We will miss you, little guy. Your life was tragically cut short, and for that we are sorry. I know most people would say that you are “just a cat” and that it’s not detrimental. . . but for those people that have had cats and have made them a part of their family, they will know how much we are going to miss your daily presence in our lives. For those people who have had an adorable, plump, orange bobtail kitty like you, they can understand how hard it will be to realize you are really gone.

You stayed with us through three houses, trips to New Hampshire, a new little baby brother. . . you snuggled with James every night and sat on his lap constantly. You loved him so much. As soon as you saw him sit down on the couch or bed, you ran over and immediately laid down on his lap to snuggle. He loved you so much he even gave you some of his side of the bed (which was already less than half to begin with because I take up a lot of room when I sleep). He never complained that he had to wake up with you almost every morning before the crack of dawn because you were so eager to go outside. It was James who was so tentative to get you from Lollypop Farm in the first place, but then fell so in love with you because you were so loving.

You were so good with Brayden and let him decorate you with stickers and cover you with blankets. He really loved you. Occasionally you kept his bed warm for him while you took a nap there. He finally started calling you by your name about a month ago and every morning as soon as he got out of bed and into the hallway would say, “cat?” or “kitty?” or “sasson?” and would look for you first thing. If you were up on our bed sleeping, he always wanted to climb up there and give you a morning pat. His face still lit up everytime he saw you, like it was the very first time. You made his world a happier place.

Just the other day you let me hold you like a baby because Brayden is now much too big for that and because that’s how I used to hold you when we first got you. I’m glad I was able to have a “moment” with you before today, when I’ll never be able to do it again. Also, the night before your last day with us, when I was supposed to be editing my wedding pictures, you were snuggled up next to me in the guest room and you let me pet your tummy (which although was quite chubby, is the softest fur I’ve ever felt in my life). I loved petting the little part right above your nose. I’m going to miss how you loved curling up in Brayden’s chairs, ever since he was a baby. First it was the bouncy seat, then the little blue papasan chair, and finally it was his elmo chair that you ultimately liked the best. I used to be worried that you might ruin it because you liked to “paw” at it until you were comfortable, but if we could have you back, I’d let you tear that chair to shreds if you wanted to. You also were the most vocal cat I’ve ever known, and you just loved attention so much. If we could have you back, I wouldn’t get annoyed whenever you meowed at inconvenient times. . . and I’d let you rub up against my legs a million times and wouldn’t care how hairy you got my pants. I know since Brayden came along, you weren’t the center of my attention anymore. I was distracted and I didn’t make time to snuggle and play with you like I used to. Now that you won’t be coming back, I really regret that. But I know that James did the best job he could picking up the slack that I left, and I know you understood why my mind was on other things 🙂
You really loved being outside, and although that was how you got killed, you lived a happy year, coming in and out as you pleased. When we were debating whether or not to start letting you out last April, I read in an article how outdoor cats live usually a much shorter life, but it’s a much happier one. I do believe that you were happier when you could come out with us, so I’m not upset that we let you go out. I’m just mad that we had to move away from our quiet street and to this noisy busy place where you died. I loved how you followed us for as long as you could when we went for walks. It was like you were truly a family member.

We will miss you, Samson. All three of us. I’m sad the most, I think, for Brayden, who will be wondering what happened to his kitty and won’t understand why you aren’t here anymore.

I’m sorry that I had to find you the way I did. That’s not how it’s supposed to be. I hope Brayden just thought that you were sleeping. . . I wish I was as naive as that. But unfortunately, I know the reality, and I know you aren’t waking up. You aren’t coming back. You are leaving three very sad people behind. Rest in Peace.