Ten years ago when I chose my first Kitten, Owen, I was on a shopping trip at the mall in Peterborough, I saw a little kitten, fell in love and bought it.  Not planned, no idea what I was getting into.  At 21 and in my first apartment it really seemed like a good idea. 

My Owen had so much spunk, he just wanted to play, day and night.  He would bite my toe’s, I could never sleep.    So my friends suggested getting him his own kitten.  After not much thought and limited funds, I went to the Peterborough Humane Society to just check things out and see, I had no intention to get another kitten. 

But then this little grey paw darted out of a cage and grabbed my sweater, it wouldn’t let go.  I found the owner of the paw to be a little 3 month old grey kitten that was really cute but so scrawny.  After detaching his claws from my sweater I opened up the cage and picked the little guy up, he immediately reattached himself to me.  He would not let me look at another cat or put him down.  He picked me I was his Mommy, what choice did I have but to adopt him? 

There were many surprises when got him home, first was the immediate connection between my new addition and Owen, they were best friends and off playing within minutes of meeting.  Then there was his need for food, he would meow at his bowl, if he could see the bottom, for more food.  Basically saying MORE!!! Because of this, I named him Oliver, for Oliver Twist. Little Oliver was so smart, he knew his name within a day, and would come running when called.  He would jump up on your lap or any surface you patted.  The best surprise was that his attachment to me didn’t end when I brought him home, he always wanted to be near me, and touching me.  If he couldn’t be in my lap, he would sit beside me touching my leg.  His favourite sleeping spot for his whole life was the crook of my neck.  If Oliver couldn’t be with me, he wanted to be with his brother Owen, they would squish themselves into a tiny cat bed, even though they both had their own.  

We were a very happy threesome, but there were some scary moments.  Oliver had a way of getting to the strangest places, he would always try to get up so high, well until the big fall.  Oliver was sleeping on the ledge above my stairs, he was hanging half off all comfortable, he twitched in his sleep, upset his balance and fell the 12 feet to the ground.  The whole incident seemed to happen in slow motion, I screamed, he landed on his feet and just ran away.  I was shaking for a good hour, and Olie hid for hours.  He never when up that high again. 

Another fright was when the little monkey got out of the house.  It was Halloween, and Oliver was 3, he got outside, and I didn’t notice.  I went down into the basement to read a book, when I looked up and there was a cat in my window, I actually said, “that cat looks just like Oliver,” Duh – it was Oliver tapping on the window to be let in.  Such a smart little guy.  My mind was racing with all the what-if’s for days.

Oliver was so friendly and made all visitors to our home feel so welcome. he was so out going and loving, he made so many people fall in love with him.  Especially me. 

My favourite Oliver behaviour occurred every morning.  He would wait until he saw my eyes open and then begin nudging me with his cold we nose.  He wanted to be stroked, or let under the covers, or for me to get up and follow him to his half full food bowl to add more kibble. 

This November Olie started sneezing and not cuddling each morning.  His “cold” got progressively worse.  He had two rounds of antibiotics, but my poor little guy was not getting any better.  One day while wiping his nose he scratched his eye, causing it to swell up to the size of a golf ball.  This caused him so much pain, even with medicine to treat his eye, it wouldn’t heal.  Through all the treatment, eye drops 8 times a day, and pills, he was so happy, loving and still wanted to play. 

He was so unwell, I brought him to Windsor to be seen by our families long time vet, Dr. Fetherston.  As sick and weak as he was, little Oliver still greeted his Doctor, and was such a friendly boy.  His blood was tested, and he was found to be in kidney and liver failure.  Nothing could be done.  Oliver was going to die, it was just a matter of when.  I made the horrible decision to euthanize  him.  Olie was in so much pain, he wasn’t eating, and he hadn’t purred for over a week. Dr. Fetherston was so kind to us.  My wonderful little Oliver died in my arms on December 30, 2008.

I am so thankful that I was given nine wonderful years with Oliver.  Owen and I miss him so much, but I know that his wonderful spirit will always be with us.  A soul that beautiful just doesn’t disappear.