SPOOKY

by Jan Kennedy
(Moore, S.C. )

Spooky passed away on June 23, 2010 at the age of 17 years. She "found me" at about 5 weeks of age, as I was looking at a house under construction in my neighborhood. Following a faint tiny "meow", Spooky soon emerged from within a partial wall and walked right into my heart.

She had problems beginning at only 4 months old, having a kidney removed. Vets speculated that kidney had been injured while in that house causing it to swell, press on spinal cord, rendering her paralyzed from mid-body back.

Following the surgery she was a recovered happy camper for many many years. In later life, she developed kidney disease and thyroid problems for which she took daily meds. She could tell time within 5/10 minutes, coming into the kitchen and staring at me when it was med time.

Spooky, long hair, tortoise shell in color, was a real BEAUTY ! She was definitely a "one-person-kitty", living with only me, her single "mom", for the first 7 years of her life. During that time, she 'interviewed' any male acquaintance/suitor who came into my life and liked NONE of them------ until Pat, in 1999.

Spooky immediately took a liking to him as if she had waited on him all her life ! Pat and I were married on 7/7/00. SO, you can see why I attribute our marriage at least partially to Spooky ! She dearly loved Pat, following him into the bedroom when he got home from work to 'help' him change clothes and wait for him to play "belt snake" with her. At night she frequently hung out with him on the foot of his lounge chair.

Following a mini-stroke in September 2009, I was told that Spooky might live 2 more weeks. The cremation and service was all planned. She fooled everyone and I was given the gift of having her with me for 9 more months.

When she began showing signs of confusion and dementia, she also had a beautiful (and intelligent) way of compensating. Rather than go into her bed from the front, facing away from us, she would walk entirely around the TV cabinet, come up the side between the cabinet and fireplace hearth to enter the bed from behind---- to be facing outward, toward us. She performed this routine time and time again and seemed very pleased with herself for her accomplishment!

Spooky was truly my best friend, keeper of all my secrets and healer of my sometimes troubled soul. Her ashes are still with us, very near to where she spent most of her last days in her bed. We think Spooky always liked humor and a 'good joke'. When Pat and I are into some sort of silly disagreement and fussing with each other, S.O.S. (Spirit of Spooky) will sent us a message saying "Don't make me have to come out of this box !"

Spooky was kind and sharing

Poem for Spooky