Regan April 22, 1989-August 1, 2007

A month ago yesterday, my cat Regan died--he was 18 years old, and I'd had him since I graduated from high school. He was the coolest cat--he was a big black and white tomcat with the most gorgeous yellow eyes that I think anyone's ever seen, and I don't think Regan ever realized he was a cat--I think he thought of himself as a furry, four-legged human! Once when he was a kitten, I taught him how to give a "high five"--more by accident than anything--but ever since then, whenever I'd say "Regan, give me five", he'd reach up with his paw and touch my hand--and occasionally, he'd give me ten! He was born under the sign of Taurus (on Earth Day to boot!), and he was as loving as I'd ever known any cat to be--when my dog Cinnamon died 5 years ago, he came over to where I was sitting at my computer desk, put his front paws on my leg and reached up toward me with one paw, as if to ask "What's wrong, Mom?" He would also sit on my lap or drape himself around my shoulders and purr in my ear--the best sound in the world! Regan was also very talkative--it seemed like he always had something to say! He was always in good health, until about the last year of his life--the only time I recall taking him to the vet for anything significant was when I had him declawed (which I regretted having had done when I found out how it was done) and neutered! When Regan was 17, I noticed a lump on his neck that didn't seem to bother him, but it bothered me--so I knew it had to be something serious--anyway, it turned out to be cancer--and I figured that the best thing to do was just to make him comfortable, although he never was in any pain, which seemed odd to me! I took the day off work so I could stay with him--and my parents came over to sit with me too! I'm sure gonna miss that cat!

 

Sounds like a wonderful companion you had there. I'm sure you miss him everyday.

In Memory of Regan!

RainbowBridge Website

 

What a terrific tribute to Regan. He had a nice long life, you did good. I hope you give yourself permission to grieve for him. And in time, perhaps you can find room in your heart to care for another animal, there are so many that need loving homes.

 

Thanks, guys--yeah, I do miss Regan every day--and I still grieve for him, even though it's not so much the burst-into-tears type of grief these days! The day after he died, I had my parents take him to a funeral home here that does pet cremation--I felt like it was the right thing to do! I do plan on having more cats, though--maybe adopt a kitten or two from the local animal shelter!