Grieving

My dearest ancient lady, my Cookie monster, love of my life.

You left me Monday morning, at 4:45a. You were in my arms, and loved. I held you all night long, knowing the end was near, and then, here it was.

I found you in CO, in a humane society in Colorado Springs. You came into my life and quickly took over. You knew what you wanted and you found a way to get it! By the time you bit me the first time, I was in love, and I never looked back. You bit my friends, my boyfriends, my clothing, my furniture. You took over my favorite overstuffed chair, and attacked anyone who sat in it. You loved cookies, Fortune Cookies were your favorite. I would save them for you. I took you from CO to San Diego, and from there to MI, and then on to TX, where we picked up your love, Victor. From TX back to MI and from there on to Los Angeles. You got really good at long distance drives! You knew if that wire cage went into the car, you might as well sit back, relax and enjoy the ride! (Victor never did learn that...) I remember picking through a McDonald's salad so that you could have some greens on the road, I remember sneaking you in to dozens of hotels and motels in every state. I remember you and Victor romping on the hotel beds, thrilled to be out and streaching. Remember that silly woman who watched you play at a rest stop and finally came over to announce that you were "the strangest looking cat she had ever seen!"

You had a garden with a broccili plant in San Diego, and you built the most beautiful nest under it. You would spend all day working on it, digging and chewing and rearranging.

And the yard at the French house, where I would lay out my blanket and you would curl up next to me in the sun. Occaissionally you would get up to dig a hole in the grass, and then come back to flop next to me smelling of fresh dirt.

The cat you attacked in TX, who promptly hid under the bed for the rest of the day. That cat dared to get down into a pounce. Well, you showed it who was boss! That cat was 4 times your size, and you chased it right out of the living room.

Hiding from that Silly Victor when he first came home with us. You had the best hiding places in the room, and it would often take Victor and I hours to find you.

The memories go on and on, Cookie. You were the biggest part of my life for the last 8 1/2 years. You bossed me around and taught me how to love you. You taught me how to care for young feisty bunnies, and how to care for old ancient ladies. You showed me where it hurt and told me how to hold you to make it better.

I will never forget you, my love. You will be in my heart forever, and may we meet again at the Rainbow Bridge, you will all 4 feet working again, and we will travel on forever together.