AJ was the neighborhood stray cat. His family had abandoned him when they ran out on the rent. At first, he was just a grey shadow living in the edges of the neighborhood. But over time, people started noticing and caring for him. My Dad and the Tyre’s (another neighborhood family) started taking care of him and loving him.
AJ would visit on occasion, getting food and water. He never stayed long but obviously appreciated what was given to him. Eventually, he was badly injured by another animal, and the Tyre’s took him to the vet to be healed (and neutered, as it turned out). Over time, AJ became less of the rough and tumble tomcat and became more of a loving lapcat. Yet he still refused being an indoors cat-the outside life had too much of a hold on him. However, if the weather got really bad, he knew he always had two safe places to go to.
Dad always kept his favorite foods around, including shaved ham from the deli. AJ would show up for breakfast and dinner, but would stay for lovings and pets. When I came home to visit Dad, I always spent time snuggling with AJ who liked it just as much as I did. I liked to call him the Mike Tyson cat-a big bruiser with a tiny and squeaky voice.
But AJ got old, and got sick. The Tyre’s took him in a week ago, and he seemed to perk up. But Thursday, when they went to feed him, they couldn’t wake him up. That day, they took him to the vet’s and helped him over the Bridge.
So, I say goodnight and goodbye to sweet AJ. I hope you find all the snuggles and shaved ham you want over the Bridge. I’ll miss your purrs and your squeaks when I come home. You are missed by me and Dad. I hope to see you again one day.
AJ would visit on occasion, getting food and water. He never stayed long but obviously appreciated what was given to him. Eventually, he was badly injured by another animal, and the Tyre’s took him to the vet to be healed (and neutered, as it turned out). Over time, AJ became less of the rough and tumble tomcat and became more of a loving lapcat. Yet he still refused being an indoors cat-the outside life had too much of a hold on him. However, if the weather got really bad, he knew he always had two safe places to go to.
Dad always kept his favorite foods around, including shaved ham from the deli. AJ would show up for breakfast and dinner, but would stay for lovings and pets. When I came home to visit Dad, I always spent time snuggling with AJ who liked it just as much as I did. I liked to call him the Mike Tyson cat-a big bruiser with a tiny and squeaky voice.
But AJ got old, and got sick. The Tyre’s took him in a week ago, and he seemed to perk up. But Thursday, when they went to feed him, they couldn’t wake him up. That day, they took him to the vet’s and helped him over the Bridge.
So, I say goodnight and goodbye to sweet AJ. I hope you find all the snuggles and shaved ham you want over the Bridge. I’ll miss your purrs and your squeaks when I come home. You are missed by me and Dad. I hope to see you again one day.
