Smokey came to live with us in September of 2004. He was this scrawny, scruffy kitten with huge feet. He had such an attitude! He walked into the house and made it his.
He went to live on my husband’s truck for awhile. He liked being a trucking kitty a lot. During this time he got the name Turd – since he acted like one a lot of the time. Turdy did have a lot of problems readjusting to truck life after a few days home, so after several months he came home to stay.
During this time another of our cats died from FIP. Loki looked just like Smokey, except that Loki was yellow and white. Both cats had the same sort of attitude. Even though Loki was gone, as long as Smokey was here I felt
like he was still with us.
Smokey grew into a huge, gorgeous cat with the most beautiful eyes. He had long, steel grey fur with white markings. He was royalty and he knew it. He liked to go up to people while he was making the neighborhood rounds. One man told me that Smokey always came to visit with him every time he was out there. He told me what a nice,
special cat Smokey was.
He disappeared 8 days ago – on May 5, 2006. I got up on the morning of May 6 to let the cats in and he wasn’t there. He always came home for breakfast – he never, ever missed a meal. Today the same man who told me about Smokey’s visits told me that coyotes were in the immediate area, and that is most likely what happened to him. I think he is probably right. Turdy would have come home if he could have. He loved us as much as we loved him.
Smokey meant a lot to all of us. He was my son Devon’s special friend. I think Devon might miss him the most. I don’t know for sure, since right now the hole in my heart is so huge I don’t think anyone’s could be bigger.
A couple of weeks ago Smokey caught a mouse outside and was having a ball playing with it. I took some photos of him that day. He was so happy that day and that is how I will always remember him.
You gave me a special gift too. You made me feel special and loved like no one else has. You have some pretty high standards too – which makes it even more special to me. People and I don’t mix very well. That’s why I love animals so much, especially cats. You are a very special cat and I’d like to say thanks for being my friend.
I asked Wicker to look after you and to make sure you were doing OK. I know that the two of you were friends down here and I hope you still are now that you’re both in kitty heaven. I hope you and Loki are together again too.
Smokey, we were so lucky to have you. You gave us so much love, laughter, and happiness during the time you lived with us. We all miss you, and we will never, ever forget you. Hopefully we will see you again someday. Then we’ll never have to be apart again. Until then please be happy and know that we will always love you.
All our love forever and ever,
| Smokey |
| May 2006 |
| Larson Family |