Spunky

Many years ago my mother rescued you from certain death. Your big ol' eyes made her melt, as they eventually did us all. She brought you home and after a while the boss of the house, a big black cat named Lucifer, decided you could stay.

Your mission soon became to aggravate Lucifer and his was to tolerate you. He did very well. Then came the day Lucifer went to the Rainbow Bridge. You were so lonely, so mom got you another friend, Tinker, and then later on another, Orphan.

She also one day brought home, Yoda, a dog. You and the others didn't quite care for him, but you were all orphans in one way or another, so you all tolerated each other.

Then one day Mom became ill and she went to the Rainbow Bridge to meet Lucifer and all our other Best Friends who left us over the past years. We found homes for everyone but you, so you adopted me.

I moved in Mom's house with my three cats. You all weren't very friendly at first, but in time everyone accepted each other as family.

Over the following years, you saw a couple more of your friends go to the Rainbow Bridge, and more friends would always come in their place.

The last one to come before you left was Vinnie. He was only about eight to ten weeks old when I found him in our backyard. You were tolerating Vinnie like Lucifer did you so many years ago.

Then suddenly you became ill. Dr. Martin tried, but said you were so old, 19 years and that your heart and lungs were most likely giving out. I brought you home and it looked like the medicine was going to work.

But he next day, December 31, 2003, you looked at me with those big 'ol eyes and I knew it was time. It was a hard, hard thing and so sad. Vinnie cried and kept looking for you for several days. He was still just a baby and didn't know where you were. You were, after all, his adopted parent.

You touched many hearts over the many, many years. There is not a day that goes by, that you are not in our thoughts. We miss you very much.

Until we meet again,

Debbie and, of course, Vinnie.