How I met the bunny

I promised I would tell you all some stories about Buster Bunny and I, so since I have a few moments, let me tell you the story of how this special kitty entered my life.

Three years ago, another beloved pet of mine passed away. Mama kitty was a jet black, beautiful cat who had been abused in another home before she found her way into ours, She gave birth to a litter of kittens a few days after we took her in, and we found homes for most of them, except one, Patches who still lives with us. In any event, when Mama died, it was sudden and difficult, and I swore at that time I would not bring in ANY more cats. None. Zero.

So I was visiting my parents that summer when I heard a now familiar 'mewing' noise. One of the strays from down the street had kittens under their porch and I did everything I could to avoid seeing or hearing them. Infortunately, one special kitten had other plans.

The instant he heard my voice, his mewing increased, and eyes shut he dragged himself to my feet, climbed one toe and lay there purring. It was the craziest thing I'd ever seen, and it must have been a fluke. Right?

I visited my parents weekly, and every week, the instant I said "Hey guys, I'm here!" A shrill mew, followed by a kitten stampede would result in this one tiny orange kitty with white feet perched on my foot sound asleep. I told myself that it didn't matter, and I tried to steel myself because stray kitties don't live very long - and I wasn't taking in ANY more cats. Right?

In week six, when I visited, he came right away... but something seemed wrong. His eyes were oozing yellow goo and I knew this was the beginning of the end. I held him in my arms for the first time and as his body purred to sleep I tried to convince myself that I didn't care. That night in bed, wracked with guilt, I realized I did care. A lot. And so the next morning, armed with a cat carrier, a towel and what little cash I had left, I drove back and got the little guy. I took him straight to Dr. Hendrickson who I consider a miracle worker (though the story of how he saved Nyoka's life is for another time) and he got Bunny dosed up, cleaned up, and within 48 hours he was home with me, where he has remained. And I'm still pretty much the center of his universe - oh sure, during the 'teenage' years I embarrassed him, but as a grown cat he and I are inseparable. He comes downstairs with me 'to work' every morning, and he has his own office chair that sits right next to mine so that he can comment on my work (he's critical, but I think it's constructive criticism) and until this sudden turn for the worse, I thought he'd live for 15 or so years as my little yellow guy.

It's funny how we take things (and people, and pets) for granted. I won't do that again with him, he's one of the greatest blessings I've ever known.