The Passing of a Beloved Pet

      NickNack's Favorite Reposes 

                

Lilliput was still too new to the household to object to NickNack's strangle-hold--

or was it kitty-love...

                                                                  

       (We had a stern talk about my vase)

Excerpt from the Chapter: The Passing of a Beloved Pet 

There is a lot of soft music in my home; from opera to Viennese operettas, to oldies but goodies. So I thought I should send old Tiffany off with some sweet melody. I chose Time To Say Goodbye, the soulful duet by Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli. Huge mistake. I started bawling, and we were half an hour late for our appointment at the local vet. After Tiffany had peacefully slipped away, and mainly to make amends for such a sad introduction to the practice, I babbled something about ‘most likely not remaining too long without a cat.’ So, if they came across a needy kitten, perhaps they could let me know.

Tentatively, tactfully, Sheilah, the vet’s assistant, piped up with “I have one.”

My hand was on the doorknob. “That’s nice.”

“Would you like to see her?"

I shrugged half-heartedly. More polite than interested, I sighed, “Okay.”

Out she dashed holding a snow-white, black-tailed bundle that sported two black patches on top of the head.

"Would you like to hold her?" That's what is known as ‘a closer.’

The then already six-month-old kitten, she told me, had been found in a box, abandoned outside a high school together with her four two-day-old siblings. The soft-hearted veterinary assistant had bottle-raised all five of them. Amazing, but not surprising once I got to know her. Besides, she certainly worked at the right place for her good deeds. It took exactly one night in my empty house before I went back to collect the silky water-loving Turkish Van, my NickNack.

        Instead of mourning and enduring emptiness of home and heart, I was thus able to celebrate my Himalayan’s eighteen loyal years, thanks to a spunky new companion that stepped deftly into Tiffany's paws. Growing into an elegant, high-legged and high-spirited creature, NickNack truly became my cat. Deep in my heart though, I still think of her as Sheilah's Kitten.

        * * *

       And now, NickNack is gone as well. We miss her.