Mustache by Ellen Franklin

Mustache

by Ellen Franklin

When my girlfriend called and said her cat Buffy was pregnant and about to deliver, my children got excited and said they wanted a kitten. I didn't care to have another pet. It had been a long time since the death of my dog, Lucky and I just did not want to put myself through that again. After much insistence, I told my friend we would take a kitten only if it were unique. Very unique. The day they arrived she called and told us to come over. When she opened her closet door, there was Buffy and her litter of multi-colored babies. My friend told me to see if I could pick out "our" kitten. It wasn't hard....there in the midst of all the fluff and fur was a tiny black and white kitty with a huge black mustache under her nose. Six weeks later she moved in. She was suposed to have been my daughter's cat. But, she attached herself to me. I became her human. Like it or not, that was that. I tried real hard not to get attached but we bacame best friends over the years. She would meow to me and we would have great conversations. Her love was unconditional...when she wanted to give it. Like every other cat, she called the shots! The past two months her health began to deteriorate. She stopped eating the last two weeks and forgot where the litter box was. She would try to eat for me but would throw it right back up. She was very shakey when she walked, but always met me at the door anyway. Her job was to wake me up every morning at 7:00 and she did just that yesterday. She had had an accident on the carpet and had thrown up blood and she was very upset. I had talked with my vet the first of the week when she began to wonder around the house lost. She forgot where everything was. I was told that I should start thinking about what our alternatives were regarding her health. The choices were quite few. I could let her live until she passed on her own or I could help her now. I can't believe I did it, but I chose to let her go peacefully now. After all the wonderful long years of love and devotion she gave to me I felt like I owed her something in return. I remember how she would look in my eyes and cry as if to say "help me please". I hope I did the right thing, my sweet baby. If I didn't, please forgive me. I just could not put you through any more pain. It would only get worse. I love my Mustache...I am so lost without you. My heart and my home is so empty. I miss you.

Comments would be appreciated by the author, Ellen Frankli