by Leah
The family cat Smokey, was 23, going on 24 when he had to be "put down". His body was slowly shutting down on him. He was skinny and barely ate anything. But when he did eat, he got WHATEVER he wanted. Cheese, ham, tuna, you name it. He was adopted from the SPCA in Edmonton, Canada when my mom was pregnent with my twin and I. He would drape himself over her belly and relax. He was four, and was gorgeous. A black and grey striped cat with a white underbelly, and had six "fingers" on each hand (a mitten kitten) that he would use to pick up cat treats and eat, or catch mice or show our new little kittens his strength by holding their heads to the floor with his massive mitten. He loved these games. He would come in my room to say goodnight, and there every morning to say hello. He would lay with me some nights until I fell asleep, and was always by my side when I was sick in bed. He would follow my sister and I to school, and when we came home for lunch, he would be waiting for us by the time we got halfway to our house. He was very faithful to his family. Unfortunately he was put down while I was away at college. To have someone call and tell you that your very first pet has passed on is harder than I could have ever imagined. He will always be my baby boy. I dream of you often Smokey. I was just telling mom today that last night I had a dream that you came home. The doorbell rang and when I got the door, there you were. You looked so young and healthy. I was sooo happy to see you. Thank you for coming to visit me in my sleep. I miss you more than you can ever imagine. Though it may be a long time before I get to see you again, I am sure that you are being taken care of. I ask God every once in awhile to check in on you, and I told him that you like to be scratched under the chin a lot and that you like the sun very much. And catnip and kitty treats. Lola and Scarlett, Liam and Grace, the dogs miss you as well. They miss getting to have cat naps with you in the sun. I just want you to know Smokey, I cannot express how much I miss you. I think about you often, and I am sorry that I couldn't say good bye to you. I did tell you though in winter break when I was home that I would like you to wait for me to come home before you pass on, but I also told you that you did not HAVE to wait. I am glad you went when you did, I am just terribly sorry about not being there. I put you in the sun often on the deck, I know you liked it there, and I dust you off frequently. (We had him cremated) You were and still are one of the family, and we talk about you often. I figured since you were so old, I thought you would be there forever. I was wrong and I should not have thought like that. Even though you were older than me by four years, you were still my baby boy, as well as Laura's. We all miss you very much, and Evan says you were the only cat he ever liked. Evan hates cats, so this is an honor. (Evan is my boyfriend) He misses you too, and your grandma and grandpa. So many people do Smokey. When I heard you passed on, I slept with your pictures on my bed. It really did make me feel better. I keep your pictures in my photo album now, and it is hard to look at them, because most often I cry when I think of you. It was like losing one of the family. I am glad you are not in pain anymore though. You were mom and dad's first child you know. You still are one of the family. I love you very much baby kitty, and I will write you soon again......... All of my love, Leah