I brought you home when you were 5 weeks old, you were so tiny (being the runt of the litter) that you fit in the palm of my hand. I fixed up a nice cardboard box with soft blankets, but all you did was cry, so I scooped you up and placed you on my pillow, where you slept all night.
So began our 15 1/2 years together, and throughout all those years, that remained your favorite sleeping spot. On the pillow, and on my head.
You were quite the mouser and no mouse was safe in our house with you around. You were so vocal that I often found myself having conversations with you, and you responded at exactly the right moments, always leaving me to believe you were almost human.
You didn’t like many people. You liked Grandma because she disliked you and I think you enjoyed annoying her by jumping on her lap whenever you could. You didn’t like any of the boyfriends I had, until the last one. You liked him so much I knew I would marry him.
You became sick a week before our wedding. I loved you so much I was actually going to cancel the wedding until you got better. Everyone convinced me otherwise, and I listened to them. The day you passed was the day after my wedding, and the hardest thing I deal with still is not being there to say goodbye. I really thought you would be all better when I came back from my honeymoon.
People tell me that you waited until I found someone to take care of me before passing, someone you approved of. I just know that I miss you every day. For almost 16 years you were the only constant in my life. You were always there and asked for (almost) nothing in return. You didn’t care about bad hair days and bills getting paid and if my clothes were fashionable enough.
Apples, my kitten, I’m so sorry I wasn’t there. But maybe you were trying to spare me, because you knew I would put you before anything or anyone else, and you didn’t want the happiest day of my life to be ruined.
I hope that you found Daisy at Rainbow Bridge. I know you always hated dogs, but she really cared for you, and I hope you two are together and not causing too much trouble. If you’re watching now, I hope you’re not too mad that I have a cat now. Daddy brought him home because his mommy died and he needed someone to love and care for him. Sometimes when he yowls in the hallway for no particular reason, he sounds just like you, and I wonder if he is somehow trying to get a message from you to me.
I’m sorry about the dryer incident in 1987 and when the window slammed shut and hurt your paw in 1990. Besides those 2 times, I hope you feel that I provided you with a safe and loving home. You were never “just a cat” to me, but my best friend.