It’s been nine years now, but I frequently
think of a beloved pet that passed away
on this day in 2006. He was a dear furry
friend and “cat-companion.” Yes, I have
another, and she’s a sweetie who keeps
me company, but it’s just not the same.
You could say it was a type of “first love”
with my previous buddy: he’s the one
I’ll never forget. In any event, as today
is the anniversary of his passing, once again I offer the following
remembrance. It’s the same every year, with minor updates.
___________________________________
IN MEMORIAM
Twenty-plus years ago, when I was living in Indianapolis, Indiana, I discovered
a stray cat sleeping now and then in an unused dog house in my back yard. As
time went on, I saw him more frequently, and I began to set out some food. Occasionally, I’d come home from work, and there he’d be out on the patio.
At first, I’d let him in, he’d ever-so-casually walk around the room, and then
head back out. 
Slowly but surely, he became a regular visitor. Eventually, he’d come inside, eat, take a nap on
my couch, and go back out. Soon we became a team. It always seemed he
knew when I’d just gotten home, for he’d show up within minutes. Other times, if I didn’t see him right away,
I would soon hear him. There’d be meowing coming from one direction
or another, and all I had to do was meow back, and he’d come running. There were many times when I came home, and he’d be at the patio door, waiting patiently to come in. And if
I’d just had a long hard day, I’d lie
on the floor, he’d sit sphinx-like on
my chest, and we’d have ourselves a little cat nap. Before long, I’d come home,
let him in, and he’d stay until the next morning, when I’d be awakened by his meowing to be let out. As cats go, it was a match made in heaven. When I
moved to New York, he came with me. On the plane, in the cabin. In fact,
during the next several years, whenever I’d go back and forth to Indianapolis,
he went with me. He didn’t mind flying. I’m sure being in that cramped carrier, “placed under the seat in front” of me per airline regulations wasn’t the greatest, but he knew that I was right there. Several times I took him out (unbeknownst to the flight attendants, of course), and he’d quietly and calmly sat in my lap.
He’d even look out the window. As I said, we were a team. In any event, to make this long story short…the point of all this is that, eight years ago today (July 28) my beloved pal, this dearly-loved cat, who had essentially adopted me, passed away. He’d never been sick a day in his life, yet suddenly he became ill and was gone in no time. It was utterly devastating. And horribly heartbreaking.
Kitty-Pooh, 1992-2006
Since those early days in Indianapolis, he had been my constant companion. He went from being a mostly outdoor cat to being a completely indoor one. He went with me from one state to another, and from one apartment to another and then another. There was even that short time spent in Jersey (what I refer to as my homeless period). He was there as I navigated the trials and tribulations of life in the Big Bad City. Not to mention all the ups and downs of pursuing an acting career. He was there, too, when my parents passed, first one, then the other. And the loss of my beloved dog, Casey. In short, for nearly 14 years he was the one constant in my life. And so, this is in honor of my beloved pal. You were the bestest cat I could ever hope for. My handsome fella. Mon copain. My gift from God. You were dearly loved and are greatly missed.
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nap time!
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