"I love cats because I love my home;

And after a while, they become its visible soul."

Jean Cocteau

I’ll never forget the day I found her

Living in a deep dark damp crawl space

Under the old government office building

She was far too thin

She had a nasty eye infection

She was filthy and covered with parasites

And she had the saddest face I had ever seen

So I gently picked her up

And took her to my vet’s office

Where in total fear for her life

She bit and scratched everyone there

“You’ve got a real tough one here!” yelled the vet

As he tried to calm and medicate her

And soon this tough little crawl space feral

Became our beloved ‘Tuffy’

Her favorite pastime was sprawling out

In the sun in our bedroom bay window

Where she either enjoyed long leisurely naps

Or pursued her favorite hobby of bird watching

And my tough little girl was a very good student

Soon she was able to imitate almost any call

Of any bird that happened to perch outside our door

And soon she truly delighted in tricking all of us

She would find a deep dark corner to hide in

And devilishly practice her amazing bird chirps

And I would often laugh hysterically

As the dogs and cats rushed off in hot pursuit

Convinced a robin or a sparrow or a chickadee

Had invaded a closet or a bathroom or my den

And she would very proudly grin at them

When they discovered it was her not a bird

Tuffy also loved studying me for some reason

And very stealthily following me all around the house

Watching my every move - observing me at the computer

And I’ve always wondered what she thought of me

As she so passionately did her diligent homework

My very intelligent and tough little girl

Was also fascinated with our television set

She would camp out in front of it in the evening for hours

Mesmerized by the sights and sounds unfolding before her

She especially loved nature programs which featured birds

My tough little girl

Who I loved immensely

Who brought me so much joy

Who taught me so many lessons

Got terribly sick a few days ago

And died in my arms yesterday

Working at my computer

And watching television

And walking about the house

Will never be the same for me now

My every day life will never be the same for me now

Without my tough little girl gracing it with her presence

My world gets sadder and sadder

I lost my tough little girl yesterday

I wept as she died in my arms

I can’t believe she’s gone away

ÿ2006, Ed Kostro