It's raining and cool outside. I am sitting in my office, the lighting is dim, the smell of vanilla scented candles are relaxing my mind and muscles, it is the perfect time and place to do some reflecting.
I don't stop and think often enough of how grateful I am to have Cody in my life.
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| "Bobo" |
At the time I adopted Cody back on July 28, 2007 I was in the midst of grief. My beloved cat Bobo, whom I had shared my life with for 18 magical years, had crossed over to the Rainbow Bridge on July 2, 2007.
I was with Bobo when he passed. I chose to have his pain ended in our home, with my husband and I, in a place where he felt at ease, surrounded by the people who adored him.
When he took his last breath I literally collapsed on top of him shrieking in pain and heartache. At that moment I couldn't bear the thought of life without him. We weren't just a "woman and a cat", we were one. We were one in our heart and our souls. The pain I felt was indescribable.
For the next few weeks I felt lost. My hands longed to touch Bobo's fur, my nose missed the feel of its softness. My heart missed the kitty love of my life. Since I never was blessed with human children of my own, Bobo was my BABY. As crazy as many would think that is, he was MY BABY.
I am convinced that Bobo was watching from the "Bridge" and couldn't bear to witness the pain that I was in. I cried often and uncontrollably, my heart ached with emptiness.
July 28, 2007 I found myself attending an adoption event that a friend had suggested that I go to. I didn't think I was ready to adopt another cat. Looking back, I think Bobo was working his magic from above by sending me there. He never could bear to see me sick or hurt. He always had to find a way to make me feel better.
There was a cage that contained 3 kittens, two of which particularly interested me. Neither of them were Cody, but they were both his littermates.
Neither kitten seemed particularly impressed with me. Then my eye caught the feisty silver gray tabby who had been merrily climbing in the corner of the cage. Cody was a rough and tumble little guy, stockily built, he walked with a kitten swagger, as if to say "Why are you bothering with my brother and my sister? I KNOW you want ME!"
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| Adoption Day! July 28, 2007 |
I asked the volunteer "to please let me hold the gray one". Cody's tiny feline form immediately melted it's way into my lap as well as my heart.
He looked at me and exuded an aura of contentment and adoration, the likes of which I had never witnessed. He not only didn't want to move, he REFUSED to move. At that moment we BOTH knew that he had found a home.
Flash forward nearly five years. Cody still is content to be as close to me as he possibly can be. I am eternally grateful to him. He didn't "replace" Bobo, no cat ever could. But as my vet had said, "you aren't replacing Bobo, you are making NEW memories with another cat."
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| Cody & I at the vet, July 2011 |
Cody helped me to heal after the loss of Bobo, he has given me unconditional love, the strength to go on, laughter and joy, something/someone to dote on, a furry forever friend to kiss, love, care for and protect. Cody is my little cuddle-bug.
My friends used to tell me whenever I felt guilt about having adopted another kitty so soon after Bobo passed, that I loved kitties so much that Bobo would want me to give other kitties that needed a home the same love and devotion that I had given him for 18 years.
Now, I look at my Cody sleeping snug and safe next to my desk, he is lost in a dream of mousies, noms and catnip. We are both comforted, loved and at peace. I cherish every day that he is in my life because the years go by all too fast. I am thankful that we found each other, through the magic that was Bobo.
