I am admonished because I haven’t written enough about our girls and Bette is the admonisher.
When Bette and I met I had Greylock (named after the mountain in northern Massachusetts) and Bette, Sammy (I don’t remember the genesis of Sammy’s name-damn). They graced our home for many years.
About two weeks into our relationship Bette comes over to my apartment which was down the hall from hers and expresses concern and panic over Sammy swallowing a small rubber band. We called the Vet… and was told it would probably pass and to check her feces; if no rubber band to bring her in. I don’t know how many guys out there can say their girlfriend fell in love with them because they didn’t mind checking said girlfriend’s cat poop for a rubber band. Fast forward to our living together and guess who had litter duty, yours truly.
We got Enya (named after the singer) shortly after Sammy passed and Tammy (named after the Debbie Reynold’s movie) not long after Greylock passed.
Bette is with Sammy and Greylock now. I close my eyes and imagine the homecoming. If there are no tears in heaven that’s okay because I’m shedding enough tears of joy to compensate.
Enya is seven and Tammy four. They are indoor cats. We adopted them from shelters. They are our companions and we love them dearly.
At the shelter Bette picked up several to hold but only Enya leaned into her and I said “she chose you” and Bette nodded with a smile. Enya is a calico with soft brown hair and peach highlights and Bette would say the cutest nose. Tammy is a munchkin with the tuxedo color pattern. Bette found her photo on line and couldn’t get over how cute she was. When we got to the shelter home we found out she was the runt of the litter and that endeared her even more.
Enya is our royalty; an aloof Princess. When she deigns to have you pet her, the rub against the leg couldn’t be harder. Bette and I loved that about her.
Tammy makes Bette and I laugh with what we call her flops. She would take several steps, tip and then fall to her side.
Do they miss their Mom; yes they do. They will visit her side of the bed and curl up. They are less active and I wonder about depression. When I come home they are at the door with a look of expectation (that’s how I interpret it) but less so lately.
I know they know Bette is not here. That sentence alone tears at my heart. But somewhere in their being the wondering why rips it out!
Love to you all
and notably
those with pets
johncrawford009 
John,
Animals are amazing creatures. I believe that is why God made them before man. I believe that part of Bette’s Spirit has remained in Enya and Tammy and they are there to help alleviate the pain. They feel the loss also. I know that after Dad died, Zoey knew something was different and that Dad was no longer here. To this day when someone comes onto the porch she runs to the door in anticipation that her old friend who always spent time petting her and, of course, feeding her under the table various forms of goodies, would be walking through that door. She is sad once she realizes that it is not Dad. Dad always had a special place in his heart for dogs. From Bandit, to Corey to Rocky and now Zoey. He always said that God is a Dog lover, after all, look at the spelling. But I’m sure that Bette is in the process of having Cats a part of that conversation.
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Beautiful piece.
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