5/21/09
This post is two days late...
Almost ten years ago, we found a two-day-old white kitten with gray spots. He still had his umbilical cord attached. He was one of the lucky ones, along with a sibling we also saved who, unfortunately, passed on two days later. We hadn't realized at that time there was probably a reason the mother left the kittens behind. Screamer had a few problems, to say the least. His eyes never grew in, so he was blind. He had gum disease from the beginning so most of his teeth never grew in and of the ones that did, some fell out throughout his life. His large intestine was too big so he had some trouble pooping. And he didn't know how to meow like a regular cat...hence his name, "Screamer." He truly sounded like a child walking around crying when he lost his blankie, someone wasn't cuddling with him and he was in the mood, and for any other number of reasons.
I'm sad because we never took pictures of him when he was that small because none of us believed he would survive. We had to syringe feed him at first because he didn't know how to suckle a bottle. He had fleas that we had to pick off with our hands (and accidentally pinched him many times in the process). His head grew at a faster rate than the rest of his body at the beginning of his life...and then seemed to abruptly stop while his body continued to grow, and eventually outgrow, that adorable head. There are too many beautiful memories with this amazingly special cat that truly makes him one of a kind. We will never again have such a special spirit in our homes. I'll even miss the mess he made with his food because he never learned how to properly eat, or from the water he used to love to play in and leave our entire carpet under water.
He got cancer (we believe) and rapidly lost weight in the three months since I've been in LA. He didn't have any weight to lose as he's always been a skinny kitty. So my mom made the painful decision and ended his suffering last Thursday. But I know we gave him a chance no one else would have and I will miss that special man. Richard always said "even the birds are laughing at him." (He used to share his food outside, waiting for his bird friends to come join him - needless to say, not the typical cat.)
Anyway, just wanted to say..."Rest in Peace my beautiful friend. Wish I could have given you one more kiss. You will be in our hearts forever. I love you honey."
