Chuckisha Mills

1994-2008

Being deeply inspired, I write these philosophical thoughts regarding my beloved feline pet, the late, Chuckisha Mills.

When God created the Garden of Eden approximately 6,000 years ago, it was man who first discovered and inhabited it. From the beginning, man shared this paradise-abode with animal life. This ancient relationship between man and animal may have been the earliest stage of the scientific academic: “anthrozoology.”

The term, “anthrozoology” comes from the Greek word anthropos, meaning human, and the Greek word zoon, meaning animal. The first meaningful relationship that man engaged in inside the Garden, besides with God, was befriending animals. Animals were around in man’s life before woman. In fact, according to the biblical record, Adam was friends with animals before he met his wife Eve.

Until this very day, the bonds that we humans share with our pets are unbreakable. They become family members. We shelter them, we feed them, and we name them. The scriptures say that God brought the animals to Adam to see what he would name them.

“Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name.”
– Genesis 2:19 NASB

Having observed that this was the case in the beginning of time, it is now clear to me why the bond Chuckisha and I had, was unbreakable and beyond comprehension. Just maybe, anthrozoology can explain why I carry this tremendous grief and pain in my heart. This sorrow I am contending with came as a result of the sudden death of my beloved cat (Chuckisha).

It was there, at an animal shelter, when I first laid my eyes upon her. I immediately called her Chuckisha (a.k.a. Chucky), a feminine name for Charles. You see, Charles is a friend of mine. He helped me to rescue Chuckisha from this animal shelter. I thought it was, therefore, highly appropriate that I would name Chuckisha after him.

When I first brought her home, I noticed that there was something different about her. I immediately noticed that she was much different from any other cats that I have seen. Her intellect was that of a three year old. No matter what area of the house I was in, if I called her name, she would come running to me. She was not "like a family member." She was family!

Whenever I would talk to her, she would respond back with a meow. She would do everything you would expect a dog to do and more. She was loving and kind, and every animal she met, she wanted to mother. The interaction she and I had was uncanny. My memories of her are even more remarkable.

Chuckisha became quickly very ill due to liver failure. I am sad about her passing, although every day I am thankful to the Lord God Jesus for blessing me with fourteen years of her sweet soul, and with our outstanding friendship. If anyone who reads this blog can get anything out of it, I hope that it will be this. Hold your animals close to you, and make sure you take them to the veterinarian often. Doing so can add years to their lives and joy to your own.

Because I believe in God, I also believe in a literal Heaven, and I can say rest in Peace Chuckisha! I will see you again some day!