And now I've laid you down to sleep
You're finally at rest

My love for you I'll always keep
You were the very best

You gave me joy for almost twelve years
A memory for each new day

Then came the day of all my fears
The day you passed away

A part of me you took with you
And I really can't stand the pain

But when this life on earth is through
I know we'll meet again. 🙏🏼

Your favorite chair is vacant now...
No eager purrs to greet me.
No softly padded paws to run
Ecstatically to meet me.

No coaxing rubs nor plaintive cry
Will say it's time for feeding.
I've put away your bowl,
and all the things
You won't be needing;

But I will miss you little friend,
For I could never measure
The happiness you brought me,
The comfort and the pleasure.

And since God put you here to share
In earthly joy and sorrow;
I'm sure there'll be a place for you
In Heaven's bright tomorrow!

- Alice E. Chase

It's been three weeks since I tearfully bid you farewell, the feisty and ridiculous character who conned me into adopting you with all those "cat kisses" as soon as I walked by your cage at the shelter. That was just over eleven years ago, though it seems much shorter - and I never expected that you would leave so soon.

You weren't quite Marley, the world's worst dog, though you sure had your moments! Like the time you dislocated your hip after falling asleep on the crossbeam and rolling off to the floor sixteen feet below - 😱 Or the two times I ended up in the ER after you bit me during a "play aggression" fit - 🤕 Or that time you climbed out the window and under a neighbor's car while I got ready for work - you then rode next to the catalytic converter for over ten miles to his workplace and had burns on your paws and hip from that escapade! 😳 Oh yes, how could I forget about last year, when you somehow swallowed a cherry pit, which led to an intestinal blockage and emergency surgery - 😱 And the time, after hearing that I'd started to put SoftClaws on your nails to stop you from grabbing my leg and biting me, one of my friends laughingly said "Tucci sounds like a juvenile delinquent! He's lucky you're so patient!"

Over the years, I've thought about how accurate that remark was - and am I ever thankful that I was so patient, as it allowed me the wonderful gift of being your "hooman mom" and enjoying how endearing, loving, and ridiculous you could be, which far overshadowed the difficult side. I remember so clearly one evening a few months after I adopted you, when I was relaxing after dinner. You unexpectedly leapt onto the sofa next to me, threw yourself onto me and heaved a huge sigh - as if to say that you'd decided to trust and accept me after all!!! You'd been friendly but not very affectionate up till then, though the slow eye blinks (that initially charmed me back at the shelter) came pretty often after that. You also began to scamper like a kitten down the hall in front of me after I patted you and I would marvel both at how light and happy you looked (especially as you weighed almost 14 lbs.!) and at how, for many years, your "meows" continued to sound like kitten "mews."

And you loved it when we played with bubble soap! You would stare at all the bubbles floating overhead, suddenly leap into the air, swatting and biting as you tried to capture them, then sit with your back to the bubbles to let me know you were bored with that game and wanted to try something else - like that goofy wire with strips of cardboard on the ends that you went crazy for. You could play with that thing for half an hour or more, and almost always wore me out. I sure wish I'd played with you more often back then, and especially when I recall the apprehension I felt when you were older and sick, and tired out after just a few minutes . . . 😭

I remember when you got mad at me for putting you on a diet when the vet said that you were overweight 😂 - gobbling your food and smacking your lips as usual, followed by you stalking me with accusing glares and meows over the smaller portions in hopes of getting more.

Or when I got home from vacation a few years ago - this was the first time you were alone for over a week (your roomie Hercules had sadly crossed the Rainbow Bridge by then) and you peered around the corner at the top of the stairs to make sure it was me - then greeted me loudly as you came down, "Where have you been???!" Fortunately, you quickly forgave me for leaving you and enjoyed lots of hugs and pats that day!

Oh, I sure miss all those times between chemotherapy appointments when you would jump on the sofa, lay against me with your "arms" around my neck, purr heartily, and just relax - it seemed like you were glad for a quiet day at home and grateful to be feeling better. And some days I can still feel you lying peacefully and purring against my shoulder. I'm grateful for the extra time and moments like these with you, and for the comfort these memories bring. Rest safely, my silly, precious friend. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼