I’m not sure why, but I’ve been thinking about my Bob lately. He passed away 2 years, 8 months ago. It doesn’t feel like he’s been gone that long. It’s tempting at this point to write about how great Bob was. He was a great cat. But what prompted this post today is more my thinking about why and how I think about him.
Most of the time I don’t know what bring him to mind. Other times, something happened that reminds me of something he did, or a time we had together and it’s more clear. While the memories also remind me how much I miss him, time has done its work to some degree in that I am mostly happy to think about and remember him.
Then sometimes, my mind will continue on, remembering other cats I’ve shared my life with:
Shindy – the first cat I got after moving out on my own
Magic – the only cat I’ve had that I knew his actual birthday because he was born under my best friend’s bed when they took in a pregnant stray
Sheba – the trouble-making tiny Bengal with the huge voice
and my childhood cats Patches – the barn cat who knew she was really a princess and Charley – the silly calico who acted like a puppy.
I know what these cats have meant to me. Working as an RVT for over twenty years now, I’ve seen the bonds people share with their pets. They add so much to our lives. I actually get sad for the ‘it’s just a dog/cat/pet’ people. They’re missing out on so much by limiting who their hearts can hold dear. I’ve been present while so many people said goodbye to their fluffy family members. Or while they stood by their side to fight through an uncertain recovery. These are not frivolous emotions or values. They are important.
And our memories are precious.
Karabu Creations 