When hubby and I were first married, my little black cat, Taz, was going to live with us. Within a week, it was determined she was not right for where we lived, and my parents totally welcomed her back to their house, where she lived out her ten years in happiness. (I think Dad always wanted her back anyway.) A house is not a home without a cat, as far as I (and, I’m sure, many TDKr’s) am concerned, and I was lonely for a cat. Getting to know a neighbor, a little black kitten introduced herself to me. “Someone just dumped her here.” my neighbor said. That cat moved into our house and made it a home that night. Smokie grew to be a beautiful long hair, all black cat. She was the perfect cat, and she knew it. Unfortunately, she apparently got into something toxic outside, and went to the Bridge way too young. We treasured, and still talk about, the 1 1/2 years we had with her.
The loss of Smokie paved the way for a little gray and white boy needing a home. That would be Shaddo. A year later, Jiggs, our gentle giant Maine Coon, found his way to us. It’s been only just over a year since losing Jiggs, and just under a year since losing Shaddo. We can’t imagine those years without the boys. Shaddo was our buddy, and loved meeting people. Jiggs was my healing kitty, and I was his person. I miss those boys terribly but wouldn’t trade the pain of losing them for anything as they brought us so much joy over the years.
Now we have our little spitfire, our trooper through the home renovation saga, our distraction, Leela – the kitten found in the rain. I can’t imagine what the past several months would have been like without her. She, without a doubt, has helped reduce our stress.
Cats truly make the home (IMHO)!!!