My precious Kitty

This evening, November 25, 2008, at approximately 6:10 pm, my precious Kitty passed away. He was my most faithful and loving companion for more than 16 years... together, we've lived in 4 states and 5 different homes... because of him, I never actually lived alone. It's amazing when I reflect and think about everything we've been through together. I am so grateful to have had as much time as we've had... 16 years is a long time!

His passing was quiet and peaceful... we were at the vet when it happened. I picked him up from the hospital early Monday afternoon and had him home with us overnight. He seemed so much happier and definitely more relaxed once we got him home and comfortable. That was the best decision I could've made... bring him home so we could all spend time together, rest comfortably, and say good-bye (and "until we meet again"). It's interesting... his mother, Kitsu (my dear friend Megan's cat) passed away not too long ago herself... maybe they're together again.

Kitty was just the best pet anyone could ask for... he was loving (to me, anyway), adorable, cuddly and playful; he talked to me (and sometimes even yelled/barked at me) and he even hugged me in the past several years when I would pick him up and take him outside (he'd wrap his paws around my neck and bury his face in my neck and shoulder - I guess he didn't like the outdoors in his old age). I always used to say he was a dog trapped in a cat's body - he played fetch with Q-tips (believe it or not!), his way of telling us it's time to feed him sometimes sounded more like a bark than a meow, and of course, as most of you know, he was about the size of a small dog (I always said he was "big boned")! It's going to be so difficult the times I come home to an empty house... that hasn't happened in almost 2 decades. I miss him soooo very much, but will always look back and smile when I think about him and the time we had together. Honestly, I'm a bit surprised at how deeply it hurts right now... I've been thinking he's getting up there in age and wondering if his time to leave us was near. Now that it's actually happened, it's like there is a little empty place inside me and it just aches. I guess I shouldn't be surprised... after all, he was a member of our family!

Look how adorable he was when I first brought him home to my college townhouse in NJ in 1992...

Zachary loved Kitty, too! (I've mentioned that in previous blog entries.) They were Bro's as I've often referred to them. Zachary's second recognizable word after "Da Da" was "Dit-tee." He would point to him or speed crawl after him saying, "Dittee"... and when he would catch up to Kitty, he'd pucker up, gently lay his lips on Kitty's fur and plant a kissy on him, MWAH sound-effect and all! I wish Zachary was going to remember Kitty, but I know that won't be the case... I have tons of pictures of them together, so I'll always share with Zachary how precious his very first pet was and how much I could tell they loved one another.

I'll never forget how special you were, Bandit "Kitty" Ashmen Goodman... rest in peace, buddy!