Your Pet Tributes

by Stephanie Brekke
(Chaska, MN USA)

I have always yearned to have a pet of my own. My mom knew this, so one day she told my sister and I to get in the car because she had a surprise for us. We drove for a while until we finally reached the Golden Valley Humane Society. She told my sister and I we could each pick out a cat. I was ecstatic. I felt bad because I could only rescue one, but excited at the same time to have a pet of my own. I was drawn to this black and white ball of fur named Abby. When she saw me she rubbed up against her cage and meowed. I knew she was the one. I couldn't wait to take her home.

Abby was five when I adopted her from the humane society. Although we only had five years to bond, Abby became not only a part of my life, but a part of me. She captured my heart in so many ways; from lying on my lap to following me around the house; lying on the rug by the bathtub waiting for me to get out to me waking up in the morning to find her sleeping by my head on a pillow.

She used to love to lay by the shoes sitting next to the front door. I spoiled her so much, she actually started to act like the queen of the house. (Except around me of course!) I hated leaving her during the day alone, because I loved to spend time with her. I always told her, "Mamma loves you!" so she knew that even though I was leaving her, I loved her no matter what.

When I went away for college,I was devastated because I had never left Abby for more than a week at a time. The first time away from Abby was the hardest, but it got easier. It was never easy leaving Abby, but it was bearable after a while.
The last time I saw Abby alive was a couple of weeks before she died. I was going back to school in Iowa, so I kissed her goodbye like I always did, told her I loved her and that I would be back.

January 29th, 2010 was the day my heart was broke in two. My mom called me and said that Abby was gone. Words cannot describe what I felt. I was sad, angry, confused, and hurt all mixed together. I couldn't go to my afternoon classes that day. I just sat and cried. I still cry thinking about my darling Abby. It hurts so much thinking that I will never see her again; nor did I have a chance to say goodbye. That's what hurts me the most.

I always told her I would protect her and I failed as her mother. I couldn't protect her from the worst. She will always be in my heart, and I will never forget her. We went together like peanut butter and jelly. She was so special to me. Every day I think, if I could hardly leave her for a couple of months while away at school, how can I survive a lifetime without her in my life?

I will miss you, my Abby!