I can also imagine how happy you were in that home with your family. I know they must have brushed you a lot because you grabbed my hand and pulled the brush down to your face whenever you saw me holding a brush or whenever you saw me brushing my hair. You were an only kitty, we heard...and they must have loved you a lot for 11 1/2 years. I hope you were happy with them, baby....
But then, when they got divorced, no one wanted you even though you had been part of their family--their only pet--for 11 1/2 years, so they took you to a crowded shelter. You were there for six months and your little body couldn't hand the stress of living with 80+ other cats....so you were slowly dying. When you arrived at the shelter you had a beautiful coat...within six months you had pulled out all of your fur that you could reach with your mouth. You had such beautiful gold eyes...so happy and full of life when they dropped you off...six months after being abandoned by the people that you thought were your family, your eyes were barely able to open so swollen with infection. And your beautiful body that once was a strong and healthy 18lbs. now weighed barely 9 lbs just six months later.
You were so sick, we didn't think you would live long, but after we heard about you...we couldn't leave you to die there where you were so confused and scared. So we adopted you....and your savior drove you from Virginia to Ohio to get you to us. When we saw you we didn't think you had much time left...you looked so close to death. But you came right out of that carrier and ran right over to me, stretched your front legs up my leg...and began kneading and purring...so happy to be in a home again.
From that first moment, I have never regretted adopting you for a minute, Poo...and I am a better person because you have graced my life. You never complained...were never pushy...you always just loved us all no matter what. It took us months to get you well again...but slowly but surely, you became whole again...and you accepted whatever we gave you as a precious gift. We had other cats and dogs in the house...you never complained...you just found a place to have to yourself up on the plant ledge, or on top of the refrigerator and you accepted whatever little it of love we would offer you. (it was never enough, I know.)
You were so smart! You could open cabinet doors, and thrilled in hiding in the cupboards and in opening cupboards at the veterinarian's office to see what mysteries were hiding there. You loved the outdoors. Though you were not allowed outside (for your own safety) we would take you out on supervised visits..and you just loved that. You loved to be brushed...more than anything, you loved to be brushed. You would grab the hand of anyone holding a brush and pull it down to the side of your face and actually pull the brush so that person would have to brush you. You also loved to be held, to sleep with people and to sit in someone's lap and kneed them. You would do this for hours...but in the last 5-6 years we were so busy with the foster pets, the baby, and "our" lives....we never gave you these simple pleasures, Poo...and for that I will always be regretful. We spent so little time with you and you deserved so much more.
As you grew older and your bones ached, we forced your retirement from your hideout on top of the refrigerator. We gave you your own space in the nursery and you spent your last couple years with Jack as he grew with you. He wasn't always kind to you (even though he loved you most of all of the pets) but you were so tolerant and loving..never lashing out...just accepting the loud, rough child that now was part of your life.
Poo we didn't even notice how sick you had become until your feet became so swollen. After many many tests and three days in the hospital, they told us it was cancer and a type that neither radiation or chemotherapy could cure or even help. We were told you had days to live...and you came home to spend your last few days with us.
Poo, I hope you know how much we all loved you...and how much you meant to all of us...and how happy we are that you came into our lives. I will always remember in my heart...last night when even though you were so sick, you raised up and actually purred and purred as we spent time together. I kissed your head and your eyes...and I knew it wouldn't be long before I would lose you. You left us this morning as we tried to get you to the vet. You were in my arms when your spirit slipped quietly away.
Poo, you were loved more than you will ever know....I hope your first owners know what they gave up...
God, please take care of Poo Bear for us...
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