GOODBYE ZAK

This morning, Emma gave her very last hug to Zakie, my baby.

Zak was my cat; my very first cat. She was 17. She was a very beautiful calico cat.
She completely trusted me. In the early years, she would come and lie on my stomach while I was soaking in the bathtub.

I was right beside her when she gave birth, twice.

Zak was not too fond of children. When my niece and nephew came for a visit, they would have loved to pet her but she would run away and hide..

13 years ago, when Amy was born, some people told me I should get rid of Zak because cats were dangerous for babies. I couldn't do that and was just careful to always close Amy's door while she slept.

Zakie grew fond of Amy very quickly. I would nurse Amy with Zak also on my lap. She loved that quiet time.

Then, 8 years later, came Emma. Emma didn't really pay attention to Zak until about 2 years ago. Even though Zak was old, she was always very patient with Emma. Emma would hug her by the neck and sometimes would lift her up that way. Never did Zak hiss or scratch.
So this morning Emma gave her usual greeting to Zak and Zak kind of fell to her side as if her left leg couldn't support her. I thought maybe Emma had held her a little too strongly and hurt the cat shoulder. Once Emma was in school I brought my cat to the vet and (I knew it was time) found out that she has a neurological trauma. So I said my farewell to my first baby.

So long Zak. We will miss you. Amy is a strong kid; she knows you're better off where you're gone. Emma won't drink milk from your dish again but remember all those truly affectionate hugs and the way she called you Bubble. (Because of our other cat, Trouble, Emma calls all the cats Bubble.) So long Zakie Bubble xox