PETS REMEMBERED

Felix

Felix came to us as a stray, digging for food in our trash.

Being a cat person and not wanting him to go hungry, I left food and a cat bed for him on an outside work bench, hoping he would find it.

We had a mature tabby male cat, Buster, who was king of our garden and home.

As Buster grew older, one day we came home to find him and Felix lying together in a sunny flower bed, sound asleep. If Buster could be friends with this cat, we knew he had to be special.

As years went by, he showed us he was not only gentle and loving, but had keen senses, was watchful and alerted us to any intruders. When Buster became ill and died, Felix helped us get past our sorrow.

Every afternoon Felix would wait for me to come home and greet me in the driveway. If I was at home in my workshop, he would hang out on the walkway until he determined it was time for us to quit. Then he would pass through the workshop meowing to let me know that it was time to go inside for the evening and to have dinner and lap time.

He was playful in the evenings, wrestling and pretend fighting with me. (I wore an old leather garden glove to protect my hand from sharp claws).

He never bit too hard or drew blood. He knew it was just for fun.

When I would hot tub in the evening, he would lie on the perimeter deck, lick my arm, and wait to follow me into the house. He was beloved. He was spoiled. If he wanted the prime spot in our double bed, he got it. We would maneuver carefully in the middle of the night not to disturb him. He was always so polite with all his moves; we couldn't help but indulge him.

There was no sleeping in with him, not even on weekends. Once he had us up, and of course having eaten his breakfast, he would return to the bed for a couple more hours sleep.

I've had many cats in my life, but none as special as Felix. He brought us immense joy and love.

He is always close to my heart, and we miss him so much.

I will be forever grateful that he came into our lives.