My Jack

What do you say when you've had a cat for 12 1/2 years?

We lost our cat, Jack, on Monday. All I can say is I am heartbroken.

I remember so well when I took him home as a kitten. He was the orange kitten that was climbing the front of the cage, where the other kittens just sat inside. The foreshadowing of quite a personality.

This cat was more dog than cat. He was the one who greeted people at the door when we had visitors. He was the one who would open all my kitchen cabinet doors while I was gone, which would freak me out. He got into more trouble than any other cat I have had. And, now I miss him terribly.

The last few days I have tried to remember all the ways he just aggravated me, but I just can't. All I can think of is this link to my college days, getting married, our first house, vet school and children is gone. I feel that him being gone this way, I let him down. And, in turn, let myself down. Of course, had I known, I would have done things differently. But, being human and not knowing, I don't think I would have.

Thank goodness our kids are too young to understand. That also makes me sad, because they will never remember him. But, I guess that would be more for my comfort, not theirs.

Having lost special pets before, I know that time will help. I just wish time would speed up for a little while.