You Were Always There
In Memory Of My Precious "Keeta"
September 2001-January 2008

When I woke up each morning and you heard the water running....I always knew that you would be there, scratching at the door, ready for your breakfast. After I let you in, if I did'nt go straight back to the kitchen, you would sit and wait for me and wouldn't eat until I came into the room. Sometimes you just fussed and fussed until I figured out that you wanted me to pile up your food. You always liked your food bowl full. Yes, you were always there.
When I sat at the table, to read the morning paper...you were always there reaching up to me with your little paw wanting me to rub your neck. After you got the loving that you craved so much, you would go on to find your favorite spot for the day...I never knew for sure just where that would be.....but you were always there, lying somewhere.
Later, when I got the call to go to the "reading room" no matter where you were in the house, somehow you knew I had gone into that room and you would scratch at the door until I let you in. Then, you would promptly lie down right on top of the newspaper which I had spread on the floor to do my reading. Yes, you were always there. That is where you would get your brushing for the day, but you would only tolerate so much and then you would try to scratch me and sometimes succeeded and that quickly got you kicked out of the room
If I didn't make our bed, as soon as we were up, you would often choose that as your spot and I would have to move you, sometimes more than once, because you would jump right back to claim your place there. Changing the sheets was often a challenge, it seemed like a game to you, how many times you could get in my way, so I couldn't get the sheets back on. I would lift you off and you would jump right back....Yes, you were always there..
When I placed our freshly washed laundry upon the bed to fold....you were always there...trying to lie on the clean clothes. Somehow, you knew just which ones were kitchen towels and that is where you wanted to lie. You knew that was forbidden but little did you care. Yes, you were always there.
When I sat down at the computer, you were there. Either upon the bed, lying on the floor under my feet or jumping into my lap. I was always mystified how you knew when I was talking on the telephone. You could be sound asleep on the couch, but when I had a conversation on the phone, somehow, you were always there. Unexpectantly, you would jump on Papa's desk and scare the daylights out of me. Once you jumped and did not realize that the roll top was closed and you just slid right back to the floor. That was funny! Many times when I didn't give you enough attention or wouldn't let you into my lap, you would climb over and try to stand on the telephone....anything to get some petting.....yes, you were always there.
When I tried to pack my bags for a trip, it seemed you always knew that I was leaving. As soon as I opened my suitcase, you would crawl inside and I would have to keep lifting you out, or scolding you to stop getting in so that I could place my things inside.. Then when we returned from our travels, you would always be cool to us for awhile, pouting because we had left you, but a little petting soon got us back into your good graces....yes, you were always there, waiting for us to come home.
When I did my nightly ritual of getting ready for bed, most nights I could find you curled up on my bed or lying next to Papa if he had gone to bed first. One night, I went into our bedroom and there you were, lying on my side of the bed, all stretched out, with you head on my pillow. Looking like it was the most natural place in the world for you to be. When I would say, "time to go night-night", you would give that little mew and get up, reluctantly and head for the door. However, you never could go straight out the door, you always had to make a little detour, around Papa's chair or underneath a table. That always puzzled me. If it was especially cold, sometimes we would let you sleep inside on our bed. Often, you would try sneak your way up to the top of the bed, next to us, but I only had to tell you once to go back to the foot. You seemed to understand so much. I loved it when you lay next to my feet and kept them warm. And, you knew exactly what to do to wake me up so I would let you go out side. You only had to touch the mini blind, next to the bed and I was instantly awake. Oh, you had me trained well. But, the next morning....you were always there.
I didn't always like the presents that you sometimes left for me. Some times, a mouse or a rat, but worst of all a bird. I was horrified that you would kill a bird, but how could you know that was not a good thing. You were just doing what was natural to you. Once I found a dead Mockingbird and I almost didn't blame you for doing that since they fussed and squawked and dived toward you, if you were anywhere near. I hated that, myself.
During the summer, you loved to climb the pecan tree next to our bedroom window and spend the night on the roof. I think you felt safe up there. One morning, you didn't come to the door, like you always did and I started calling out the back door to you. I could hear you answering me, but I couldn't figure out where you were. It was raining a bit, and I got an umbrella and went out on the patio to try to find you. When I called, I heard your voice above me, then I saw you up on the roof, crying as if to say, help me down. I told you that I couldn't, that you would have to go down the tree, the same way you got up there. You seemed to understand exactly what I said because you headed straight for the tree and were at the back door in a flash....yes, you were always there.

Our grandbaby Sawyer loved you too. When she was a baby and I couldn't get her to lie still for me to change her diapers, I could call you and you would jump up beside her and keep her attention until I could clean her up. She was the grandchild you liked to most. Her little hands were always so gentle when she stroked your fur. You tolerated her brother, Fischer, but you didn't lie still for him the way you did for Sawyer. When she came to stay with us, she always wanted to know where is Keeta and you were always there.
I could go on and on about the little ways that you brought us pleasure. Sometimes, an aggravation, but always there was love. You were such a part of our lives and especially mine. I never expected that you would go so quickly. I know you were only a cat, but you were also part of my heart. I will miss your curling up next to me when I sat or lay on the couch watching TV. Your warm body just relaxed me so and often put me to sleep. I will miss our little afternoon naps together. This house seems so empty without you. I walk into a room and expect to see you curled up or stretched out in a favorite spot. I never knew just where. Any place in this house was your favorite. This was your castle and you reigned supreme.

Yes, you were always there and now you will never be again.
I miss you so.