Bailey by John / John

Bailey was originally supposed to be for my parents, who had lost their previous cat a few years prior. While visiting them, I found an ad by the elevator in their senior aparmtne building, with a phone number for a 5 year old indoor male cat for adoption – free of charge. I talked my folks into allowing me to call for them.

It turned out this cat had been rescued from a very abusive home by the grandaughter of a woman in the building – and he was right down the hall. The grandaughter asked if she could bring him in for us to meet him. Well this beautiful, large, cream colored tabby comes in, walks around the apartment like he ownes it, and promptly jumps in my lap! My folks decided to keep him one night on approval. Bailey did not leave my lap that night, except to eat his food and visit the litter pan. He slept with me on the bed that night. The next morning, I was getting ready to go grocery shopping with my Dad (Mom was homebound), when Bailey walked into the room, jumped on my lap and lay in a position exactly like the cat I had, who had passed away a month prior. I burst into tears, and of course, my Dad walked into the room. After I composed myself, I went in to get my Dad, and my Mom told me, “Your father and I were talking. Since Bailey seems to have taken to you so quickly, we think you should keep him.” I was thrilled and grateful!

This began 9 years of a wonderful, loving relationship that never changed. This beautiful, affectionate, loving cat got me through a heart attack and it’s recovery, my Mom’s death and the grieving that followed, the breakup of a relationship that I hoped would last forever, and two cross-country moves.

For the last two years of his life, he was on medication twice a day, as well as daily fluid IVs, and this wonderful boy never complained. The day I had to let him go, I cried only slight less than when I lost my mother. I miss him and think of him every day.

Bailey, until we’re together again, you will always remain in my heart.

 

With all my love,