Little George Is Dead, By James Vaughn

May 14, 2006

  Someone once said, "Dog is man's best friend"....I'd like to include cats as well.

  George was born on March 30, 2005 at 2 p.m. He was one of several in the litter, but George was somewhat special. I named him after my dad, because George was so small, yet mighty.

  George was a black cat, with some reddish tint to him. He was tiny, yet so full of energy. George seemed to like just about everybody, and all the cats seemed to take special notice of George., by that I mean even his brothers would clean him, and always rub heads together. He was the center of attention always. George was always doing something really cute.

  George would always climb whatever I had on and sit on my shoulder. He would always come into the house with me when I'd get food for the other cats. He was the cheerful greeter to my 86 year old mother. He would sit in the swing outside with her, as if he was protecting her. He just loved people.

  I know it isn't right to have a "pick of the litter", but how could anyone resist George? He was my buddy. He was everyone's buddy who knew him.

  George was a survivor, as you may know someone slaughtered 9 of his brothers and sisters last summer/fall. George would always help "cover the dirt" on the graves I dug, he just always was wanting to help in his own little way. George had quit growing at six months of age, he was a tiny cat.

  May 5th, 2006--George disappeared, then he was found on May 10th, 2006--5 days he was trapped in a garage. He was just fine as soon as I got him to the door, and he seen home, and headed straight for his brothers. I thought maybe the storm was over for awhile. Times have been kind of tough lately. Just last night I was on the back steps with the cats, and George climbed onto my lap, it may seem odd, but I thanked God for the love He had provided me with these animals.

  This morning I went out to feed the cats, George was at the door to greet me, he came in and walked in the living room to greet my mother. Then we walked out and I fed the cats as usual. Petting them as they ate. George tore into his favorite meal and I petted him on the back and I went into the house.

  At 10:54 a.m., our neighbor called and let us know a cat had been hit in front of the house. When I seen the cat, I thought it was "Shadow" George's brother, when they are laid out on the road, they change appearance. I then seen the reddish tint around his neck, and knew it was George. George was still warm, yet his eyes had the "thousand yard stare".

  This was a tough one, as his brothers gathered around him, I think they knew their brother was dead. One ran off towards the swing, others licked his head as if they were saying, "Wake Up George"! I petted George and told him I loved him, and thanked him for all his love he had shown not only me, but anyone who went around him.

  I buried George next to my dog in the back yard. I lost my dog Christmas of 2000, and was saving that spot next to her for something special, I just never thought it would be so soon. I never thought George would be gone so soon.

  As I went out to feed the cats this afternoon, I noticed the silence. The cats seemed to actually know they have suffered a great loss to their family. I seen George's birthday present, a purple mouse seemed to be waiting for George to pick it up again, and sling it around the back yard. The cold breeze chilled to the bone, and I looked at George's grave, still not able to take it in he's gone forever.

  I know George should not have wandered into the front street, but whatever happened to the days when a person who would strike an animal with their car would lay the dead animal to the side of the road? Maybe I'm old fashioned, but out of respect...then again respect seems to be an "old word from the past" anymore.

  So George has died May 14, 2006 around 10:45 a.m. barely a year old, and his once always purring warm body, now underground and so cold.

  I publicly thank God for letting George be a part of my life for a little over a year. I will miss that little fellow.

  Rest In Peace, George 2005-2006.

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