Shadow by Helen Malinauskas / MOM

You were so little when you found me. You wandered onto my front porch all by yourself, not another cat in sight. I checked with all the neighbors and nobody had a kitten that was missing. So, I adopted you. You were about 2-3 weeks old; which was scary for me because I had no experience with kittens that young. The vet said I would need to bottle feed you for a while because you were too young to eat. We sure bonded during those many feedings.

You grew up actually thinking I was your mother. You slept on my pillow every night; suckling on my hair and licking my neck and face, all the time purring away. I used to get annoyed with you because it was hard for me to get any sleep. You did that for almost ten years and I have to admit I wish you were still doing it, I wouldn’t be annoyed—–

You were a very handsome boy; sleek, muscular, quick and with gorgeous green eyes–my mini panther. Although you wouldn’t hurt a fly, you gained the respect of the dogs, if they got too close you would slap them and were so quick about it that you were on your third slap before they even realized you hit them once!

It was hard to watch you as you developed kidney disease. I did all I could but finally you just refused to eat. I tried feeding you any and everything and it didn’t matter, you wouldn’t eat. You rapidly started losing weight and you clung to me because you knew something was wrong. Sadly, it was time. When you crossed the Bridge a big part of me went with you. You were my baby and we shared a bond that I will never forget. I think of you every night, because that was our special time. We’ll have that time together again,
be at peace until then.

 

Love You Always And Forever,
Shadow
21, July 1995
Helen Malinauskas