[dropcap]M[/dropcap]y great-grandfather Charles Lee Burgess, Pappy, was blind. He had a huge support team that included a seeing-eye cat, named Tom. Pappy was not born blind. His sight worsened as he aged and cataracts were not as easily treated. There was a stigma to being blind and he was a teacher with a reputation to uphold. He started to memorize everything he could at work and home. His wife, my Mimi helped him learn everything he needed and no one outside of the family knew for years.
It was after he had retired that they took in a cat and named him Tom. Tom was just an ordinary cat, but he realized what many humans had not, that Pappy could not see. Tom took it upon himself to be Pappy’s eyes. He was a lap cat when needed for comfort and a guide when needed for mobility. He and Pappy were best friends.
Like other seeing eye cats he was not the first of his kind, nor the last. He is just the most special to me because of the impact he made on the life of a man I loved and who had given his all to his students over the years. I will never know or fully be able to appreciate the daily challenges my great-grandpa faced. Writing on a chalkboard while blind and getting away with alone is monumental.
I have no doubt that Pappy knew what Tom looked like. He knew what I looked like by loving feeling and exploring my face. I can not help but think he did the same with his cat.
Those of us with therapy pets have a special bond. Another awesome thing about Pappy and Tom is that when the cat was around it gave my Mimi peace of mind. She could cook and clean and do things for herself without worrying about her husband.
I believe that when Pappy passed and went to Heaven he was able to see Tom with his own eyes. I also believe that even though Pappy can see, Tom still never leaves his side.