The Death of Hiro.

July 13, 2007.

A good little kitty, becoming our little kitty. Solid black. Affectionate. Energetic. When we'd sit down outside, he'd lay down nearby and fall asleep within minutes spread eagle—on his back. Not a care in the world. At peace on our deck.

He didn't look while crossing the street. Too scared by the other cat fighting with him at the school. Too scared by the German Shepherd that trotted over to have a snack. Too scared to look.

It wasn't their fault. They slowed and swerved. He almost made it but not quite.

Before I could make it to the street, running full speed as I was, he was already laying still. Still twitching. I scooped him into my arms and walked quickly to the car, yelling for my sweetie to grab the keys.

We drove as fast as was safe. Tears. The vet, thankfully, only a couple minutes away.

Elapsed time: less than 3 minutes. The vet quickly comes in with a couple techs. We weren't even sure if he'd even made it…

We paid him the two greatest honors we still could. We asked for the cremation package where the ashes are scattered over an olive orchard nearby and we gave him a name.

I'm grateful I had the opportunity to know him most of his short-ish life (about two-and-a-half years so we figure). I'm grateful he was a part of our lives.

I'm grateful he had us. We watered him, and gave him shelter, and next week we were about to start feeding him so he would not longer (hopefully) want to run across the street to the bowl set out for him by the kind folks there. (And yes, the guilt of delay, while irrational, is nearly overwhelming.)

He was becoming our kitty. He almost was. But today, he became our little black kitty forever.

I'm honored to have known such a special and noble creature. I'm honored he would choose to spend so much of his life near me. I'm honored to have been able to care for him as I did. I'm honored that I was able to hold him in my arms one time. I'm honored that I was able to be there for him in the end. I'm honored to have been able to call him by name at last, if but for a few days and then one last time.

Goodby my friend Hiro. We know that you are snoozing even now upon your back, legs spread open, absorbing the everlasting sunlight on the deck of eternal comfort. Josh and Spencer would like a new friend. You'll like them, and one day we'll all lay together in the sun.

I love you and miss you.