Remembering Reggie

We lost our dear cat-friend Reggie almost three years ago. Today is his birthday and is a fitting time to remember all the fun times we shared together.

If you didn't know Reggie, his story is below...

We adopted Reggie on July 14, 2002 after losing our cat Scrumpy (be sure to read about him, too!).  Reggie came from Second Chance for Animal Welfare, a local shelter, where he was placed after an unhappy situation with his old family.

Reggie came to us a nervous boy who was more likely to bite or scratch (and he did) than to cuddle with us.  We attempted to keep him in the house for a few days so he could get him acclimated to us before going outdoors.  He, however, had other plans.  We had him locked up in our second floor and first floor foyer when he enacted the plan.  It was simple, really.  All he had to know was how the first floor screen window was attached, where the hook was, and how to unhook it.  Genius-boy did the deed, then hid outside in fear of his life change.

Fortunately, he adjusted.  He tried to find ways to get in the house with us rather than ways to escape.  He was a fabulous hunter that kept our yard clear of any "unwanted" guests.  He has went from being nearly impossible to pet, to allowing us to hold him on his back like a baby.  He was still a bit moody from time to time, but we all are.

Most importantly, Reggie was an integral part of our family. He spent winters with us in front of the pellet stove. Summers with us in the yard. He was a bright spot with a complex personality that added a smile to each day. Reggie was diagnosed with a mass in his abdomen and liver failure on September 5, 2006. We stroked and talked to him as he crossed the Rainbow Bridge that night. Surely, he will look down on us and purr and meow until we join him.

Some photos of Reggie are embedded below. There are so many other memories are not there, but remain in our mind... Reggie walking up and down the driveway with Pat and Mike to get our mail... Reggie laying by infants Connor and Fiona getting petted and being a pure angel... Him cuddling with me during afternoon naps...

Sometimes you don't know how strongly you've loved a pet until you lose them. Let us all appreciate our pets -- and our people -- while we can.