I Missed the Condolences

For the past two and a half years, since I've lived in the downtown area, my dog and I have often strolled downtown on our daily walks. The quiet squeak of my tennis shoes and the pitter patter of Zigi's paws are often the only sounds as we stroll quietly past storefronts on early morning walks. We often stop along the front windows of Bay Street Custom Picture Framing to say hello to our friend Squirt, the round, orange tabby cat. Sadly, Squirt passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 31st this past year.  Zigi loved Squirt a lot. He knew the cat by name and I always had a hard time pulling him away without a glimpse of that furry feline.

We had been wondering were Squirt was and sadly just found out this past Friday that he had gone to greater Catnip Pastures. I can't help but wipe a tear from my eye as I write these words. I've known my dog, Zigi, since the 9th day of life when I picked him out and named him. We have had a lot of great times together since he became this Girl's best friend over the past eight plus years. Many mornings as we walked the Port Orchard Marina I'd say to Zigi, 'Do you want to go see Squirt?' My little dog would start wagging his tail and head toward the corner of Harrison and Bay Street. He would jump up toward the window and stretch his neck until he could see Squirt inside the store. Sometimes Squirt played hard to get and other times he was very friendly. In either case, we sure loved that cat and will sure miss him. 

Here's a little more information about our friend:

Squirt Jackson was born in 1996. He lived a long life of almost seventeen years and worked his entire life in Customer Relations at Bay Street Custom Picture Framing. He enjoyed every day and greeted customers with a smile and pat on the leg. He will be missed by many merchants and frame shop friends. 

Squirt lived a good life and had a wonderful owner, Mallory Jackson who owns the shop. A lot of kitties aren't so lucky. Animal Rescue Families is an animal outreach organization that works hard to place pets in homes where they are loved and safe. They are always in need of food, blankets, toys and other pet comforts for cats (and dogs). I got the idea when I read Squirt's obituary - what a great one - to donate in honor of a pet we've loved so that another pet may live a better, healthier life. 

May you have all the tuna you can eat and all the milk you can lick up sweet Squirt, you will be missed.