Ebony, My Little Sweetie Pie

by Brenda Wilson
(Colorado Springs, Colorado)

The following is the story of my life with my beloved feline friend Ebony. We spent 18 wonderful years together before his passing almost two years ago. I wrote the following as a tribute to him and the special relationship that we had.

Ebony, My Little Sweetie Pie

You stole my heart the very first time I laid eyes on you. Neither of us knew it at the time, but ours was to be a long and loving relationship. I remember how you looked at me with those big gold eyes the first time we met. I knew we would be together forever. You snuggled into the crook of my neck when I picked you up and you purred so loud. I was instantly in love with you.

I took you home and made you a soft, warm bed and I prepared your first meal. You were so tiny and frail that I had to feed you with a dropper. You ate until your little tummy was full and then you fell asleep in my arms purring loudly. "We will always be together", I promised. And we have been.

You grew to be strong and beautiful. Your coat is like that of black satin and your belly is pure white delight. You have white paws and a patch of white that goes right up the middle of your face, as if you have gotten too close and someone swiped you with a paintbrush. We've traveled back and forth across the United States together. Traveling hasn't ever been your favorite thing, but you love the adventure of a new place that needs to be explored. Many a bird and mouse are on the lookout for you as you trudge through where ever it is that we happen to be at the time.

You've been an outdoor cat who wants to be indoors when the weather was foul. I used to have the habit of leaving the window cracked open so you could come and go as you pleased. One day you jumped in through the window and you had a bird in your mouth. "Oh Ebony", I said, "you can't have a birdie in the house". You stopped right away, still holding the little bird in your mouth. You turned and looked at me. "Honey, you can't have a birdie in the house". I explained again. "Let mommy have the bird honey". You gently placed the bird on the floor. That poor little bird was so scared. He lie there on his back with his eyes closed and his little feet all tucked into his chest. His heart was beating so fast. I didn't see any blood. I grabbed a towel and gently picked him up. I could hardly believe you were allowing me to do this. You sat there so nicely as I retrieved the bird with the towel. I didn't know what to do with it. There didn't seem to be any injury so I decided to take it outside and see if it was alright and could fly. You followed me to the back of the house and you howled the whole way as if you were suddenly sad to have lost your catch. I set the bird high on a fence post. I figured if he were fine he would just fly away, and if he wasn't, well, I didn't know what I'd do. I set him down and he just lay there and for a moment I was afraid he was hurt. Then suddenly, as if he realized he should hurry and be on his way, he righted himself and opened his wings and off he flew. I looked down at you and patted you on the head and told you what a good boy you were.

We settled in a home one time that had many squirrels in the yard. You would sit on the porch and watch them intently. I wanted them to come up so I could feed them. We looked at each other and then out at the squirrels playing. I explained to you that the squirrels were our little friends and you could not hurt them. You looked at me and then at the squirrels again. Periodically I would place food on the porch for the squirrels and they would come up and help themselves. You would sit inside the house by the large patio door and watch them as they came up. I would remind you that they were our little friends and that you had to be nice to them. You just looked at me. I never really knew if you understood what I was telling you until one day when I came home from work and both you and the squirrels were on the porch together. They were eating whatever it was I had happened to put out for them that day and you were lying there watching them. I gasped in dismay. You looked at me and then at the squirrels again. I gently reminded you that the squirrels were our little friends and that you mustn't hurt them. I was so proud of you that day. You let the squirrels come and eat and you just lay there watching. From that day forward you never bothered them, no matter where we lived.

Over the years you've had your share of catfights. When you were younger you were good and usually won, walking away the victor. You defended your territory fiercely. As you get older though, you don't fare so well in your defense, and I've had to take to keeping you in the house most of the time. You don't protest too badly. I let you out at 5am before anyone else is up. Most of the time you come in promptly, ready for breakfast. Once in a while you stay gone all day in rebellion of the new house rule and I worry until you show up at the front door again wanting to be fed. And I'm always joyful to see your cute little face again.

One of your favorite places is curled up on the back of whatever chair I happen to be sitting in. This is fine mostly, but you find it difficult to get into just the right position if I happen to be in the kitchen chair. You'll get on my lap and then climb up onto my shoulder and try to lie down on the back of the chair. It rarely ever works, but that doesn't keep you from trying again the next time. Another of your favorite places is curled up at the head of the bed with me. You lie there as if you are carefully watching over all. You?ll jump up on the bed in the middle of the night and wake me demanding attention. Most of the time you get it. I'll pull you close and nestle my face into your fur and stroke your back and tell you how much I love you. It seems to be just what you want. Me too. You purr softly and before long we drift off to sleep together with my arm wrapped around you.

You've been a wonderful companion, my one true constant for eighteen years. And they have been wonderful years together. I've kept you well and safe all that time and even refused a proposal along the way from a guy who was allergic. Humph, imagine me giving you up for some guy with allergies.

I will miss you dearly now that you're gone and my heart and soul will never be the same. You have been my best friend and soul mate. There will never be another who will compare with you. Journey home peacefully my little sweetie pie and know that we will be together forever.