Goodbye Mr Kitty

Well, as some of you already know, yesterday we had to put our kitty, Kona, to sleep. I got this cat from my aunt over five years ago and he was a wonderful pet. The first year I had him was the worst year of my life but through it all my little kitty was always there for me. He was never the regular cat-anti social and never around. Whenever I came home he would always run to the door and greet me. Whatever room I was in, he was there too. In fact, he was a little too close to me, the reason he was declawed was that he would climb up my legs and hang from my skirt or pants as I walked around the kitchen getting ready. He ruined three skirts and two pairs of pants that way! If people were over, he was always in the thick of things, jumping up on people's laps and even trying to steal their food like a dog! And every night he curled up on my bed and slept with me.

When Bard started coming around, he wasn't so sure of him. But Bard won him over and soon Kona would curl up in his lap too. My pregnancy was hard on him because he couldn't sleep on my lap and Bard didn't want him on my side of the bed because of the whole cat disease thing. Kona would just try and try until we finally had to kick him out. Poor cat, it's not like it got better after we brought Evelyn home! For the most part he was not impressed with our decision to have a baby! He pretty much steered clear of her and still was not happy that she took up my lap. But after a while he got my lap back and started sleeping with me again, so all was good.

I'm sad when I open the front door and don't have to watch for him to shoot outside. I miss him jumping up from a sleeping position, tearing around the room and then laying back down again. I wish he would run up to the door one more time when I come home, and I wouldn't even mind hearing his incessant meowing as he begs to be fed!

I wish he would have lived longer so that Evelyn would be able to remember him, but we have pictures to show her. And I'm sure we'll get another cat, and even a dog if she begs her father enough! I think it's great for kids to have pets growing up. It provides companionship and teaches responsibility, and then there is that whole great thing about animals and unconditional love. I'm sure whatever pet we have next, Evelyn will love and play with, and dress up in little hats and dresses.

Goodbye Mr Kitty, we love you and you'll always be part of our family.