Posted under cats
Onyx came into my life way back in 1988, which was the year that I really got into Tracy Chapman and her song “Fast Car”. We got her along with Phoenix at the Hawaiian Humane Society and they were my very first cats.
The Human Society had three rooms. There was a room for the adult cats, a room for the adolescent cats, and a room for the kittens. We first went into the adolescent room and that was where Phoenix plopped himself on my lap. He seemed to say, “Okay. I’m ready to go.” So I took that to heart and took him home.
Before I went home though, I decided I really wanted a black cat. Now please understand that I had never really owned pets before and I was completely inexperienced in the choosing of them. So all I did was walk into the kitten room and scoop up a black kitten and walk right back out. I didn’t even check to see if the kitten was male or female. All I can say to that is I was only 16 years old and not a very smart one at that!
That’s the story of how Onyx came into my life.
It’s a miracle that she became the perfect companion for me, but she did. She never complained if I stayed out all night. She never criticized my taste in music or in men. (Well, maybe in the men.) She was always there for me to cuddle or to cry on when life got a little hard. All she ever asked was to be near me.
Yesterday, Onyx passed away in my arms at the vet’s office. It was very peaceful and very quick. I’m comforted in the fact that she did not suffer any indignities or pain, but the fact remains that there is a hole in my heart and in my life that may never truly be filled again with her gone.
I go through phases where it doesn’t seem like she’s gone quite yet. That maybe she’s just in another room. Then there are moments when it hits me like a brick wall and the grief is overwhelming. She’s been a part of my life for so long, (nearly half my life) that I can’t hardly imagine life without her.
It helps to think of her finally reunited with Phoenix and to think that the two of them are waiting for me there at Rainbow Bridge. Until then though, I will sorely miss her and I know that nothing and no one will ever replace her in my heart.
Rest in peace, baby.
