 Bubby Twenty two years ago, we met our once-in-a-lifetime pet. And now we will begin missing him for the rest of our lives. To people who have not had the pleasure of knowing the affection of a perfect pet, I cannot hope to convince you of his place in our hearts. To those who have been blessed and whose pets have gone, we share your loss.
For us it was a Siamese cat. He was the focus of our family, he made our house a home, he was the light of our life. He was a wise teacher who always knew how to sort out life's complexities and reduce them to one basic philosophy: hold the cat.
He was a black hole for affection. He could absorb all the attention you could give him and mirror it back like a million suns. A perpetual affection machine. To him, everyone was a walking lap. Everyone had something to give. He would remind you of that potential by jumping in your arms and making you sit down.
Hold the cat.
He centered our universe.
His philosophy later broadened to "hold the cat, feed the cat" but you couldn't just fill up a bowl and leave it for him. Your opposable thumbs weren't being put to their fullest potential until you held the cat and cuddled him. In return he would accept your affection for as long as you were willing to give it. He never got tired of being loved or loving. He always had time for you. He knew how to hug you arou nd the neck, and whisper secrets in your ear, and pull your hand down to discover another spot that needed your attention. He could slip onto your lap without your knowing it and velcro himself to you. He made you late for work.
Hold the cat. Pet the cat. BE the cat.
That was more important than work. It was more important than anything. It was love and he let you feel it.
And we will remember our once-in-a-lifetime soul mate.
(please view my photo album & slide show)
Professional acknowledgements: Enya - "Ebudae", Jackson Browne - "I'm the Cat", & KenMar Photography, Inc. - Appleton, WI |
