NaBloPoMo '10 - What a difference a year makes - #7

Wondering what NaBloPoMo is? Read this to learn all about it and why (and how) I'm participating!

What a difference a  year makes - #7

2009: Until June I had the best kitty-friend of my life. Abbey came to us as a too-big-eared kitten two days after we moved into our house - officially making it home. She came as part of a duo with her best friend, Penny. That was back in 1994. She nuzzled her furry and ample white-bellied wonderfulness into our hearts for fifteen delightful years. Through every one of those fifteen Abbey-ful years, she filled our home with a calm warmth that blossomed with our attachment to her and hers to us.

Abbey and I shared a very close relationship. She was incredibly intuitive and knew exactly when Mama Gina needed her some Abbey. I've written about Abbey and me many times before so it's really no surprise to many people that losing her was one of the most significant losses of my life.

And it happened in 2009, of course.

2010: I still miss Abbey more than I can (or care to) express. There's a humongous hole in my heart - in my life - that remains empty.

That being said, 2010 has brought me a different kitty relationship with our little man Cooper. He has begun to pay special attention to his Mama Gina. Where Abbey and I were friends, Cooper and I are more like mom and son. He is such a little clown - he makes me laugh every day. Oh, and he's absolutely addicted to his cat treats, which we call "candy." Not a night goes by that he doesn't sleep on me. He brings things to us from around the house (socks, stuffed animals, shoes, bathrobe ties...) in what I call his attempt to help provide for our "pride." Yup, he's our little family guy.

2010 has brought more kitty love into my life. Rather than look at it as having less because of the loss of Abbey, I am trying to look at it as having more because now I have Cooper's love in addition to having had Abbey's.

Thank goodness for kitty love.