by Mary
(Rocklin)

My Tummy Tummy

He always smelled of sunshine and warm grass. My husband pulled him out from a pile of black fur and put him on his shoulder. He had such a loud purr for such a small kitten. We loved him instantly. I started calling him Tat but as he grew older, Tummy fit his body style more. Pear shaped, he fit perfectly on my shoulder where he would leave small holes in the back of my shirt from his claws holding on. I loved holding him there, riding against my cheek, purring his song to me.

He loved Christmas. Every year he would climb on the ladder with me to hang ornaments.. I would hang them and he would sit on the top rung, eyes big, purring of course. Then, when all the ornaments were on and the tree lit, he would lay underneath, just looking up through the branches, for hours.

His favorite place was sitting on the fence. He never left the yard. He was happy just surveying his property and keeping the other cats out. He was a terrible fighter. I would find him and my female cat rolling around, locked in battle. She would always win. He loved her but alas, she did not feel the same.

He was my little guy. He was always up for being held, or kissed, or just being petted. He was the most easygoing guy I knew.

We didn't know he was sick. He hid it well. We went out to an early dinner that day, and he was fine. When we came home, he was laying on the floor. I knew something was wrong when he didn't get up. It was a Sunday afternoon and the emergency vet was 20 minutes away. We didn't make it.

He always smelled of sunshine and warm grass. I miss his smell. I miss him so very much. He lives in my heart, for now, until I see him again.