Very poignant (spelling?). My own cat was recently maulled to death by our dogs...not very pleased about that. Happened the first week of school, too. Last time I saw him was when I was getting ready to leave for college that Sunday and he was in my room (he always was), rubbing his scent on everything and rubbing against his legs, eventually jumping up into my lap and just sitting there, purring like crazy. He did the same thing when I was in the loo, also. Now one of my other cats, this gigantic, Garfield-sized Maine Coon, seems to be bonding to me in the same manner. I miss Rudy like crazy. So yeah, I could definitely connect to this story.

It's amazing what words do. It makes me think of my own pet, and his old age. I'm so sorry for your loss. At this point in time, I am too naive and experiences to truly empathize, and I should be greatful. But it was able to bring tears to my eyes, and that was enough. Everyone was so human. The situation was so real. I felt there. I loved it.

I never thought I'd feel so much emotion for this story. I mean, I recently had to put my own cat down because she had diabetes and it kind of brought the same pain. I guess what I'm trying to say is that this story pretty much sums up what I felt...the lump in your throat and the tears in your eyes.

Very sad but beautifully written story :( I've only had one or two stories truely bring tears to my eyes and now your piece is added to that list...the denial the narrator felt in the story about the friend's death was so real and heartbreaking...and how they finally realized the truth in the end...that last line really just stung my heart...I'm very sorry for your loss...keep writing and god bless

Aww. That brought tears to my eyes.

I'm sorry about Ash. He still loves you, though, as much as or more than he ever loved you during his life.

I'm not going to pull the "he's in a better place now" crap because obviously, he was in the best place with you. But remember that he's happy now--waiting for you.

Don't go suicidal though or anything.

But aww, I'm sorry. This is one of the most touching stories I've read yet. It's so hard to lose a cat. I know. I mean, you think, "Oh, I should've given him more attention while he was alive, snap." But even my cat, Pepper, was this frisky, social girl, and she didn't want too much attention. Cats are just like that. My mom like to (she didn't really) killed herself pondering that.

I've still got tears in my eyes. And aww, I'm gonna pray for your cat, okay? Okay...

-paige :)

This is an exceptional story, and no mistake. I can really feel the emotion in everything, and I absolutely know what a situation like that feels like. Write more, the world deserves to hear what you have to say.