In Remembrance

Remembering All the 9/11 Victims

Today is 9/11, Patriots' Day, when we remember those who gave their lives in the awful attacks against our nation in 2001. The heroes, as well as the innocent victims.

Much has been written about the dogs who were heroes on that day and in its aftermath. But little attention has been paid to the cats who were innocent victims. Several perished in nearby buildings that also fell with the towers. Some were loved by people who died in the three attacks, perhaps waiting days for rescue by a friend or family member. Others were stranded in their homes for several days without food or water as those who lived near the site of the towers could not return home. And still others, street cats, were left in the dust and ashes of the buildings, frightened and alone, to fend for themselves.

There were no kitty TV news reports to inform these cats about what was going on, but cats have their own ways of communicating and knew something was amiss. They picked up on the fear in the air, and were likely aware of the souls departing this plane of existence. They had to breathe the same choking, dust-filled air from the fall of the towers. Some may have even been aware of their owners' spirits visiting them.

So as you pause this morning to remember the human victims of the 9/11 attacks, think also of the feline victims. Silent, watching, and waiting. They may not have led any rescue teams into fallen buildings, but the events of 9/11 affected them, too.