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| Coal |
In 1998, the year of the 13 year cicadas, a small black kitten with five white chest hairs introduced himself to me while I was working in the garden. It wasn't long before he moved into the house, into our family and eventually settled in our hearts.
He brought us laughter, companionship, comfort and something to take care of when our son went away to college. Most of his life was spent indoors watching the birds, chipmunks and other garden visitors. I know he dreamed big dreams and remembered his life outdoors. One day last year, he burst through the screen door and caught a chipmunk and carried it back into the house to give to me! Oh, what a mighty hunter; he would have kept the vole and mouse population in check were the outdoors a safe place for a kitty.
He got sick last Fall and early this Spring, when we knew the end was near, we took him back into the garden for daily walkabouts. His energy returned and with it, the young cat we remembered so well. He loved being outside. He explored under all the shrubs, laid in the sunshine and and stalked voles and chipmunks. We were surprised when he caught two unsuspecting voles! He wasn't; he knew he was the mightiest hunter ever at Clay and Limestone. We praised him for his prowess. He blinked I love you back at us.
Earlier this month, in this year of the 13 yr cicadas, we said goodbye. There was no doubt on our parts, that Coal's heart was filled with love and good cat memories.
This summer, when I hear the cicadas chirping, I will remember our sweet black cat with the five white chest hairs and those well earned three white whiskers, who settled in my heart and I will smile.
xxoogail
The smallest feline is a masterpiece. - Leonardo da Vinci
This post was written by Gail Eichelberger for my blog Clay and Limestone Copyright 2011.This work protected under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Please contact me for permission to copy, reproduce, scrape, etc.
