Spunky by Rob Guzak / Rob

It is with great, great sadness that I tell you our precious cat Spunky died this weekend. For those of you who do not know, Spunky was my late Father’s cat. He found him as a kitten in a parking lot during the last days of my Mom’s
life. Spunky provided Dad with a great deal of joy during this most difficult time and while he later suffered with terminal lung cancer. Upon his death, we took in Spunky and he became an integral part
of our lives as a friend and companion.

Matthew and Kristin are especially heart broken as Spunky was a loving friend, willing bedtime partner on teary nights, and a popular figure at school ‘pet day’ (the only cat that did not need to be in a kennel). If there was ever a
school asignment that required the kids to tell about someone they loved, you could be sure Spunky would be the main character. His connection to Grandpa made him all the more special and “Spunk” was an important
part of their lives.

I always told the kids to remember and take care of Spunky because they would compare every other cat they might have with him. He was beautiful with fur that was so soft you could barely feel it, smart as a whip (housebroken – never had a litter box in the house), and kind to a fault willingly submitting himself to just about anything the kids cared to do with (or to) him. Maybe it was because of the circumstances around which he came into our lives, but I have owned a lot of cats and none
can approach my Spunky.

Spunky leaves a large void that will be difficult to fill. You may not completely understand how a cat could have this kind of impact (and I know it is nothing compared to the loss myself and others have felt at the death of a child, spouse, parent, or friend), but in a hectic and unpredictable world, he was a great source of comfort, joy, and continuity that we will miss. I cannot imagine never again seeing him looking in the door to my office meowing to get in the house.

I thank the Lord for giving us this short time with Spunky and take some solace in the text from Isaiah 65 where the Lord describes the new heaven and earth to be created for his people. In verse 25 he states “The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox..” Perhaps this points to Spunky being reunited with Dad – I hope that is the case as it would be a most joyful reunion for both.

Spunky has been cremated. This weekend, a few of his ashes will be spread at Dad’s grave site to join their earthly remains. The rest will later be interred in a small part of our backyard landscape,
to be forever known as “Spunky’s garden.”

We will treasure Spunky always and pray to be guided through our grieving to a time when we will relish the joy of his memory.

 

Goodbye my friend.