This is in memoriam of my brother’s cat named Silly. The name was not the only unusual thing about her. She was such a different kind of cat right off, her fur soft as mole hair, and a shiny bright white. The pink nose set it off, especially when she played hard, causing it to flush to a bright pink that you’d swear gave off light. She was given as a Christmas present to him. He had recently lost another that had been a dear companion, and he was reluctant at first to adopt her. But the feisty little bundle of energy was determined to make him hers, playing and purring, and cozying up, winning him over before the night was over. Her taste in people was specific, my brother was hers and hers alone as far as she was concerned. She only tolerated anyone else if they showed the proper respect. Otherwise you might get the snarl, hiss and possibly even a slash for your insolence.
With my brother though, all was fair. She was simply devoted to him. Oh, she might complain at him verbally, sometimes making it sound like an spat between parent and child, but she always allowed him a full measure of respect and grace that no one else was ever able to achieve. Many is the time I’d hear over the phone him telling her to get off of something, followed by her petulant reply, then grumble as she grudgingly complied. If I hadn’t known it was a cat… well you can guess the rest.
I’m thankful that she was there to help him through times both good and bad. Stories of her escapades made for delightful conversations between us. She was there to cheer him on during our online gaming sessions of Halo. Her presence was a prerequisite at online family gatherings, which she tolerated for my brother’s sake. When he would leave for a trip and be gone for more than a day, Silly would stalk the halls of his house looking for him, calling out plaintively to him as if in hope he was nearby. When he returned, she greeted him with a cluster of greeting meows, assuring him she was glad he was home again.
Those of us who love our pets know that they occupy a special part of our lives and love us in return. I’m sure you can sympathize with the loss felt when you lose them.
Silly cat, you will be missed,