Reggie: In Memoriam (1993 - 2007)

On Tuesday, January 16 2007 at 3:50 am, my cat of 14 years passed away due to complications from Feline Chronic Renal Failure (kidney failure).

He was diagnosed on Saturday, January 6th and spent the next five days at an emergency animal hospital. I brought him home on Thursday, January 11 and was able to spend the following four days with him. Though weak from his ordeal at the hospital (he's always hated the vet) he was quite happy to be home and would purr even if you'd just glance at him. I am thankful that I got to spend that time with him.

In September of 1993, I adopted Reggie from the pound. He and his siblings had been picked up in a field as strays and were very young. What separated him from the rest of the kittens was that he was totally black (except for a small white patch on his chest) and quite rambunctious.

Except for one scare in 1999, he was a healthy cat, albeit an overweight cat (uh, I mean “big boned”).

As with all pets, he had quite the personality. The cutest thing he’d do was to crawl under the covers of the bed to sleep. I’d come home and find this ball curled up in my bed. Of course I’d wake him up by sliding my hand under the covers to pet him (which would make him purr like there was no tomorrow).

Tuesday, I was awakened to my worst fear; Reggie was in his final minutes. My god! That is the hardest thing to watch because there is nothing that can be done. Amid the fresh snow falling and my constant convulsions of emotion, I drove his body one last time to the emergency hospital for cremation. His ashes are being sent to Eastern Washington where they will be sprinkled in an orchard; such is the circle of life.

So it is with a heavy heart that I say a final goodbye to my friend and companion. Rest in peace Reggie, you are already missed.