by Susan U.
I looked out the door, hearing the sounds of two very excited boys, my son Jonathan and my brother ( 16 yrs younger than myself ) Kevin. I will be honest and say I wasn't thrilled to look in that BIG television box someone had left in the trash and find a kitten inside meowing at me as if to say "What are these two kids doing to me?". I instantly said NO. I can't have it your Dad will have a cow! They begged me. As soon as I picked what I thought was a female cat up in arms, ( I am not a cat person per say..wasn't a cat person at that time ) I knew I was a goner. I had to have him but still reluctant so I put him in the animal port that I had in storage in the garage. It seemed cruel to me that he should stay in there till my husband came home from work, but at the time I had no choice. That night we had took into our home what we had no idea would turn into 8 years of great friendship. We had never had the experience of owning a cat before so we were very skeptical to this new and very rowdy kitten. We named HER Maggie. A week later went to the vet for the regular check up, shots the whole nine yards to learn that Maggie wasn't a GIRL. We liked the name and we kept it. A BOY NAMED MAGGIE. We didn't care, no one else seemed to mind, what other way to stay UNIQUE? We cut off some of the name later resulting in MAG'S. He came when you called him, and purred when he wanted your love, rubbed you, even sometimes would bite you if you didn't give into his expectations. He started off as an inside cat, declawed in the front and fixed of course. He decided he wanted to venture outdoors. He ate through so many screens I finally decided to give in and let him outside. He kept a schedule we could tell the time of day or night by his habits. He was smart sometimes just like a dog. He came whenever you called him he was a great friend. On December 11th 2001 we found him across the street on side of the road. Someone had hit him with their car. It was the first time I had and have ever experienced the death of an animal. It has been hard and I too think he is laying on the couch or by the fridge and look again and its not him. I miss him. I think it has affected me more than anyone because I was always the one he came to when he needed something. He was my friend, a CAT .. who would of ever thought? Untill you get to experience it...you will never ever know how much they mean to you. He was a warrior while he was here, and I imagine he faught till the end. He had many scars from his battles outdoors with animals, but he loved it and I couldn't take it away from him. I don't regret it. He was happy, and I am sure wherever he is, he is happy. I love you Mag's...I always will.