Last week I had to make the difficult decision to let my beautiful cat, Cookie, go. At 14 years old, she lived a long wonderful life, the last 8 years of which I was blessed to have her in my life.
She helped me through some of my lowest points. No, she could not advise, commiserate, agree or challenge me. What she offered was unconditional love no matter what I looked or sounded like. She gave me warmth and affection as she followed me around the house, curling up beside me wherever I landed. Focusing on her helped keep me grounded in the present moment when I needed to the most.
She added joy to my days. Seeing her first thing every morning as she excitedly waited to be fed – ready for a new day, watching her as she napped in her favorite chair in such adorable positions, coming to greet me when I arrived home, “asking” to be brushed and her having her climb into bed with me most every evening.
Cookie was a special companion and will be missed deeply.
Who has been such a companion to you during the highs and lows of your life?
Bless you and your beautiful cat, Cookie. Cats and dogs are just angels in mammal bodies, aren’t they? What a blessing that unconditional love is.
My buddy is a ten-year old Akita mix and I will miss Max so much when his time comes. Allow yourself some time for grieving. Take care.
Dear Stefanie,
I lost Big Al three years ago, and it seems like yesterday. He died with his boots on, as they say, chasing some critter across a frozen pond. I though my heart would break.
Al taught me a lot about life as I’m sure Cookie did you. Most important was to live in the present. Al never spent a minute wishing for anything but what he had. Never worried about tomorrow. Never thought he should have been bigger or thinner. And certainly never thought anyone was superior to him!
Al had a confidence born of cats, lions and few people. I miss him and will never forget his love and affection or his lessons.
Steve
Thank you Steve! What you said about Big Al loving every minute in the moment – with confidence, how wonderful if we humans were able to live much the same way. There are many life lessons we can learn from our loving companions! Thank you for sharing yours.
Thank you for your kind words. I hope you have several more years of love with Max!