My Children Bill and Miss Kitty

by Jerell
(Oakland, CA.)

2 Cats. Took them from very uncaring and cruel owners. Let me correct that, they chose me, and I took them in. I fed them, protected them, cared for them, even called off worked just to tend to the wounds they have afflicted, and they have accepted me and comforted me for many years.

On Dec. 23 2006, 7pm, I heard a noise outside and when I walked out to see if Bill was ok, I saw him lying on the ground...bloodied and mutilated from a dog. In great shock and anger, I looked for that dog(s) all night...I never found them...lucky them. So began my grief and great loss, bringing his shattered body in the house to give him a proper burial. Words cannot even express the great loss I still have inside.

On Mar. 17 2007, forced to relocate because of my so-called roommates, I could not find a home that would allow pets. Determined to stay until I do, on that same night, I look at her and she looked at me and gave me this weird look of like a "thank you for taking care of me"...it's hard to explain, but that's what it felt like. The day after, she was gone. See, I usually leave my window so she could come and go as she pleases. This time she didn't come back.

For a week I searched the entire city, dog/cat catchers....she just disappeared. At the end of that week, I was forced to leave...I wonder what would've happened if she stayed with me? They were my children, I'm a guy who was at my very best a father to them, willing to sacrifice almost everything for them because of the trust given to me.

Loss, it will never go away, but it will hurt less and less in time. It's like being a soul of great sorrow, a sadness so deep that tears doesn't reach, but yet there's still hope.
I hope so, for my own sake. I miss my babies.
Jerell