(Written for Red A One Of A Kind Cat Born May 16, 1989 - February 28, 2003)

He came into my life quite suddenly. My sister called to tell me that the people who had purchased “Red”, a Red Point Siamese from her years ago, didn’t want him anymore. When my sister sells a kitten it’s in her agreement that the owners let her know if he changes hands. They told her they wanted to sell him or find him a home. My sister thought because he was declawed, overweight, and not a young cat anymore that the likelihood of selling him was slim, but said she’d ask around and see if anyone would want him. After she mentioned it to me, I kept thinking about him. I just had to go see him. As soon as I gazed into his big blue eyes I was lost.

To make a long story short, I took him home, how could I not? But he was a mess. They had declawed him, and his little feet were severely deformed, which was completely unnecessary because he used my cat pole every morning. When he tried to jump he’d fall, because he had no claws. His teeth were rotten, and when he cleaned his coat, his whole body smelled. Luckily for him, I have allergies, and couldn’t smell a thing!! After he settled in I got most of his teeth pulled, then he no longer smelled and was much happier.

The first year he spent most of the time hiding in my bed. I had three other cats, and he was afraid. Being declawed didn’t help. I also discovered that he was afraid of people. When my parents would visit he would belly crawl. When we went on vacation, he cried in the car. I think he thought I was going to give him away. After a few car trips he must have realized that all my cats travelled together with me to the cottage and back, and I never gave anyone away. He was not a bad traveller after he felt secure.

The longer I had him the more I realized how very special he was. He didn’t meow, he mooed, and wowed. He made really funny high pitched squeeks when you petted him or talked to him. I thought at first I was hurting him!! When I’d get home from work, he’d be right beside me on the couch. At night he snuggled as close as possible.

Well, as suddenly as he came into my life - he left it. I took him to my Vet because he didn’t want to eat, and that was not like him. I figured it was a virus. I thought they’d rehydrate him, and I could take him home. Then they told me he was in kidney failure. I would have liked to have had one more night to say goodbye, but in the end I couldn’t make him suffer any longer. It was a hard decision. I looked into his eyes and petted him, and he purred. But his eyes were dark from pain, not bright blue anymore. I gently held him, told him he was a good boy, that I loved him, and he went peacefully to sleep. But now the house is so quiet. His place beside me is empty, but I know he is still with me in my heart. I promised him that he’d always be with me, and I would never give him away. He was a treasured and beloved member of my family. He left his paw prints on my heart!

Author: Sharon Anne Serbin
Country: Canada
True story: Yes
Rating: 4 paws up
Vote: Vote up Vote down

Previous story: Cooba and Advocat | Back to story list | Next story: Valentine the wonder dog

Back to story list