TBT: This has been a hard year, losing Ayla in September and Laz in November. And it doesn't help me a lot to know that I arranged for both of them to cross The Bridge. So it brought my thoughts to Skeeter, who went over The Bridge this past week in 2008.
Today's flashback is about Skeeter at various times...
Some of you remember posts about his life, some probably don't. I got Skeeter from a small pet store in 1992 that was being renovated. Noise and dust everywhere! He was alone in a cage at the front of the store, trembling. I had to take him home. He wasn't the cat I went looking for, but he was my first self-chosen cat (all the previous ones were "can you give one of our kittens a home?")
I was looking for a female Siamese kitten. I came home with an orange male. I never regretted it afterwards. Skeeter was like Marley is now. Calm, friendly, peaceful, protective.
He came out of the cardboard carrier box and was brave from the start.
He found the hidey-hole under the kitchen cabinets (a cut out for a floor vent) and hid there for 3 days. When he finally came out, I gave him scritchies and he never hid again. Indeed, I couldn't get him away from me. I named him Skeeter because he was like a mosquito that wouldn't leave me alone.
He loved me, the house, and the yard (after a few weeks) all his life. When LC came into our lives exactly a year later, he adopted her as his little sister. He was happy all days. I'm not sure I ever had a happier cat before him.
He was handsome too.
He was a joy to me all his life. Slept with me most nights and usually under the covers. Ate whatever I offerred him. Reduced the mouse population a lot. Spent evenings on my lap.
He loved his life.
But all good things come to an end. Skeeter developed kidney problems and I think that was considered untreatable back in 2008. One day, he looked like this...
And I had to take him to the Vet for release.
But it was a wonderful 16 years! I cherish all the memories now in ways that were so tearful in previous years.
One day, he was a kitten terrified in a scary place. A few days later, he was joyful. And for 16 years, he was happy and at peace. I didn't go to the small pet store looking for Skeeter, but I sure am glad I found him there!
My one regret is that I didn't have more time with him. For most of his life, I was gone to work 12 hours a day. Nights and weekends, he had me, but he deserved more. I retired in March 2006, so he had fully me 2 1/2 years. But I sure wish he had had me around longer. He nearly lived for my attention to him. I retired the first day I was eligible, but the full-time with him was too short.
So today's flashback is dedicated to him...
