Scout

(Crossed over the Rainbow Bridge 11/28/2009)

I got "Scout" in January 1999 from a pet shelter in Columbia, S.C. to help me heal from the loss of another cat, "Monkey", who'd been brutally maimed by a dog in our neighborhood. "Monkey" had been quite a 'worldly' cat. He'd been given to me as a six week old kitten when I'd lived a brief time in Lancaster, California and a few months later, I'd brought him across the country with me to live in South Carolina. He was a seasoned traveler and had stayed in hotels from Las Vegas to Myrtle Beach as well as traveled up to my family home in Pennsylvania. He would climb into his carrier, lie on his back and go to sleep and wake up in a new place - excited to see his new surroundings! At any rate a golden retriever who broke away from her owner and attacked poor "Monkey" (named so because he was always climbing). People called the local Animal Control people who fed him a last meal, which he ate heartily, and then put him down. I found out about all of this four days later........all because some very selfish neighbors failed to come to tell me that he'd been attacked. I was totally devastated! I'd lost my best friend and companion of 7 years! ! Had anyone come to tell me, I know that "Monkey" would and could have survived, even if on only three legs - but we didn't get that chance.
When I couldn't stop crying and thinking about him, I went to visit a pet shelter and saw "Scout". I saw him at least three times,and each time, fell more and more in love with him for his size, his beautiful black and white fur, but most of all for his kind and gentle nature. I'd learned that he'd been taken there by his former owner, along with his brother "Buck" in July 1998 as she was moving back to Missouri and could not take them with her. "Buck" was adopted fairly quickly - but "Scout" was there - waiting for me - in January of 1999. I was told that he'd been an 'outside cat' but after what had just happened, I'd decided that my pets had to remain in the house so I only let him out when I could walk with him. He LOVED spending his days lying on a rug beside the sliding glass door of my kitchen which overlooked the deck and back yard. While there, he could watch all the birds, squirrels, chipmunks and other activity going on in the backyard.
"Scout" was initially very shy about my displays of affection. When I would hug him, he would become all excited and sort of wiggle all over, not knowing exactly what he was supposed to do. It was really funny - like a shy, old bachelor! Over time, he became used to my hugs and I earned his love in return. "Scout" was a kind, gentle, and all around wonderful cat and companion. I never had to yell at him for anything. He LOVED cat treats - something he'd become very fond of from his months in the shelter. He did not, however, like dogs and when a dog would come up on our deck in South Carolina, he'd howl and make SUCH noises! ! I'd never heard him get so upset. We always had at least one other cat in the house as well as a cockatiel that were our 'friends' and he was never annoyed by or tried to harm either of them.
My beloved friend who did SO much to heal my heartache .... now the time has come to let him go. He made it to 17 years and I'll truly miss my 'little Scout-boy' and look forward to being with him (and my other babies) again someday. "Scout" died of kidney failure and I blame some medication that a vet gave me for throwing him in to that condition because even though he was getting old, he'd been robust and in very good health until May of this year. He would not leave me - but I could not let him suffer anymore.
I can only hope that his time here with me matched the happiness that he had brought me...... Thank you, my dear "Scout". You were truly a blessing in my life..................

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