I had to say goodbye to my cat Buster today.
We adopted Buster from a rescue organization when she was less than 10 weeks old. We learned that Buster’s mother was seen running across a street and getting hit by a car. The person who witnessed this saw something fall out of the cat’s mouth. That something was Buster.
Buster was then hand raised and bottle fed by a kind human until we met her at the adoption site.
I was reluctant to adopt Buster. I said that since she hadn’t been raised by a cat, she wouldn’t know how to be a cat.
We had already decided to adopt another kitten and I didn’t want two. But the animal rescuer persisted telling us how sweet Buster was and my wife said
“… we should get two kittens so they can keep each other company.”
So we did.
At first it seemed that I was right.
Lilly, who was raised by cats, was confident. She was an explorer. She was unafraid. She had already mastered grooming herself and commandeered a spot on our bed as her own.
Buster on the other hand was my dirty cat. She hadn’t quite learned to groom herself so she’d often show up with dust on her whiskers and dirt on her paws. She was a scaredy cat who would run when the dog barked. She also would sometimes fall down if she focused too hard on something.
Clearly I felt I was correct in my initial assessment. My wife Ellen said, “No you asshole, there’s nothing wrong with Buster. She’s just younger than Lilly and will eventually catch up.”
But as with most things, Ellen was right.
Buster grew up and she was fine. In fact, she grew into the most mushy, loving cat I’ve ever met.
- Buster loves to be petted when she eats.
- She stands up on her hind legs to get me to pick her up and rock her in my arms like a baby.
- She wants to lay in my lap for at least two sessions every day.
- When we come in the front door, she runs to greet us like a dog.
- At night, when we sat down on the sofa she’d jump up to lay next to us.
- If I walked into the room and called her name, she’d come running over and get so excited that her entire body would vibrate.
- In the morning she was so excited to see us, she’d race into the kitchen, jump onto a chair and launch herself onto the counter so she was at perfect “pet me” height.
- Buster was a little lover.
She did just fine with being a cat too. Eventually she learned to groom herself, although she still occasionally comes out from a hiding spot covered in dust.
Going on the road meant I had to find a new home for Buster.
I can’t take her with me.
Out of all of my friends, acquaintances and colleagues, you know who stepped up and offered her a home? My son Zack.
Even though he’s allergic to cats, he said, “I’ll deal with it.” He said, “I never met a cat as sweet as Buster.”
He felt bad he was taking her from me, but I insisted he was helping me out and helping her out even more.
I also insisted he take her early for a 1 week trial run. That way, if he can’t handle it because of his allergies, I’ll still have a few more weeks to find her a home.
Zack took her today.
It was heart wrenching to give up Buster. But I am relieved beyond belief that she will be with Zack. They will love each other to pieces. I couldn’t have asked for a better home for her.
I spent this entire week saying goodbye to Buster in the best way I know how. I pet her while she ate. I cradled her in my arms while singing lullabies. I held her in my lap while telling her how much I loved her. I played cookie hockey with her.
And then tonight, after giving Zack and his girlfriend several hours of “background”, I put her in his car and sent them on their way.
I didn’t even start crying until I typed this post.
Goodbye my sweet girl. I will never forget you.
Update four days later…
Zack and Buster have fallen for each other.
Buster follows Zack’s girlfriend around the apartment meowing to get her to play “cookie hockey”.
Buster jumps up on the table to interrupt Zack when he’s working too long on his laptop. If Zack happens to get up from his chair, she sneaks onto the warm spot before he returns and refuses to budge.
Since Zack’s a night owl. Buster now has a playmate who stays up well past midnight with her. Zack says they play so hard with Buster, that she gets wiped out and puts herself to bed.
His allergies are under control with a little help from Claritin.
I couldn’t have asked for a better home for Buster.