It has been a little a little over 2 1/2 months since we had to say goodbye to our little Amber (Amber Pamber) and not a day goes by that we don’t think about her. She was part of our lives for 14 ½ years.
Amber was so small when we brought her home from the Humane Society and just in case our older cat Lisa didn’t take to us bringing home a new companion for her to play with (we had to make a decision about her playmate Crystal a few months prior and she was lonely) we placed Amber in the guest bathroom until we thought it was a good time to introduce them to each other. Probably a good thing because we soon discovered she had ear mites and a highly contagious respiratory problem so the introduction had to be put off for over 4 months (she did get moved to the guest bedroom during that time).
Finally, Amber was over her medical problems and was tired of being quarantined, so it was decided to let her out and to get to know the other feline in the family. Oh my! Lisa probably wished Amber had remained confined as she did not like this little bundle of energy when she finally was able to move about the whole house. Until the day we had to say goodbye to Lisa, we had to play referee and try to make sure Amber wasn’t tormenting her too much. We can still see her little rear wiggle back and forth waiting to jump on Lisa as she came down the hall. If people at the door didn’t know our “kitty kids” had human names they would probably turn and run from hearing a cry of frustration through the door, “can’t you girls just get along for one moment please?”
Amber was the best little helper around the house. She would be right there when it was sheet changing time and get herself between the top and bottom sheet which made it difficult to ever finish making the bed in a timely manner. She loved the smell of bleach and comet (it was like kitty nip to her) so cleaning was an adventure to make sure she didn’t get into any of the supplies (thankfully she never did). Then trying to make a salad was one of the biggest challenges. If you turned your back for one moment she would be up on the counter and take out a piece of lettuce to eat. She truly was like a little mischievous kid, but one that made us laugh each day. Oh and what a spider hunter! She could spot them clear across the house and they never stood a chance when she was on watch.
One thing that took us by surprise was the fact she loved water. We would find her sitting in the deep basin utility sink with just her head peaking out waiting patiently for someone to come in and turn the water on so she could have it run over her head to get a drink. We would always remind her she had a perfectly good fresh bowl of water she could get a drink out of, but she didn’t care. Probably because she knew we would always do whatever she wanted. Yes she was a spoiled little girl. Friends would tease and say they wanted to come back as one of our cats.
We have so many wonderful memories of Amber and we know she is waiting for us to be with her and the other two someday so we can all cross Rainbow Bridge together.
We would like to thank Dr. Benson and the rest of the wonderful staff at the Desert Veterinary Clinic in Richland for the care they showed for all of our “kids” throughout the years and also for the wonderful donation in Amber’s memory.
Vicki B. and Bob R.

Bob R. and Vicki B.