princesstribute

to Links at

end of page

he was a small handfull of fluff and purr, a petite, loving little cat with a heart as big as all out doors. She ran all our lives, taking up almost as much of my at-home time as did the completion of my daily chores. Coming home was a joy to me, for she was always waiting near the door; waiting for me to enter, pick her up, give her a squeeze, scratch her chin, and then,do it all over again several times more.

In the last several years of her life, she would not use the litter box, but felt it necessary for me to take her outside so she could tend to her 'nature call'; shortly afterward she would demand to be returned to the house for her din-din. And after eating, again, to go outside just once more. She never went anywhere but to the carport or front porch. I guess it was her job in life to see that everything was right with the world.. She would also supervise my outside chores from within her 'nest' located on the carport.

Most of her life she slept (at night) with her head on my arm or in my hand. My left side was her choice of 'warm spot' on a chilly night, even though she had a 'bed' of her own on the computer table. Strange, but she seemed to know when her Mommy or I, was sick, or upset about something; Many times she 'cured' our ailments with her love, although, at times, we did not realize she was anywhere nearby until later. It became natural to us for her to be there.

I had to take her life from her today. She was in great pain and yet, at the last, she tried to crall into my arms for her chin-scratch, neck massage and cuddle, even though it hurt her to move her back legs. I fed her while I held her in my arms, one last meal of her favorite flavour of seafood, althought she could hardly eat. I held her till she turned her face up to mine with that "Can I go outside now?" look. We went out that last time, I sat her in her favorite corner of the yard; She couldn't sit so I held her till she was finished with her chores and ready to go inside again. Then we said "Good Bye!

One of the best parts of my long life has ended this night. Princess Ebony was a small, feisty, long-haired black bundle of love, the last of a long line of beautiful Angora/Persian cats we raised from birth. Her Grandmother was abandoned on the side of the highway in front of my Parent's home many years ago, so, when she asked us to, we took her in. Princess' mother was a beautiful Tuxedo, with a knack for doing no wrong; a trait she passed on to the only girl in the last litter she was allowed to have. Princess lived most of her years with kittens by her side from two separate litters; from the first we kept a black short-hair named Terry Lee, and from the second, a very large black long-hair we named Jon Tomas .

Princess raised, protected, and cared for each of those two little guys for fourteen years, and they, in turn, guarded and protected her. For several years after I had to put the two boys down, ("Tom" a year after Terry) she would roam the house at night calling her children. She always called them when she found din-din in the dinner bowls. When they came to her motherly call, she would always back away and let them eat first, even after Jon Tomas grew to be 3 times her size. She had problems adapting to being alone after the boys left her side, so we added a small RagaMuffin kitten to our family. In no time at all, she was schooling him in the ways of 'Human Control and other necessary Cat training.' Her lessons were well taken. Buddy was accepted into the family with a Motherly purr and open paws.

Two years later, Princess took on the task of raising another, this time a little black short-hair, part Siamese male kitten, a kitten the Cat Goddess Bast would be proud to have raised as her own. He is, personality wise, the image of Terry Lee. Princess saw to that. His year of training came to an end tonight, althought I know Buddy will be able to continue the task quite well. I know they will miss her. I have caught myself pausing this writing to look over to where Princess' 'nest' has been since the first day we added the computer console to the household in 1998. I think maybe it's just as well that my computer is lost and there will be no replacement. I don't believe I could work on the Web sites, or post on the World of Cats Forum without Princess here by my side. She always seemed to be 'reading' and making suggestions as I worked.

21 wonderful years I was graced with Princess Ebony's love and presence; right now I don't see how I'll be able to do many of the things we did together ever again without her by my side helping, guarding, and generally getting underfoot. These last two years, since M'Lady and I both retired, our togetherness with the little Cat was almost day-long most every day. I haven't broken down as I did with the two boys (yet,) although I know I will before the week is over. I have lost the best little friend a man could ever have, and it hurts; oh, it hurts so much.

Every pet lover should be owned by at least one pet as friendly and loving as Princess. I know Princess Ebony, as well as Terry Lee, and Jon Tomas, will be waiting for me on the other side of "Rainbow Bridge" when it's finally my turn to go; that makes loosing them a little bit easier. I know 'It's not a loss; only a temporary separation.' And I have 21 wonderful years of memories to help me through till the separation will be no more.

Tell me, have you loved your little friends today? I have, but, for Princess Ebony it was the last time on this earth. I hurt so much thinking about the many times I could have given the little one more of the attention she deserved.

Please, celebrate your pets' lives and love, now, while you still can. Love is too precious to ignore, and they all have plenty of love to share, if you will just take the time to accept and return it.

Roy York, Sr.

May 19, 2004