by Cynthia Talbot
To my little gray baby -
16 years ago you picked me out at the Shelter. I knelt down to see all the cats roaming around and you pranced right over and jumped in my lap. That was it, you were mine and I was yours.
Your demanded my attention, came and got me if I was not providing you enough love. Caused me anguish when you decided to stay out too late. Remember I use to sit in the dark of the yard knowing you eventually would come around to sit in my lap. But above all you were always always with me. There was never a night we didn't cuddle. Well, sometimes you came home in the wee hours of the morning. How my legs would cramp because you liked to sleep on top of them. How I ache to have that cramped feeling again . . .
You dominated the dogs we lived with. They knew you were number one in my life. Did you know that? As you grew older, chicken was cooked for you weekly. I think you heard the Vet say it was OK to feed her chicken. You liked Grammy's roasted chicken best. So she cooked it every Thursday. Thursday's will never be the same. Neither will Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday. The weekends I will miss the most, those were our times to be together. Remember weekends at Grammy's when you could go outside after being in all week? When you were young you played outside all day and then as you got older lounged outside in the sun. It is Saturday now and I am missing you terribly. It is a day I use to call a "Cinders kind of day"; sunny, warm and dry.
I picked this house with you in mind. A nice neighborhood with no busy streets and woods behind the house. The realtor thought I was crazy. I was crazy in love with you. You loved this house so. You followed the sun from room to room. Cleaning days were always interrupted by you asking for some loving. Did I really complain that I couldn't clean because you wanted attention? The sun room became one of our favorite spots. My mother thinks I built that for you too - well maybe partially for you.
Are you walking with Shadow now? Remember we three would take walks together? Follow the paths in the woods. How you loved to tease Shadow. You tried with Maxx, but he was too young and you were too old. But I slowed him down for you - and you always tried.
We had many good years. I watched you grow from a young adult to a regal soul. My love for you just grew and grew.
And your last night we slept together, as always. And the last hour you walked out of your carrier and into my lap for the last time. Did you know what the Vet and I were discussing? To the very end, you were with me. Did you pick me to spend your last few minutes with as you had picked me 16 years ago? Oh Cinders, I will always love you. You are so special to me.
Until we meet again - your paw print will remain on my heart.
Love, Mommy