Annie

Annie RIP Dec 2014-Jan 24, 2016

 

Annie came to me in a rice sack on my birthday (Feb 1, 2015). My friend said he picked her for my present because she was the meanest kitten (Cameroon humor) And she was mean but the way cats are treated here, of course she is mean. She spent 2 days in that sack, not wanting to come out but 3 weeks later with the help of my postmate, she became my friend. I named her Annie, short for Anniversaire (birthday in French)

I tried to keep from loving her too much because its Cameroon and not many animals or people live long here. But I couldn't help loving her when she curled up on my stomach to watch a movie, let the kids cuddle with her, when she caught the many creepy things in my house or when she literally never stopped meowing which kept me sane when I was homesick. The children grew to love her and trust her, which is amazing when most Cameroonians are scared of cats and dogs. They liked to dangle the cat toy for her to play with and eventually got the courage to give her hugs.

Well I was reminded today that I am in Cameroon. I was on the train when Amadou called to say he found Annie dead this morning. He said she had played with him the day before so whatever happened whether she ate a mouse with poison in it or something else, it happened last night and I am hoping it was a quick death.

When I got back today my neighbors looked sad but death is so frequent in Cameroon and this was just a cat. They told me not to cry. I sat in my empty house shedding my tears when Guyia and Dada came in to give me a hug and say “Ashia” (sorry). Maybe they understand that it is sad or more probably that I am American and all Americans cry when their animals die.

I don't know what I will do when I go to bed tonight without her curled up next to me or when I don't hear her "meow good morning" tomorrow.

Peace Corps is not easy but it is easier with a roommate that will cuddle and doesn't say much or at least not much in English or French. My last 9 months of service are going to be different. Amadou buried Annie in the garden today. I knew I would leave a piece of my heart in Cameroon, but I didn't know I would leave this much of it.

PS The day after Annie died my neighbor’s cat started coming to visit me whenever I felt down. Somehow animals know when you need them.