Maziar - your name meant Prince, and you certainly lived up to that title. You always carried yourself with dignity even if you were being silly. How many times when you were a kitten did you fall or miss a jump and simply walk away as if you meant to do that very thing. And you never acknowledged that we were laughing at your silliness...what a lesson for a cat to teach a human!

We brought you home when you were a tiny baby. A little ball of grey fur. The first few days you hissed at us each time we tried to pet you, but then you got used to it and would come running to the door anytime someone walked in, the first in line demanding attention. Even people who did not like cats feel in love with you, and would bend down to give you love and pets. And you would purr contentedly knowing that you had won over another critic.

Do you remember how you would catch mice? Not one to be mean you never did use your claws on them. In fact, you never meant to kill them. You wanted to play with them in the same way you played with the other cats, but they didn't understand, and you would get confused when they would fall dead from fright. It always upset you when that happened. You were a gentle soul, and even though cats and mice are considered enemies, I believe that the word enemy never entered your mind. I know because many times you let me re-direct the mouse out of your way and out of the house without following it.

You outlived all your companions of youth; Jazz, Tye-Dye, Trouble and your dog Smiley (remember how you "taught" him to jump). Each time they died, you were there to comfort us even in your grief. You laid on our bed, on the top of our pillows watching our tears fall, extending a paw every now and then to let us know we would get through this. And when mommy became seriously sick and couldn't work anymore, but had to spend a lot of time sleeping you laid on my head checking in on me and keeping me company. You kept me from feeling lonely big guy.

Last summer, your kidneys failed. The vet did all she could, but in the end you were 16 and your body could no longer fight. You had already battled back the onset of this kidney failure once, and you pulled through when no one thought you would. You knew we wanted you to see our new house and share in it before you died since you had spent all your life in apartments. We took you to the vet for the last time in June, and made the decision to help you end your life; we knew you were trying, but no longer had the energy, and it was our job to help you to the end. We stayed in that room until you didn't move, until we knew you were no longer suffering. We cried and cried, but we did not want you to be in pain any longer. Forgive us for not helping you sooner, for any moment of pain that was caused by our inability to make the tough decision.

Your companion of old mourned with us. He cried with us. And he healed with us. Maybe he knows for certain that you will be there waiting for him when it is his time. You will be happy to know that he is once again his old self or maybe you already know that.

I hope you are waiting there at the Rainbow Bridge because now we are facing another pet's death. The puppy that we brought home some time after your death may be suffering from chronic kidney failure. His chances aren't good especially because he is so young, and the only thing that can get us through this is knowing that you will be there to comfort him as you comforted us. And we learned from you that the tough decisions need to be made if you truly love your pet. Thank you for that lesson.

And I know that when the day comes for us to leave this earth you will be there with your great big body again, your shiny grey coat and sparkling blue eyes. You'll rub up against our leg and lead the way where all our dear, departed babies are, and we can all be one happy family together again. But please, if our puppy is taken from us be extra careful with him, give him extra love because he does not know what is happening and he does not like to be separated from us. He may cry for awhile, but I know you'll lay by his side or by his head and keep him company. Tell him every day that his mommies love him and will never forget him. Remind him that he will see us again, and if you can, please, remind us that we will see him and all of you again. Do it often because our hearts hurt so much, and our hearts still hurt from losing you. It is not a raw pain like it once was, but it is the pain of having an old friend no longer with you. You were a dear, old friend.

I love you my dear Prince. There has never been another cat like you in our home. You were truly special, and we were truly lucky to have had a cat like you.

Goodnight sweet Prince until we meet again.