I lost my cat of over 10 years recently. I was about 20 years old and I received a full grown female cat 12 years ago from a co-worker. I was reluctant because I wanted a kitten. But I took her anyway as my Dad passed away the year before and I wanted the company. We just didn't click but about 5 months after I got her she gave birth to 4 kittens on June 25th, 1994. 3 were mostly black with white accents. But the first one I watched being born was white with orange, gray, black and brown blotches on her head and back. And I whispered, that one is mine! I named her Bijou and she made an instant impact on the rest of my family.
When the kittens were old enough, the mother ran off and never returned. I eventually gave the other kittens away but kept my Bijou. We grew together and learned from each other. Skipping the years, June 25th, 2006, 11:30 p.m., my apartment building was struck by lightening and the wooden porch area went up in flames and spread to the rear apartments, including mine! Luckily, my mom and I were still up watching a Chicago White Sox game that ran late. I was about to retire but before I knew it my mom was screaming that the back porch was on fire. I was frantic! I knew we had to get out of the building because the fire was spreading fast, and I began shouting "Bijou!" But I could not find her. Finally, I very reluctantly left her behind. She died. It was her birthday! I never had the courage to go back to the building to retrieve her body.
I sank into a deep depression. I couldn't eat, sleep, or even laugh. I felt an overwhelming sense of guilt. I'm grateful that my mother, myself and all my neighbors escaped unharmed, thank God, but how could I have left my baby behind? I kept saying how I wished for just one last time to hold her. Then about 2 months ago, she came to me in my dream. It was like old times again. I was laughing and holding her big fat body up and talking sweet talk to her and as usual she was protesting! But when I awoke, I wasn't sure of what I just dreamt.
Two weeks later, she came again. But it looked like I was having an out of body experience because I was hovering above my body, right by the ceiling. I could see myself sleeping! I saw my body lying on one side facing the wall with my knees bent. And behind my knees was Bijou again. She was curled up in a ball and almost glowing. I woke up again a little confused and a little happier. There were a couple more dreams but those didn't stick out like the verbal communication we had.
I was in the sleeping state just before I woke up, when I heard her voice. She had this distinctive purring-meowing noise she would make when she would jump onto or down off of something. And I heard the sound she would make jumping off of something. It sounded like she was jumping off of my bed! I was so happy but at the same time I felt like that was going to be the last time I heard or seen her for whatever reason. I feel she was saying she had to go. It was as if she was saying to me, "Its alright. I'm fine. I'm happy where I'm at. Just get over it. No hard feelings..."
I doubt I will ever get another cat again. She was the cat that ended all cats for me. I'll never forget her. I love you, "Boo"!
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