We lost our lovable, wonderful Harry two years ago today. TWO YEARS. I can’t believe it…
It’s strange because it doesn’t feel like two years. It seems like it was just yesterday when Harry came into our lives and immediately made himself at home; he just fit into our little family so perfectly from the beginning — almost as if he was a missing puzzle piece that completed our puzzle after my father’s death. My mother always says that our little orange tabby needed us and we needed him and that’s so true. We were, indeed, the perfect match for each other.
In fact, I was thinking just this afternoon about the impact little Harry had on my life and you know what? He’s the cat that turned me into a Cat Lady — capitalized, of course, because that distinction is a proper title, after all, isn’t it? I’m actually surprised that I didn’t come to this realization sooner. Before Harry waltzed into our lives (and, yes, he did have a sort of jaunty waltz to his step!), I wasn’t much of an animal person at all. I guess I was a dog person if I had to choose, but I was most certainly NOT a cat person. Cats didn’t have personality, I thought. If you’d seen one cat, you’d see them all, right? They’re aloof and unfriendly and, well, sort of boring. Yes, I know now just how prejudice that type of thinking is! Cats, it turned out, were FULL of spunk and pizzazz and I have Harry to thank for helping me see the glorious light of what happens when you welcome a cat into your life and, maybe more importantly, into your heart.
I mean, not to sound too cheesy, but so many wondrous and enchanting things happened in our lives because of Harry and I hope he knows just how much he meant to all who knew him. He was the most charming, but also wasn’t afraid to give some side-eye at your shenanigans! He’ll always hold a very special place in our hearts and we’ll miss him forever. As we always said, “He was a good boy.” Yes, indeed. He was the very, very best boy.
Do you have any pets, friends? What’s your favorite story of life with your beloved animal friend?? Pets truly are life-changing and I’d love to hear all your stories in the comments… xoxo
P.S. My essay for Redbook from 2016…all about Harry’s awesomeness!