by Trina Rebeaud
Tiger, my cat entered my life in Dec. 1986. I wasn't planning on giving my heart over to him, but he won it anyways. The first time was when he took his paw and put it under a closed door, and meowed the sound "ma".That is what was the start of a close, loving, relationship that lasted 18 yrs. He brought up my 2 girls, moved with us in 2 homes, always the one to check the place out completely before we could settle in. I knew he was getting older the middle part of last year. I kept telling him, don't ever leave me... This year, he would sit on my lap and just stare at my face like he was soaking in the full picture of me. Well, this past Wed. he was doing really poorly, and we all gathered and loved him up as much as possible... I had called the vet to make arrangements to have him put to sleep on this past Friday... That was never to be. Tiger knew I didn't want him to go, so on Thursday, July 17, 2003, I was heading out to work, went to him, told him how much I loved him, and I would see him when I got home, my youngest daughter did the same. He looked up at us. I really feel that he was waiting for us to leave him there, so that he could pass on in peace without the tears shed over him, which I know I would have done.... He hated it when anyone of us cried. I am working my way through all of my feelings right now. I used to tell Tiger, he was the son I never had. I will miss my beloved Tiger, and will be looking for him, when I am called home to paradise. And I thank God so much, for placing this little soul in my life to care for and love.