Kitty

Kitty was about 20 years old, and she did very well right up to the end.

I took her in when she was approximately three years old. The woman who was using her for breeding was going to put her to sleep. Even though I'd never met Kitty until she came to live with me I figured at least this poor unwanted cat will have a chance with me. She was ill at first (from being over-bred) but quickly got well under a vet's care.

Kitty and I fell headlong in love with each other. She lived with me for more than 17 years. She was my constant little buddy, sleeping under the covers always on my left side every night for all those years, hanging out with me at home, greeting everyone who came to visit, amusing us with her funny little ways, providing life with grace and beauty. And she put up with a wide variety of babysitters on the nights I wasn't home.

She lived with me in an apartment and then a house with my husband, then she moved with me to another state when my marriage fell through, and finally to one more house after that. She was my little love through good times and challenging times, through long evening and weekends spent on projects at home and for work, and while I tried to figure out all kinds of things.

Kitty latched onto my boyfriend from the start. I liked him at first but I was a little nervous about going into a new relationship; not Kitty, she took to him immediately more than she ever did with anyone else. And he was equally smitten with her. His presence really enhanced her life - she was happier because of him and he truly doted on her. They knew each other for seven very happy years.

Fortunately, we were both home when she became so ill. She got worse very quickly, despite the doctor's efforts, and we both held her while the vet administered the euthanasia. That was sad sad sad.

Sometimes I think I can hear her footsteps on the stairs at home.... We're moving soon, but we will take her ashes with us.

Someday I will live with another little best friend, but there will never be another Kitty. She gave beauty, warmth, comfort, laughter, joy, patience, and love. Always love. I was very lucky to have her in my life.

Farewell, Little Sweetheart.