by Beth McKinney
It started as a warm spring day in 1990. I was on my way to school when my neighbor who lived below me asked me if I wanted a kitten. I went inside and saw this tiny little orange newborn kitten that resembeled a hamster. He was meowing so softly....he grabbed my heart. Six weeks later, I took him to my hometown with me. He was adventurous, trying to climb curtains. However, he took to the litter box without really any trouble. He slept with me...generally on my chest or on my feet. I watched him grow into a beautiful, quiet and sensitive cat. Oh yeah, stubborn and independent too. He loved to go outside and chase squirrels and birds. He loved to go out at night and he even pulled an all nighter a couple of times. The vet was not his favorite place. He was never sick until he was diagnosed with cancer in 1996 and again in 1998. Both times, the tumors were removed from his left ear. It did not get him down though. He recovered and went on with his usual way of life. Eating, sleeping and playing. He stayed with me whenever I was sick.....never leaving me. I talked to him all the time and he just sat and listened. During the Easter weekend, he became lethargic so I took him to the vet. he had lost 4lbs and was anemic. He was getting well until May 4th when he slipped and damaged the nerve in his front left paw. He kept trying to walk and I kept giving him his meds. The day before he died, he hid for eight hours and my dad found him. The next morning, I found a note stating that he went to Heaven during the night. I tried everything but no matter what he would not stay still. He was found in the basement by my dad that morning of May 7th. I still cannot go to his grave in the backyard....way too painful. I don't know what to do without Poppi. I dream about him and I keep thinking he will come out of hiding. I miss Poppi and it will take time to heal from this. Please, keep me and my family in prayer. Also, I look for the day when I am with Poppi once more in Heaven. He will know my name and I will know his when I see him in Heaven.
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