A Tribute to my Friend

Last night in the night, my faithful friend, Fred passed away... I really loved this cat and I've been weepy today whenever I think I about him. Indulge me as I remember him - this is therapy to me... :)

He became my family's pet in 1991. My Dad got him when he first moved out and when he moved back in, Fred became a member of the family. I remember many nights, Fred sleeping in the corner of my waterbed, by my feet, when I was in high school.

Joel and I adopted him in 1999 when my Dad didn't have room for him in his Gilbert apartment. Fred had two annoying things about him - he meowed alot (which was annoying in our apartment and also not good, since we weren't allowed to have pets) and he always wanted to sleep on or next to someone's head at night.

The first night Fred lived with us, he made the mistake of trying to snuggle up next to Joel's face. Joel didn't grow up with pets and it was a startling thing - a cat smothering him while he slept... Without knowing what he was doing, (or what was trying to smother him) Joel grabbed Fred off his face and threw him. Fred wasn't hurt, but I was horrified... :)

For the last 9 years or so, I've given Fred a dedicated pillow to sleep on -- it is above my regular pillows and we had an understanding about who got to sleep on what pillow. My allergy doctor thought this was the worst idea she's ever heard.

Fred was as faithful to me as anyone probably ever has been (save Joel :). Since he came to live with us, he was clearly my cat - he followed me from room to room and most of the time, he would be in the way. If I would try to change the kids' diapers, he seemed like he would always be between me and the baby. He's the type of cat that would lay on a gameboard if you were playing a game or would be right in the middle of the wrapping paper while you were opening Christmas presents.

Freddy loved to lay under the Christmas tree (and chew on the branches and light wires), so last night when I knew it was time for goodbyes, I laid him on a comfortable blanket and let him spend his last night there. I hardly slept all night for thinking about him and before Joel left this morning, I sent him up to check on him. I just couldn't do it.

Fred was such a good friend to me. He sat next to me when I cried over things in high school, cried over my parents' divorce, celebrated our new house where he could roam outside, and he was there waiting to meet them when we brought each of the kids home from the hospital. I loved this cat and I am going to miss him. So much.