A woman in the US who lost her father believed he was reincarnated and was with her in some sense through her adopted cat Benji. Then, her husband did something so shocking that hundreds of people came to her defense online.
Why did they defend her? Well, what would you do if your wife or husband took your cat to the animal shelter without your knowledge? Then, they lied about it, making up a story that they had taken the cat to a coworker’s house. That would be grounds for divorce for those who understand that pets are family, right?
That’s the subject of a viral Reddit post that made international news. The distraught woman reached out on Reddit for advice, describing what happened. As it turns out, her husband thought her relationship with her adopted cat was “strange and unhealthy,” so he waited until she was on a trip and took the cat to the shelter. Then, he and his coworker allegedly lied so she wouldn’t know the cat was at the shelter.
Adding another level to the story, the woman adopted Benji after her father passed. The cat helped her with her grief, and she felt her Dad’s presence in Benji, like a reincarnation of him. Say what you will about that, but we’ve seen many similar stories where people dealing with losing loved ones found a connection and way to cope with cats. For example, a woman who socialized her late father’s feral barn cats felt a strong connection with him when they began snuggling with her.
People grieve differently, have different beliefs, and need support when losing loved ones or pets. Many of us are now grieving the loss of a beloved cat rescuer. But we are finding some relief through the stories of the many cats she saved that live on.
Was Benji the Reincarnation of Her Dad?
Here’s how the woman described how Benji helped her grieve her later father via Reddit:
“After my Dad passed, I was feeling very down, like I had a hole that I couldn’t fill. I was finding it hard to keep myself busy around the house during the day so I decided to adopt my cat Benji. I rescued him when he was so small he fit in the palm of my hand, and have had him for 2 years. This may sound crazy to some, but I really believe Benji is the reincarnation of my Dad. When I look into his eyes, I feel something more than a cat. Like a cat born with a human soul. All the timing adds up, it all makes sense to me at least. Even if I am crazy the thought brings me comfort and I don’t see anything wrong with it,” she explained.
She truly believes Benji allows her to connect with her Dad’s love. Her husband found that disturbing, but to her, Benji brought her so much comfort.
“My husband thinks this is strange and unhealthy. He says my bond with the cat freaks him out, and makes him uncomfortable that I truly believe he has my Dad’s soul. It’s been two years since he died; Benji really saved me. He’s the best companion I could’ve asked for. I mean, there’s nothing better than being able to cuddle up with an animal that loves you at the end of a long day; though hubby would disagree,” she wrote.
That’s when her husband decided the cat had to go. Big mistake. We all could have told him what would happen.
Image via Facebook/Cole and Marmalade
Benji Ends Up in a Shelter
While the woman went to visit her family, the husband took the opportunity to take Benji out of the equation. She returned home to find her cat gone, and he told her Benji was “staying with a friend,” his coworker. That’s much like the old story of saying the family pet went to live “on a farm.” It wasn’t true, although she would only learn this after that coworker backed up the husband’s story!
“So I called the coworker asking for my cat back, and he tells me my husband gave him away fair and square, and he won’t be returning my cat! My husband had no right, the cat has always been only mine.”
Only later, after the woman called the coworker’s wife, she learned Benji was not there. Instead, she discovered he was at the shelter. Can you imagine how betrayed she must have felt?
Image via Facebook/Cole and Marmalade
Benji Comes Home, but Not with the Husband
Fortunately, she tracked Benji down and brought him home. Then, she took him to live with her supportive family and prepared for divorce. She says the positive comments she received online helped her deal with the “eye-opening” experience.
“I am heartbroken, but also incredibly thankful that my poor boy is now home safe! He was clearly stressed and confused but he is settling in quite well at my sisters. My brother will be picking up any necessities from my house for me, I haven’t been home or seen my husband since I left for the shelter. My family has supported me in my decisions and they are all willing to do whatever it takes to help me when I may need them,” she said.
Maybe the idea of reincarnation was too much for the husband, or maybe he was jealous of Benji’s close relationship with his wife? Either way, he learned the hard way that pets are indeed part of the family, one that he has now sadly lost. We’re glad to know she has a supportive family to help her start over with Benji.
Image via Facebook/Cole and Marmalade
Featured image: woman with cat via Pixabay
