Nine Lives

The three of us were excitedly rushing around Sunday morning, trying to get out the door to a mission farewell of a darling young man in the big city. Ahead of us, Dean was barely in the garage when he suddenly rushed back in with a terrified look on his face. Not that we hadn't been expecting this for quite some time...Dean sadly informed us that Luga Luga the family cat had passed away in the night.

It was just about 18 years ago, Lawyer Girl Dione was a fresh faced little kindergartner at Wilson Elementary.  She eagerly approached each new school day with excitement and energy.  The latest assignment was Kindergarten Pet Day.  It was simple...bring in your favorite pet to share with the class.  There was only one problem, our young little family didn't have any pets...yet!

Luga Luga as a kitten

Have no fear...Unni (Dione's grandmother) is here. And not to worry, Unni had a new baby kitty she would "loan" us for the assignment. 

The big day arrived and little Dione proudly shared "Unni's" kitten with her fellow students. I loaded Dione, her Daddy, and the kitten in the car for the return trip to Unni's. Kindergarten pet day came and went, but the kitten didn't.

She stayed...and had been with us ever since. 

Luga Luga stuck as her name because our little girls couldn't say "Here kitty kitty" but said "Here Luga Luga" instead.  It just sort of stuck after that.

One winter while we were living in Denver, Luga Luga got lost.  We thought she was gone forever. Ten year old Dione wrote this little poem...

Memories For Luga-Luga

Luga may be gone

She may have left us for good.

But whomever's property she may be on

I will love and remember her as I would.

Now we most likely will have more mice

We will all always miss her.

Though it would be nice

Again to feel her fur.

But we must go on like everyone else

Even though we are missing a family member.

Even though my heart is about to melt

I for her will remember.

Remember her beautiful color

Remember her wonderful eyes.

Remember how Cassandra thought no cat could be duller

Remember how she wasn't very wise.

When she decided to jump down the window well

And of course she couldn't get back out.

But already I can tell

That we are all going to pout.

If she could just come home to our little dome

Luga you will get so much glory.

If you just come home

And tell your story.

The Garlick girls with Luga Luga's kittens.

Luga Luga spent 6 weeks living in the Colorado wilds on her own warding off coyotes and who knows what else. She came home, but we never did know her story...just one of her nine lives. Her last few years were quiet, spending her days resting on a tattered old pillow in the garage.  No longer the avid mouser she once was, Luga Luga seemed content to have her head patted about once a month.

Sunday morning we took a minute and gathered up each other, tears flowing. Believe me...we know Luga Luga was just a family cat. But at that moment...the grief was more than losing a treasured pet. It triggered an avalanche of pain and grief in each one of us. I'm convinced we are in for a lifetime of events that will tear at the scars on our hearts.  Chet and I discussed how easy it would be to guard yourself against this pain and never let anything or anyone inside your heart. But who wants to live such an empty life!

Later that evening we would lay her to rest under a favorite pine tree next to Congo the treasured pooch.

I wonder...are there cats in heaven?