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Domino
Domino came to us as a 6-month old stray in February 1995. We
weren’t sure at the time if we wanted a cat; but, after having her
for a week, we decided to keep her. We were having a problem with
field mice getting into our house (and eating our Hershey's Kisses
and Reeses Peanut Butter Cups of all things), and she immediately
solved that problem and kept those mice at bay for the entire 11-1/2
years that we had her.
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As her name implies, Domino was black and white–the blackest black
and the whitest white–a truly beautiful cat. However, she was also
an extremely intelligent alpha cat, which meant she was convinced
she was the queen of everything, and she made sure we knew it! She
could be overbearing, obnoxious, stubborn, persistent and insistent
in her wants and needs, single-minded, and loving; and, most of the
time she was the first six, then loving when she felt like it. She
wanted to go in and out of the house at least 1,000 times a day
(especially if it was raining), which meant one of us had to open
the door for her each time (then we had to dry her and her muddy
feet off each time she came back in if it was raining, about which
she complained bitterly). It reminded us of those tee shirts that
say: “Agenda for the Day:” Let the cat in; let the cat out; let the
cat in; let the cat out, let the cat in.” She also demanded to eat
whenever she felt like it and there was no talking her out of it.
She would absolutely drive you stark raving mad until you finally
gave in and gave her what she wanted. It was that overeating that
eventually led to her getting abdominal cancer. We were forced to
put her down on July 10, 2006–the hardest thing we’ve ever had to
do.
When you have a cat for almost 12 years, they become a much beloved
part of the family, as well as a constant presence in your house and
yard. Still today, 3-1/2 months later, we miss her terribly and
expect her to come running into the house each time the door is
opened. If we came home late in the evening, she would always be in
the garage and would run out to greet us as soon as the garage door
opened. Domino wasn’t a cuddly cat. She was as round and hard as a
weaner pig and hated to be picked up. When you did manage to pick
her up, it felt as though she may pop. She did love to be petted,
however, as long as you didn’t pick her up. And, occasionally, she
would even sit on our laps.
Fortunately for us, we have another old cat who also came to us as a
stray 5-1/2 years
ago–Mr. Brown. Domino never accepted Mr. Brown so he spent most of
his days under our bed. The good news is that Mr. Brown has
blossomed since Domino’s death and his true personality is now
allowed to shine forth. Now he goes under the bed only when
strangers arrive at our house. He now purrs out loud and even rolls
over and lets us rub his belly, which he never did when Domino was
alive and in charge. He also has full run of the house and gets to
lay in the warmest spot--in front of our natural gas free-standing
stove-- without having to deal with Domino for that space.
Domino, we loved you very much, pretty girl, and we’ll never, ever
forget you. Thanks for being such a good hunter and keeping all
those mice out of the pantry. Mr. Brown will not be able to fill
your shoes in that department.
From Your loving Mom and Dad
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Revised
Nov.
3, 2006
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