"ODE TO SKEETER", a poor poem from a distraught friend…
O Cat!
Precious Friend, companion, snuggler.
Inquirer of my mood, my thoughts, my worries,
Fingertip-licker, lap-sitter, arm-nuzzler!
Attention-demander, stroke-receiver, lap-treader,
Meower extraordinaire, stretcher, bug-hunter,
Mouser beyond compare…
How did I love you?
I cannot count the ways you gained access to my heart.
Really, everything you did defined graceful motion,
Attention to me, or your pursuits.
You could run through a china shop, and not disturb a thing.
Or destroy everything nearby. Your decision.
The most utterly perfectly suited creature to live in the natural world…
And you chose to stay with me.
Second, a short review of his life...
THE TALE OF SKEETER THE CAT:
I remember the first day I met you, alone and frightened in that little pet store being renovated with great dust and loud noise. How you were terrified by the commotion. I had not come into the store looking for you, but I found you anyway and brought you out with me. Together, we escaped the sounds and dust.
At home, I let you sit in the little cardboard kitty box for an hour to smell the clean air and the quiet of your new forever home.
When I opened the box you fled, and who would blame you, to the nearest hidey hole you found. Under kitchen counters, into the air vent cutout, deep and calm. You stayed in there for 3 days, but when lured out with treats and quiet talk, you discovered warmth and kindness and scritches for the first time. The time of terror was over as you melted into my arms with your first purrs.
You grew to teenage pride, and in the meantime, like a young shining knight of King Arthur’s court, you protected the weak and frightened LC kitty newly arrived on the following Halloween day, from the Great and terrible Grendel Kitty Tinkerbelle. You whapped back at Tinkerbelle for the first time, to protect your young charge where before you would not do so for your own sake.
You grew to be a great mancat, lounging among the flowers in your prime. All the mice and bunnies were yours to command. And control them you did. In your best year, no vole or mouse dared to chance your backyard domain.
But time waits for nocat, eventually the Bridge began to call. You saw that time coming. As you had passed on your hunting knowledge to LC years ago, you did the same for your new sister Ayla. You taught her well, old knight… Instead of a powerful terror-lord of mice, there would be a lethal princess of mousie-doom. Yes, you taught her well.
Passing on the crown, you allowed yourself to finally give in to the call of the Bridge. You spent your last days at the side and feet of the Being you loved so well and so long. When the call became too strong, you asked to visit the Good Vet for assistance. Calmly ensconced in my arms, you smiled and said “See you on the other side, my friend”.
Thank you for your time with me, Skeeter… It may be a few years, but I’ll “see you on the other side, my friend”.
This side of the Bridge is emptier without you, Skeeter, nor will I ever see your like again….
THUS ENDS THE TALE OF SKEETER THE CAT…
Third, Skeeter, 5,884 days were not enough. But they were all that were allowed. I cherished every day from the first to the last. And there will be many more days that I will cherish the memory our all-too-brief time together... Enjoy your health and happiness over The Bridge, dear friend, and know that we will meet again some day.