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Spot, the Wonder Cat was 20 years old. At least. He arrived on our patio in 1992, fully grown.
He wandered away from our front yard on October 24, 2011—ancient and listless. We haven’t seen him since. I like to imagine he’s meandering in the nearby field in search of mice, having adventures and stretching sinuously in the sunshine.
I’m not sure if Spot was on his first life or his ninth. But I am sure he lived each day to the kitty fullest.
Spot was my writing buddy. He followed me upstairs every morning and climbed onto the window sill over my desk. He commented on my plots, assessed my research and moaned at my third-grade humor. I miss him.
During one of my book writing breaks many years ago, I wrote this poem to Spot. My daughter always said it was the best thing I’d ever written.
Thanks, Nicole. Spot—I hope you like it, too.
KITTEN SONG
Kitten sitting in a window.
Eyes like slits.
Whiskers twitch.
Gentle motor starts up slow
Singing to the world below.
Oh, to know such kitten pleasure.
Pink foot curls.
One ear twirls.
Dream the kitty dreams you treasure.
Live the kitty life of leisure.
What does every kitten cherish?
Sleep and dream?
Hunt and scheme?
Listen quick to sounds that vanish!
Did you see it? Small and brownish?
Now you have an anxious thought—
Sitting still.
Watching skill.
Spy it now! With swinging swat
Pounce with sharpened claws.
Mouse caught!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for our lives. Thank you for this life we have here on earth and thank you for our eternal life we will have with you. Please help us live this life in a way that is pleasing to you. Help us enjoy all the earthly blessings that make life here a small glimpse of heaven, including enjoying the companionship of all your creatures—great and small. Amen.
WHAT ABOUT YOU? Share a story about your pet.
6 comments:
that is a special poem and kitty story!
ok, here's mine... just yesterday I was reunited with "Daisy Dog" - long story but we've been separated for years now... the reunion went something like this...
(1) picked up Daisy Dog today, (2) gave her a scrubby (that's a bath), (3) we sniffed each others ear, (4) convened in dog talk, (5) BLISS!!
@ Chris - what is it about ears that smell so good to dogs? Our Mollie is crazy for hubby's ears. Great story. Thanks for being faithful to my blog.
Our cat, Shadow, did the very same thing. We had her for quite a few years and one week when we could tell she wasn't feeling well, she just disappeared. I also think she went into one of the fields close by our house to have a peaceful and quiet death.
I am sorry for the loss of your faithful kitty.
Pam B.
Thanks, Pam. You knew Spot when he was ancient; but also when he was just a plain 'ole great cat.
Of course! What cat doesn't have nine lives?! What a great twist to the nine theme!
@ Tracy - thank you.
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