The best cat in the world went to sleep quietly this morning, and he took my heart with him.
In early January 1994, I had just lost Keke, a sweet tabby who was my best friend for 13 years. She was my only cat at the time, and the house was so empty it echoed. So I went to a Denver shelter, thinking that a kitten or two might help ease the pain.
The shelter had several kittens playing in a small, glassed-in area. Right away I noticed a gorgeous brown classic tabby. But another kitten noticed me. I looked down, and right across the glass at my feet was a little gray and white fellow, dancing around to get my attention. He was a ball of fluff with whiskers that drooped almost into a circle.
Of course he came home with me, and the name "Kacey" seemed to fit. The brown tabby--Kiri--came with me too, and the two remained cuddle buddies for 15 years.
Kacey loved everyone. If two people were sitting on the sofa, he'd sit in between so that both could pet him. And he loved to supervise anyone who came in to work around the house--the cable guy, the plumber, the landlord. He'd sit nearby and watch very closely.
He always kept a close eye on me, too. At one point, nicknamed him "Visa," because he was everywhere you want to be. He always slept next to (or on) my pillow.
Until recently, his morning ritual was to run laps through the house. When he was younger, if I happened to intercept him in mid-circuit, he'd skid to a halt, dance sideways, and take off in the opposite direction.
He hated my singing. If I sang, he'd yowl and paw at my arm. And any time I was talking on the phone, he would climb into my lap and roll around, looking for pets and belly rubs.
He had a thing about telephones. He managed to call a friend of mine at around 5 a.m. one morning by stepping on the speed dial. He hit the speaker button, too, so I awoke to a sleepy disembodied voice saying, "Hello? Hello?"
The best cat in the world. He comforted me through some very rough times. It was impossibly hard to let him go.
Kacey, sweetie, if there's a speed dial from the Rainbow Bridge, please call me and let me know you're OK. Give my love to Keke--she's been there for quite awhile now. Katie and Cricket will be happy to see you--tell them how much I miss them. And look for Jen's Rutherford. He looks a lot like you, and I think you'll be good buddies.
Farewell, darling sweet Kacey. I'll miss you every day, as long as I live.
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What a beautiful tribute to a very special baby. Looks like Kacey made a good pick in life at the shelter that day. 
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