A Tribute to
“Puddles”
We named you Ashes, because your fur was gray as ash. Your new mother and sister brought you into our lives from a distant town. What a bundle of joy you where.
One Thanksgiving day I found you on the counter eating our Thanksgiving dinner, you didn’t even wait for it to be cooked.
I chased you around the house with a broom. Ashes, I have regretted that day from that time on. I stopped my pursuit of you when I realized how scared you where. Maybe that’s why you would stay to yourself and only share your affections with Steff and only on occasions with mom.
You did allow me to pet you when you where on Steff’s bed but I knew you where a bit uncomfortable letting me. I would tell Steff that you allowed me to pet you because you considered her bed the “safe zone”.
You and Steff where and always will be inseparable. You’d follow her around everywhere. If she was doing her homework you where there laying on her papers, if she was on the computer you laid on top of the monitor and when she was in bed you made sure she knew you where there. You allowed “only” Steff to scratch your tummy which you loved so much. It was Steff that gave you that nick-name “Puddles”. I have no idea how she came up with that name but you must have thought it was OK because you always came to it when she called.
I noticed that you where getting really fat. You looked pregnant but I knew that was impossible. I had mom and Steff bring you to the vet for a check-up. When they came home and told me that you had Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) and that you where going to die from this in a very short time, I was heart broken. I came to you that night in Steff’s room. You where on the floor because you could no longer jump onto the bed. I laid down next to you and with the tears running down my face and I asked you to forgive me. I petted you and this time it was just me and you. I told you I had tried to make it up to you over the years and I couldn’t bear the thought that you hated me so. I told you that I loved you and kept asking your forgiveness. Then you rolled over onto your back and invited me to scratch your tummy. I scratched you for several minutes as you purred away in contentment. I think it was at that moment you forgave me.
A couple weeks later we had to say good-bye. I couldn’t stand seeing you starve because your stomach was being crushed by all the fluid being built up in you little body.
I fed you that morning you favorite meal and all you could do is take a couple of bits. You walked over to me and sat in front of me just looking into my eyes. You knew didn’t you baby? Later that morning I kissed you on the head to say goodbye as Steff held you in her arms on the way to the car.
Just like it was in the beginning of your life with us, it would end. Hearing the words of comfort from mom and the one you loved most.
***************************************
Ashes “Puddles” passed from this
World October 26 2002
She is now in God’s Kingdom where she
Will be forever young.
Thank you for your forgiveness’.
A Tribute to
| Ashes 'Puddles' |
| 26, Oct 2002 |
| Stephanie Dean |