The Unconditional love of Mahnoor

Asem Mustafa Awan: They are cute fur balls with a mind of their own. Mahnoor, in her teens, treats them with care and compassion. They respond to her commands, following her around.
It all happened a couple of years ago when she started feeding a stray cat that sat by her window. Since then it is her unfathomable love for them is duly reciprocated by these lovable furry creatures. Obviously, Mahnoor loves them very much.
Mahnoor has named them with Chiko being the oldest one and Bhalo being the youngest. “I love them and they are very important for my emotional well-being. Returning from school they are the first ones to greet me and they make my day.
Mahnoor is studying A levels Business in Roots Ivy and plans to do an internship at the local shelter near her house.
“I want to learn to understand their needs. I know when they are playful and naughty but I need to be able understand and cater for their pains and anxieties. I want to be with people who understand them better,” said Mahnoor, who will have a summer break in a couple of months.
“I spend all my pocket money on them and I wish I had more but there is another pressing need that requires attention as I am also looking after a stray female dog which has many issues. It is strange that the stray female dog and cats get along very well and the dog even protects them from other strays if they come near,” said an 18 year old who aspires to be a financial expert.
“I want to write a blog about them but I am hard-pressed owing to my studies and seeing them play and jump around elevates my mood,” said Mahnoor. “I have made a small shelter for the dog but I am a little apprehensive as I have never kept a dog before. I hope the people at the shelter will give me the relevant advice regarding how I should proceed from there. I just feed her and she is always there when I come out from home.”
“It is all love and care and they respond to it in the same way,” concluded Mahnoor. The moral of Mahnoor’s warmth and  touching story: Love, compassion and care does not go a miss even on animals. Certainly, it will not miss on our fellow humans. There are millions in our society who could do with the warmth, compassion, and care.

The writer is a journalist based in Islamabad and writes on a wide range of issues.

Photo Credit: Asem Mustafa Awan