Smudge King

“So when tomorrow starts without me

Do not think we’re apart

For every time you think of me

Remember I’m right here in your heart.”

- David Romano

November 1st, I said goodbye to my heart & soul and pride & joy at 5:00pm for the last time. Smudge lived for an incredible 16 years. On October 29th, she entered her last stage of kidney failure and needed to be euthanized three days later. The day before I knew she had to be euthanized, I slept with her in my arms on the bedroom floor because I knew in my heart she didn’t have much longer.

She was full of life and love; Friskies Lil’ Soups and PureBites freeze-dried minnows were her favorites, she loved catnip, sitting in front of the heater, sun bathing in her window seat, disrupting my homework for attention, crawling in cardboard boxes and paper/plastic bags, and sleeping under the covers when she was cold. However, she quickly decided early on that my body was more comfortable to sleep on than any bed I ever bought for her. But most importantly, I loved her and she loved me.

Born in 2007, she was rescued from a puddle of oil with her litter of kittens in 2008. She lived her life at a shelter as an office kitty when she grew out of the optimal adoption age over the years. Her chances of find a home were slim to none. On February 11, 2020, she crawled into my lap during an internship I had in high school with A Second Chance Animal Shelter. She continued to do so every day I came in. She was adopted on March 10, 2020 after the staff begged me to take her home because she had never sat in someone’s lap before even though they had known her for 12 years. And she lived four long years in her forever home with me, the home she chose.

I will never regret my decision to adopt an elderly cat, despite having to let her go so soon. These last four years were our happiest. She rescued me more than I rescued her. There was nothing I wouldn’t give up for her. Everything I have done this week has been done in tears, but I did what was best for her to end her suffering. I took her to a beautifully kind and high quality crematorium in Columbia, and she is estimated to be back home tomorrow to spend eternity with me wherever I go. I vow to celebrate her legacy for as long as I live.

She lived a long life, and now it’s time for her to live in our hearts and memories. I plan to have the butterfly birthmark she had in her left ear and the scar she gave me on my right arm tattooed when I am ready.

You did your best and I’m so proud of you. My room and my soul feel so empty without you. We will be together again some day, please wait for me, my precious brave girl 🤍🕊️🐾