Rajah

The year was 1998. The 20th century. I had just recently gotten laid off at Shop Vac in November. My ex and I were at the pet store that use to be near Wal Mart in Mountourville just walking through checking out all the critters. It was something that we would do. I can remember clearly coming across this large cage full of kittens. Most the kittens were behaving as you would expect a group of kittens to behave. Then there was this one. He had a white tip on his tail. I remember him walking over to me and sticking is paw out and touching my hand. Simple as that. While I went to the store with no intention on bringing home any pet, on that day I welcomed Rajah into my life.

Today, 19 years later, I had to say good-bye.

Rajah has been with me through everything that I have seemingly ever been through. He was there when my first marriage failed. He was there when my life was in clouds of doubt. He was there when I found the love of my life. He has lived every place I have ever lived as an adult. He was there when my children came home from the hospital after they were born. He was there when my step children entered into my life. He was there when all of my Grandparents passed on. He was there when my Uncle passed on. He was there when I weighed 320lbs. He was there when I weighed 201lbs. He was there when Kida came home and he was there when Kida passed on. He was there when Daisey & Eve both came home as puppies. I could go on an on...

In the end, I thanked him for always being there. When I felt I had nothing, I knew I had him. All he would want is to snuggle and his purr was the perfect thing to put me to sleep. The prefect thing to take me away. I can still hear that purr now... He got me through some very dark days. Something I will never forget.

I’ll miss you Mr. Raju. This is a nickname my mother-in- law gave to him the short time we lived with her and my father-in-law. It fit. His life was long. His life was good. Until this last year, I thought we’d go on forever. The sands of time wait for no one. Anyone that knows me, knows I loved this cat. I will continue to do so as long as my sands are falling in the hour glass.

I am very lucky & blessed to have had such a wonderful companion for the last 19 years.

I love you Rajah.