It’s not easy to say goodbye to a loved one, even a four-legged one. Over the past couple of years, our family has had to say goodbye to too many family members in our home. My grandmother, a close aunt, two of my favorite uncles, my mom, a close family friend who was like another mother to me, and last night, my son’s best friend, Tidbit, passed away.

My boy was pretty devastated, and it broke my heart to watch his pain. His cat, Tidbit was his best friend, his whole life. When my son was just 3 we went on a road trip to Bella Coola, BC to see my parents and attend the Fall Fair.

On that trip, we found a little tiny kitty, whose eyes weren’t even open yet, abandoned on the side of the road in a box. My son learned to love beyond his mom and grandparents. He learned about loving and caring for someone smaller and more fragile than himself.

We fed the kitty with an eyedropper until it could drink out of a bowl. I taught my son how to use toilet paper to wipe the kitty’s bum to teach it to pee. As Tidbit got older my son taught him to use the kitty litter. And during all this time, they were playing, laughing and cuddling together. They had many adventures over the years.

It wasn’t all roses for my son and me. We were going through a major life change during this time and it wasn’t easy. Tidbit was our rock and the place where we could come back to and know he loved us unconditionally and put up with lots of lovins.

To have Tidbit go to sleep not ever to wake again and come greet us at the door or play fetch any longer just breaks my heart. I’m going to miss his antics. I swear that cat was a dog in another life. He loved walking on his leash, playing fetch, running and chasing Tim as they were out in the yard. When my son came home from school or I came home from work, we’d come in the door and there would be Tidbit, waiting to greet us.

Oh Tidbit how we will miss you, my old sweet friend. Tim will miss you most I’m sure as you were his 20 year companion through thick and thin. During the good times and the bad you two were always together, even if it was just in spirit.

Rest easy sweet kitty. I hope you are with mom and the rest of our family, playing and having a wonderful time. Know you were loved more than words can say.