by Patricia Quirk
My cat Sierra had had a litter before. We gave them all to good homes.Then she had another litter and Chloe was born. She was deep,deep,brown with white. She had magnificent yellow eyes and a cute pink button nose. She was supposed to be my sister's cat, but my sister moved out. As Chloe got older, I formed a very tight bond with her. She would ALWAYS want to sit in my lap. She also liked it when I held her over my shoulder and rocked her like a baby. She would purr like mad. I would tell her everything. She was my protector, my buddy, and so much more. She knew when I needed her and she would never fail to be there for me. We had her, her mother Sierra, Angel, our dog and then Angel had to be put down so it was just she and Sierra. We got a kity named Simba. He and Sierra fought all the time. Chloe would literally get in the middle of them and lick each of them on the head and be a mediator. She made sure they got along.I will never forget that about her.A few months later, I had spent the night at a friend's house one day. I got home and my mom opened the door looking very upset. I was worried and I asked her what was wrong. She said she would tell me when my sister got home. She made us sit down and told us Chloe was dead. I could not believe my ears. How could my sweet, loving, lovable girl be gone? It was not fair that she was taken so early. (She was only 6) I went down to the basement where she was. It looked like she was sleeping. I was in shock and denial, so I just HAD to touch her and make sure. She was so ice cold. I broke down and cried. My mother ended up calling my dad. We put Chloe in a box with one of her favorite "blankies". (An old lace curtain)and my Dad took her for burial. I could not bring myself to go with him. I still miss her everyday, but it gets a little easier as time goes on. I do know that I will never forget her.