by Daniel Prind
Cleo, you have been a central part of my life these past 20 years .. but it was time to say good-bye, as I now know. When my fiance died, you were there for me. When my mother died .. you were still there, cuddling next to me, both of us crying. And when my father didn't return home one day and I answered the door to meet the policeman, you were there, as always, ready to share those wrenching, surreal moments. You found me back in 1982 .. just a little black kitty with no where to go. Abandoned I suppose. But we sure had a good life together, you and me. I still hear you at times .. and I still look for you before I remember you're not here. I find myself watching other cats in the neighborhood just so I won't forget your ways and habits. I miss you terribly ... and lest anyone think otherwise, I won't just "get over it" -- but I will adjust to your not being here.
And I will never .. never .. forget you, my friend.