Once there was a kitten....

This blog entry is dedicated to the memory of our sweet cat Pumpkin who died 3/23/2008.

Once there was a orange kitten named Pumpkin who was born with his 3 brothers and sister in June, 2005. He was the smallest of the bunch and wasn't getting big as fast as the other kittens. So, a nice neighbor lady offered to feed him kitten formula for a few days and we fed him tunafish after that. Then, he began to grow big and strong.

The kids sure loved to play with him and the other kittens, but I'm not sure how much they liked playing with the kids!

Soon, Pumpkin and some of his brothers and sister were old enough to go to new homes. But, Pumpkin decided that he would rather be with his mom and brother. Even though we called his new family, they never came to get him. Secretly, I was glad. Because of his early struggles, Pumpkin always held a special place in my heart.

Pumpkin grew to be a pretty big cat. He loved to wander though. He d being locked up inside (unless it was snowing or raining). Most of the time he would be back within a few hours, or a whole day. Sometimes, he was gone for a day or two. Once, he was gone for 3 days and we had to bail him out of "jail".

He had some funny habits like flushing the toilet, then leaning over the seat to watch the water swirl. He had some annoying habits like scratching on our bedroom door at 5 in the morning to be let outside and chewing on my earplugs if I left them out on my nightstand. He had some very endearing habits like 'talking' to you when you happened upon him sleeping. He'd meow once, then I would say, "Hello, there!" "Meow," he'd answer. "Have you been taking a nice nap?" "Meow, Meow." "I'm so glad to hear that!" "Meow."

He loved to catch butterflies and the occasional bird or two. He didn't like to snuggle much, but if I picked him up while he was fast asleep, he'd finish his nap in my arms.

Well, the weekend of March 22st, he decided to go to where ever he goes when he disappears for a day or so. I called for him Saturday night and Sunday night. On Monday I was preparing to drive around the neighborhood calling him, when J came in, visibly shaken, saying that he found Pumpkin, saying that he was "unconscious". He took me to where he found him. My heart sank. The poor cat was in the gutter in front of our neighbor's house. He had probably died the night before.

I went to the house and grabbed my old housecoat and wrapped him in it. We went to the back yard and I called my husband and let him know what happened and that I most likely wouldn't be able to dig a grave for him. But, J grabbed the shovel and he began to dig, and dig, and dig. I took a few turns and C took a few turns. We'd take a break and go over to Pumpkin and pet his head, or his paw or his ear. I trimmed fur from our favorite places to pet him (behind his ear, behind his front leg, on his belly) to save in a plastic bag. We'd cry. I think I was hit the hardest and I cried the most.

By the time my husband had gotten home from work, the grave was finished. We buried him and said a prayer.

Pumpkin, I know you're waiting for us! Have fun chasing bugs and butterflies and dozing in the sun....