There is a fresh grave here at Windy Poplars. Recently we had to say goodbye to our 15 year old beautiful gray calico, Autumn Joy. While we had become closer to our two dogs than to her of late (she became a rather aloof, crotchety old girl in her golden years - who would rather keep her royal distance than hang out with us plebeians), there is still a huge hole in our lives.
Many of her little quirks were endearing, and we find ourselves expecting her to be there when we open a tuna can, or waiting for us at the door when we get home, or running into the bathroom when we draw a bath (she was a rare cat who liked water), or taunting the pooches into chasing her around the house, or jumping up on the coffee table to knock the fresh flowers out of the vase (ok, maybe that wasn't so endearing)...
She had been a part of our lives since we were married. And our home, our life, is not the same without her.
So hug your pets a little closer today. The short years they spend as a part of our families, loving us unconditionally, and bringing so much laughter and joy to our days, are such a treasure.
