I was nearing Victory Liner station when I heard kitten cries under an overpass. I went to check it and I saw 2 abandoned kittens. They've got colds, their eyes were covered with their morning glories and they were soaked under the rain. I was always prepared in times like this. I always carried with me extra cloth (face / hand towels), water and food. I picked up the 2 kittens and luckily there was a shoe store nearby. I bought a box, fixed the cloth there and placed the 2 abandoned kittens inside. On my way to Baguio, I dried and cleaned the 2 fellows, gave them food and made warm bed for them. They stopped crying. They slept inside the shoe box, on my lap.


After Saturdays and my postgraduate schooling, I meet with my younger sister, Shirley and youngest brother, John Karlo who were both doing their engineering studies in Saint Louis University. Then comes Mommy on Sundays to visit us. I handed the box over to her and she knows exactly what were inside. My brother gave names to the kittens. The female kitten was named Ming (she was tri-colored). While the male kitten was named Gorang (he was a biscuit brown). He was named that way because he wasn't as cute and adorable as Ming. Gurang means old and ugly.


I've rescued no less than 20 cats in 3 years. All of these I gave to Mommy for her care. Mommy is a feline lover herself. Daddy and Mommy's place in Manaoag is the best place to raise pets. They lived in a farm.


A couple of years later, and several new cats as additions, Ming grew up so beautifully. Gorang, on the other hand has morphed into a dashing biscuit brown tomcat. He doesn't deserved the name Gorang anymore. My brother changed it to RANGO (just invert Gorang to Rango) and he personally took good care of Rango. 


2004, 9 years human age or 63 feline years for Rango. Ming has left the clan already and went to have a family of her own with her found true love and his human family. While Rango stood to be the father for the rest of Mommy's cats. 


It was a downpour late night August 2004 when Mommy heard kitten cries under the cupboard. She got up and went downstairs to check. Rango brought home 2 kittens and had rescued the fellows from the rain. Rango was drying (leaking) them on his personal bed (an old chair covered with foam and old cloth). Rango was worried and as if asking for Mommy's help. Mommy helped Rango dried the kittens and gave them milk to drink. Rango never left the 2. They all had wonderful days ahead. 


Rango was no longer at the pink of his health. Rheumatism hit him. And before the cats he once rescued could have families of their own, Rango passed away. Mommy dug a hole in one of the shady mango trees and laid Rango's body there.


Who could have said that pets like cats just eat, play and sleep all the rest of their lives? Who would have thought that such creatures could return the same favor(s) they once had from others? 


Here you go Rango. I made this just for you. You've inspired me to write your life story long ago and it took me years before I could finally write this. I'll never forget you. You've gone where no other cats have gone and you've done not most cats would have done. This one's for you my grateful tab. My Rango.

photo courtesy from chris pagalanan
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