Today, July 28th, 2009 I lost a best friend. For the past 17 years the little white cat in the picture has been a constant best friend and companion. He brought me more joy and happiness over the years than I deserved. He never asked why, he never needed a reason, he just gave.
Maxie came into our lives cradled in my wife’s arms as a tiny kitten, with ears far to big for his head. It was a chance meeting at an animal shelter that almost didn’t happen. From day one with us he simply knew his place… 17 years and not once ever did Maxie need to be disciplined or trained. He just knew. He knew us, he knew how to fit, he knew what we needed and he gave. He never asked for anything in return but our love.
He left us this afternoon cradled again in my wife’s loving arms with the assistance of Kathleen. It was time… I could see that my friend no longer had the fire of life… He was still giving, still purring but it was clear that it took a lot more effort than it did a few years ago… He never gave up though… It didn’t seem to matter how bad he felt… He always had a meow and a purr to share with me.
I was dreading bed time because I knew I would reach for him as I’ve done for the last 17 years. My hand would find nothing there… No warm fuzzy white cat that would rear his head, peer into my eyes and trill hello at me and follow that with a happy purr…I fear there will be quite a few more nights this way before my soul is close to healed again. It was shortly after midnight during a fitful sleep that my wife and I were awakened by a magnificent lighting and thunder show… As I watched the bright flashes outside the first thought that came to my mind was, “these are fireworks for Maxie!”
I will miss his eyes, I will miss his face, I will miss the simple touch of his warm purring body at night as I sleep… Most of all I will miss the constant companionship that he offered free of charge. He was a special soul in sea of souls… I am lucky that our paths crossed and I got to enjoy him for these far too few years.
They say that for cats and dogs that one year of our lives is seven in their time. I would have gladly given a year or two of my own life to extend his if he could have been happy and comfortable. But such a thing is not possible so I will concentrate on remembering him how he would want to be remembered…
The crazy little wild white kitten that just knew what to do…
I will miss you terribly my friend. Rest in peace. Maxie, August 1992 to August 2009.