Not Just A Cat

Not Just A Cat

From the moment I saw you,
Those deep amber eyes,
You were destined to be in my life.
No, fate could not deny…
I knew you’d be mine.

From the moment I saw you,
You stole my heart.
My sweet little ragamuffin,
Tiger stripes, work of art…
Our lives would align.

He’s not just a cat,
Not just a cat…
He is my soulmate.
He’s not just a cat,
Not just a cat…
He is my whole world.

From the moment I held you,
Your purr calmed my soul.
Forever burned into my memory,
Our language of love…
Life’s like a movie.

Those last moments I held you,
The grief fell like rain.
I could feel your spirit leaving,
Out of sight, out of pain…
And now my soul weeps.

He wasn’t just a cat,
Not just a cat…
He was my soulmate.
He wasn’t just a cat,
Not just a cat…
He was my whole world.

Colleen Keller Breuning © 2024
January 12, 2024

Hello, family and friends! If you know me, you already know this. This is quite obviously dedicated to my soulmate Tommy Breuning, the best cat ever…. He was my faithful feline companion, my best friend, my soulmate. He crossed the rainbow bridge on September 12, 2020 as I held him in my arms. I still think of him every single day, and I will never, ever forget him.

Did you ever have fleeting moments that just hit you out of the blue and cause a rush of sadness? One night this week after a long day at work, I was getting my evening shower and I turned on a relaxing classical music playlist on my iPad, my usual routine. Tommy’s picture is on my screensaver, and it brings a smile every time. But that night it flashed up and caused an avalanche of memories. It was like a sucker punch to the gut, and I just wept and wept for this beautiful cat who was quite literally my sentinel and now my guardian angel.

I’ll never forget the first time I spotted him in the Broward County Humane shelter, trying to cover up his poop with a shred of newspaper. This was in September 2005, barely a month after Hurricane Katrina hit and brought a flood of homeless pets into the area shelters. We’d looked at several of the cats, but some were skittish, and we just didn’t connect. That’s when I spotted “Titus” at the very back of the cat shelter area, and we asked to see him.

When they brought him into the little meeting room, he was purring nonstop, nestling on our necks. We instantly fell in love with him. There was no question, we decided to put in a bid for him. The shelter lobby area was overflowing, so we took a number and waited for what seemed like hours. Many times families left in tears when they tried to adopt a dog or cat, then discovered that the pet had just been claimed moments before… The elderly man waiting next to us discovered his pet was claimed before his number was called. He turned to me and pressed his ticket into my hand, and whispered “Here, you take my number. I hope you get your pet.” It felt strange and a bit like cheating, but seeing the look in Katie’s eyes, I accepted it with thanks. My heart was pounding when our number was called. Fortunately, Titus was still available! He was OURS! When we brought him home the next day, we decided to name him Tommy, after my departed father. He had the same beautiful eyes as Dad.

I’ve shared Tommy with the world since I joined Myspace and Facebook back in 2007. He occasionally took control of my computer and wrote “A Tommy Blog” that told of the Tommy and Jordan cat shenanigans, featured snippets of everyday life and funny pictures. I really do believe that those were my most popular blogs! I could really feel the love for Tommy over the internet. He was so popular that he had his own Facebook profile (still does). He was a beautiful, loving cat who purred loudly and spoke to me literally nonstop! We really did have a love language, little conversations with his soulful meows. He always waited for me to come home after work, and was my guardian who sat outside my shower every morning and evening. He was one smart cookie, quite mischievous, with a huge purr-sonality and a loving heart. He was with me during some difficult times, sensing if I was sad and always watching over me. I believe he still is…. right by my Dad’s side, in fact!

My sweet Princess Posie Mae turns FOUR years old tomorrow, and I’m sad that I can’t be there for her princess party today. I will FaceTime her afterwards and will be sending her a birthday gift a little late this year. I can’t believe how time is flying, and my darling grandbabies aren’t babies anymore. Naturally, I wish I could see them more often, but I have had to learn to cope with the sadness that comes with that. This year I am trying to seek joy in any way that I can, even in the little things. And to be kind, to others and to myself. I try to have a word for the year to abide by, sort of as a daily mantra to focus on. Last year was “calm,” and because I could not make a decision– I will have two words to focus on this year – JOY and KIND. I hope you all have a lovely weekend, full of joy and kindness!

Xoxo
Colleen

Ecrits Blogophilia Week 28.15 – One Smart Cookie
Hard Bonus: Include a quote, line or lyric from one of the muppets (“Life is like a movie.” – Kermit)
Easy Bonus: Mention the word “raggamuffin”