Lost a Friend

Death is a normal part of living for every living thing. We are born, live our lives and die when the time for our life ends. I am not one who believes that pets or animals will be in heaven. It is reserved for the children of GOD. For those who have a soul and can have a relationship with the LORD. To loose a family member or friend can be a difficult thing to face. They are a part of the lives we have live, having touched us in a special way. Hopefully we have been a blessing to them as well. We hold on to the memories of times shared, of loving them and our feelings become attached to each one.

I have always been an animal lover of the domesticated variety. Hates spiders and such. I have been an avid nature watcher, finding pleasure in watching, feeding and reading about the many birds who grace the air above us, the ones who walk the trails we follow and even the ones who often go unnoticed. I have own many pets over my lifetime. From dogs, to cats, to rabbits and some fish. Each one has brought joy to my life and left me with fond memories.

The sadness that causes me to ponder these things this morning. Results from the death of a friend I've had for apx. 15-16 years. He became my friend when my then 12 year old son brought me a "Mother's Day" present in a shoebox from school. Rescued from behind a dumpster and scared to death, was a small kitten. Brian is also an animal lover of sorts and knew I had lost a cat just month's before. Thinking this would be the perfect gift for his mom. Over the years Brian has brought home many strays, but that is a different story. Tigger, quickly became a part of the family. He was name after the Winnie the Phooh character by the same name. For as a kitten, he was constantly bouncing off of the furniture, walls, your legs, etc. Tigger was loving and was a "wanting to be where you were" kind of cat. He was often found in my lap, his favorite place. Would snuggle on the foot of the bed next to me, at night when Lon wasn't home. He was a patient cat with each new addition to our cat family. Even tolerating a rambunctious kitten (Boots)in his old age. He loved to be scratched and would plop down at your feet begging for one any time he found you sitting down.

We knew he was getting old and in failing health. Also knowing that one day we would find him dead someplace. That was one reason we got Boots, besides wanting a barn cat. These past few weeks have been hard on his breathing as the heat rose each day. He was not around on Monday when I returned from North Georgia. But showed up yesterday morning and sat near me as I drank my morning coffee. Slipping off to find a cool place sometime before lunch. I didn't see him all day and he didn't return before going bed. NOt unusal, as he loved to sleep outside, often in my rocker. I kinda suspected that he might have gone off to die. Stopping by to say welcome home and goodbye yesterday. To find him dead in the middle of the back yard this morning was expected, but hard none the less.

I have several pictures of him that will be place in my album. Along side of all the other pets we have shared our lives with. Thought I would share a few with you. . . .

We were friends, he touched my life, he loved me and I him.
I will miss him,

Deborah