Memory Lane Monday- Childhood Pet

I think anyone who was fortunate to grow up with a childhood pet knows just how strong that furry friend bond can be. I was no exception, and today I will tell you all about Smokey, my first pet.

Smokey was a grey cat and she was a stray. My mom had taken me with her to visit my great aunt when I was about seven and Aunt V had a litter of young kittens. I don’t remember exactly asking for this cat, although I’m sure I did, and I don’t remember picking her out, but Smokey came to live with us for 4 glorious years.

Smokey used to sleep curled around my head on my pillow at night. I know…the very thought of a cat doing that to my child almost goobs me out now, but her presence on my pillow, softly kneading her paws in my hair, was a comfort. Smokey was also very popular with the tom cats in the neighborhood and she proudly presented us with a litter of kittens, three in all, pretty often. Of course, this excited me to no end, but looking back I wonder why in the world my parents didn’t have her spayed.

Sadly, Smokey had to be put to sleep when I was 10 years old. I remember that day so vividly. I had come home from school and found her breathing very hard. Mom took her to the vet and it was suspected that she had been hit by a car. In any case, there was nothing that could be done, so she had to be euthanized. I remember going to sleep that night feeling so incredibly sad. While I didn’t understand all the specifics at that young of an age, I did understand that my sweet kitty wouldn’t be around anymore.

I never had another pet after that, besides a beta fish, until I was married. We now have two cats who found us, which is a whole ‘nother story by itself. I may not think about Smokey very often, but she definitely crosses my mind every year when we put our Christmas tree up. My mom had bought Smokey an ornament with her name engraved on it while she was alive, and I still put it on our tree to this day.

Read more great Memory Lane Monday posts here.