BIG BOY
a stray that had lived in the woods behind my house,
Big Boy was a mess.....his fur was matted, he was wary,
had conjunctivitis.....well, he was a sorry sight.........he
would hang out near the house and pick up scraps of
food......one day my good friend, Jo Ann's little infant
niece was visiting with her mother.........the wretched
beast, in a last ditch attempt to win my favor, threw
himself across the lap of the seated child, who proceeded
to stroke his ratty fur........the child squealed with
pleasure as Big Boy purred as loudly as he could........
That was that! he had a home! he cleaned up
and became quite a gentleman cat, drinking from
silver bowls and eating shrimp and lobster........
one day......years later.....he slept by my side, and
got up to visit the litter box..........he had a massive
heart attack and fell, instantly, dead........ I still miss
him........he's buried under the elephant ears by the pond
where he drank and fished........