My Friend

Poee7R

So its been about ten years now since my mother called to tell me that on her way into a store, a little black and white kitten had followed her from her car to the door of the store. As she was leaving this same kitten was still sitting outside of the door, and followed her back to her car, and that she now had a cat. Well things happen, and shortly after he made my house his house.

The countless nights of him attacking my feet at 3am, to then learning he got a grander response from attacking my face instead. All claws and teeth, yes there was blood, mine. Always jumping on and attacking the dogs like he was a ninja. Running with the them, as if he was a dog, punk never figured out he wasnt one of em.

I would head into bed at night, to a cat sleeping with my wife in my bed. Of course he has to sleep on my pillow, hair and all. Then after I move him off the bed, he waits for me to get under the covers and hops on my side, kneads and mushes like Im pizza dough and dozes off after 15 minutes of purring.

Which reminds me of when he was accidently shut in the bedroom one morning after the wife and I left for work. It was great to come home and realize that would of had to use the bathroom at some point in the day, and he did. Yep, my pillow. To say I was unhappy would of been a bit of an understatement. I even recall the half lidded stare I got from him when I walked in the room, I still swear he had a grin on his face... definitely purring. A bit of advise, if a cat happens to ever soil your bed, you dont bother trying to clean the sheets, comforter, pillows or bed. You throw them out, and buy all new. Trust me, it will save you alot of frustration.

And years go on, different place's, home's, friend's etc. You know, life in general.

This morning around 7am my wife wakes me up with tears in her eye's. He passed away sometime during the night. Curled up in the doorway, no different then if he was asleep.

Not really sure what the reason was, just his time some would say. Calling my mom to let her know, was one of the hardest things Ive had to do, I doubt my eye's will be dry for sometime. He was important to alot of us.

I buried him a little while ago in a nice shaded spot by a tree in the yard that he used to sharpen his blades of terror on. Yeah still a few marks on my hands and forearms, we liked to wrassle sometimes haha. No worries, I assure you I got the worst of it, each and every damn time.

The little homeless bum cat, that I didnt even want, that attacked me in my sleep, became such a part of my life. I gave him the best life I could and hope theres a good place out there for him, I look forward to running into him again someday.

His name is Acky, he is my friend, and I will miss him.


Dave

VR3

Well written Dave!

Rest in peace Acky!

shack

“Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.” - Dr. Seuss

RIP Acky.

Jstas

Sorry to hear that. My GF has 3 cats that came with her when she moved in. She gets mad because, for some reason, they follow me around the house like my own little cat brigade. She doesn't understand why they like me so much. I couldn't tell you either. But they sit on me all the time. The follow me and meow at me all the time. If I'm leaving for work, they sit in front of the door and try to block my way. If I am in the bathroom, taking a shower or whatever, they camp out in front of the closed door and sometimes howl until I open the door. When I go to bed, the sleep all over me.

I yell at them constantly to stop doing certain things or to get off the kitchen or dining room tables. They destroy stuff or just make a mess getting in to where they aren't supposed to. I chase them and squirt them with water all the time but yet they are still attached to me for some reason.

I ask them all the time who they think is the boss and they just stare blankly at me. I tell them all the time "You know, starving kittens in China would kill to have it as good as you!" Again, blank stares. They do their best to run the house hold. Have a laptop on your lap? They sit on it. Put the laptop down, they move. Pick it up again and they are back. Eating dinner? They want what you have. Break off a piece and give it to them and they turn their noses up at it. Pfft. Cats. They have no idea how good they have it.

When any one of them passes, that's going to be a rough day not just dealing with the loss of the pet but dealing with the GF. Best thing you could do was give him a home to lord over and that you did. Sometimes we don't always get to chose our friends. They chose us and those are often times the best friends we could have. Me and my kitty brigade will break out the treats in memory of Acky for you.

Oldfatdogs

Sorry for the loss of your friend!!Dan

FTGV

Sorry for the loss of your friend Dave.My family are cat lovers and know how attached to them you can get.

schwarcw

I'm sorry to hear the bad news about your little friend Acky. I know how hard it is. My son brought home a cat when he returned from college. I never wanted or even liked cats. His cat was with us for seven years before she passed. She was my little friend.

R.I.P. Acky!!!

cfrizz

My condolences. He had a long life & a peaceful end, you can't ask for more than that.

txcoastal1

It always seems so short with our lil' friends...RIP

Each one is different in our hearts ...rescue another...its not a cure but it helps

fossy

Your Acky sounds alot like a cat that I had in younger years.He sure would tear me up when we played. I remember one day, a few friends were over & standing around with our heads under the hood of my 68 cutlass. I had just rejetted the ole quadrajet carb & were discussing whatever. Cat ( that was his name) came running up & went up one leg , up the back & turned around on the neck area & then back down the other leg. OUCH .. I just turned to my friends & said ..... I guess he loves me.....

Your story brought tears to my eyes & obviously trigged many memories of CAT.Thank you for sharing & my condolences on your loss.

Michael

megasat16

Sorry for your loss, Dave!

It's not easy to describe the loss of such a friend who lives beside you for many years. But Acky has now gone to a better place and you'll hopefully reunite with him over the Rainbow bridge one day!

txcoastal1

Nice Keiko but for the pet lovers thats hard to read without getting choked up...brings back old memories though...thanks

dorokusai

Great story Poee7R, thanks for posting that.

Sherardp

Sorry for your loss bro. Made me shed a tear for ya. R.I.P little guy.

jflail2

Sorry for your loss Dave. Funny how the little buggers become part of the family so quickly.

I think I'll go spoil mine with some extra treats...

reeltrouble1

I think there is a place for all God's animals to rest although I dont know how to explain it with words. Acky was saved and touched you and family.

May Acky Rest having had a good life on earth.

RT1

george daniel

That act of kindness demonstrated will be shown to you(maybe already) things happen for a reason. Sorry for your loss.

RIP Acky

sda2mike

Acky was a good cat

lightman1

Tip O' the Hat to Acky, Dave..

Poee7R

Thanks for the good thoughts towards Acky, he would dig the attention. Its been a longer day than most, but it'll end.

Wife found a bunch of pictures and we're doing a bit of laughing and remembering. Thanks again for the ear, felt good to talk about him a bit. Now I think Ill go wrestle a bit with the dogs and call it an early night. They seem to need a bit of cheering up.


Dave

wz2p7j

Sorry about your loss. Acky sounded like a good kitty ...


Chris

starkiller

Very sorry to hear of your loss! Your story made me think of my own cat, Chloe. She is 17 and thinks the world revolves around her, and in our house, it does:biggrin: I dread when that day comes and the decision needs to be made. You wrote your story with humor and kindness, I hope I can match that when its time!

headrott

Thanks Dave for sharing about Acky. We had to put one of our dogs to sleep (Yellow lab named Cody) 3 weeks ago, and our other dog Stubby (Corgy/Chow mix, yeah I know.....) ended up throwing up blood and dying about 4 days later. It was like Stubby couldn't live without Cody. We adopted them at the same time from an animal shelter about 13 years ago and they were pals. One just couldn't live without the other. Sad.:frown:

I feel your pain and hope it gets easier for you and your family. Glad you remember what a good friend Acky was to you.

Greg

Fireman32

So sorry to hear about the loss of Acky.

cindy100

So sorry about Acky... thank you for giving him a home and a chance at life. I agree with others, very well written.

ESavinon

Great eulogy for a best friend. RIP Acky.

Joe08867

You gave him a good life and he gave you memories to cherish.

Godspeed Acky, My condolences to your wife and you.

steveinaz

Sorry to hear that man, condolences for kitty.

muncybob

Always a bummer to lose a friend. Acky's description is almost exactly how I would have described my buddy Tom. I'm not really a "cat person" but even after 2+ years I still miss Tom...guess we will always miss those that leave us with fond memories.
RIP Acky....

mrbigbluelight

Flat out 10+, Poee7R ; very nicely written. thanks for sharing.

And thanks, Keiko, for posting that link, too. Very, very nice.

We used to have a cat, Bugsy, that would jump up on my chest at night, pump for awhile, than lay down. I'd CAREFULLY rub her check (She was "Momma's Cat" 100%) and she'd just purr and purr. Her chest would get mega warm. Purr Purr Purr. After awhile, I'd think, "Hey, maybe this cat is going to learn to like someone other than Momma !".
Nope.
Purr, Purr, Purr, ...... about a second and a half pause .... time enought for my neurons to start firing an SOS of "WATCH OUT !" ..... then ....... CHOMP.
And she'd bounce off the bed after biting my arm (felt like a bear trap).
GD cat never learned. And neither did I. :redface:

Yep, Ackly had it pretty nice, I'd say. He did right by you, and you did right by him.

carwashguy

Sorry for your loss. As an owner of four dogs and two cats, I would be devastated to loose one. Good to see another Polkie in OKC.