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We said goodbye at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, 30th September 2008. The pain and loss I have felt ever since has been immense. Wherever I go in the house, I still find your fur and for the first time in 16 years, I welcome it. My one regret is that you and I never had a photograph together. In fact, I don’t even have many photographs of you on your own. The one picture I will never lose from my mind is the way that you used to sit at my feet and stare at me for ages which, as you well know, used to spook me out. If only you were here to do that now. The other things I will remember fondly are the little sounds that you used to make to attract my attention – not a cry – but a funny little sound – it was your little way of saying “I am here you know – don’t you ignore me”. I am sure you were talking to me in your own language. Who else but me could have taught their cat to do the “high five”? What other cat would fall on their side, put their legs in the air on the instruction of “Are You Begging”? Emma, you behaved more like a dog. You loved your comb. I used to show it to you, tap the top of it and you used to meow, jump up on the chair next to me and be in your element whilst I groomed you. Never ever in your life did you scratch me or hiss at me. So often in the evenings, I would arrive home from my day at work and I would see your little head at the front door looking for me. Every time I used to sing “I’m Not At All In Love” from “The Pyjama Game”, on certain notes, you too would meow – we did a good duet together. I don’t think any other person would have had such a bond with their pet as I had with you. How wicked was I, every time I saw a house spider, to say “Emma – Spider” and then to watch you chase it, play with it and then to enjoy chewing it until every last morsel had gone. You had so much trust in me and I certainly tricked you on quite a few occasions i.e. enticing you into a room only then to sit astride you and give you a pedicure or, worst than that, to pick you up and place you in that much hated cage. I will always remember some of the things I said to you which you always understood, such as:- “Emma – I’m going to get the hoover out”! Your eyes went as big as saucers and you scarpered to your hiding place. “Emma – What are you doing?” – Your tail would start to wag from side to side. “Do you want to go home?” – I always used to ask you this just as the vet had finished with you. It was the only time in the surgery that you would ever make a sound and I know it was your way of saying “Yes I do”. Remember the time at Greensted that you had been poorly and I slept in the downstairs bedroom with you. Where you were so determined to sleep in the arch of my back – I landed up visiting the chiropractor. I forgave you though. Only Uncle Ian has witnessed all your talents – the high five particularly, the begging, the holding of paw and hand. Emma – I shall miss you always and pray to God that one day when I come to meet you again, we will play our little games together in his house. With love Always and Always. |
My
Beloved Emma