Every morning for sixteen years, our dear cat Andre woke us with a throaty greeting. We couldn’t sleep in. Andre always made sure we started our day.
Last week, I realized a day would come when Andre was gone and I would miss his morning ritual. That day came on Monday.
We awoke not to his usual hearty urging but to a barely audible sound. He was on the bed between us, laid flat, looking up at us, telling us he was not well. We knew immediately he’d had a stroke. By the end of the day, a day of suffering and tears, we had to put him to sleep.
Andre brought us many years of love. He was a gentle soul and a part of our family. Our daughter was just ten years old when we brought Andre home. He was there when she was growing up and there when she came home from college. We had hoped he would be there at least one last time when she comes home this Christmas.
We lost a friend and we miss him. We are saddened but we are thankful for the years he was with us.
We all have many things to give thanks for this holiday season. One thing we should remember is the unconditional love and companionship of our pets. Don’t take them for granted. Give them a little extra attention today, this week, this month. You never know when it might be their last.
