Simply Cats

The Adoption Center is still. It has been a week since Boomer walked across the Rainbow Bridge to his eternal home, free of the cancer that took him from us, yet I feel his presence all around me and I take comfort in knowing that his spirit will continue to watch over us.

From that first day in June 2005 when he came back, having been returned 10 years after adoption, he and I were the best of buddies. It was my shoulder he wanted to ride on, and I was always happy to oblige him. His favorite trick was to take the straw from my Diet Coke, chew on it a little bit, play with it some, but always give it back. And you couldn’t fool him with just any old straw, freshly torn from the wrapper. No, the fun part was pulling the straw out through the lid without knocking over the cup, and Boomer was the master.

As he settled into life back at Simply Cats, it was apparent that Boomer was an extraordinary feline, one who craved as much attention as one person — or 10 — could give him. Soon he became our official greeter, as no one could come into our old place without first seeing Boomer. The volunteer table became his favorite spot because he knew that every volunteer had to sign in and if he was on the table, they would give him some love. It didn’t matter if he was fast asleep on the table, having had a very busy morning of shoulder riding, treat begging, or expressing his opinion during meetings, when he heard the door open, he snapped to attention and made sure that everyone knew he was there. This was his life, and he was happy to be living it.

A diagnosis of diabetes a year after his return and then cancer just a few short weeks ago may have slowed him down a bit, but he never lost the desire to be the center of attention. His belief was that everyone came into the Center just to see him, and he was pretty vocal to those who didn’t seem to understand that. But it wasn’t about being selfish. He just wanted everyone to see how happy he was and how much he loved them. One thing you can say about Boomer is he gave as good as he got in the love department!

There are many things I’ll miss about Boomer: the joy in his face when he convinced someone new to pick him up and carry him around on their left shoulder; the satisfaction he derived when he was able to finagle a bite of someone’s lunch; or the mischievous look in his eyes when he made his escape into the storeroom. But what I’ll miss most is the unconditional love he had not just for me, but for each and every board member, staff member, volunteer, visitor, or delivery person he ever met.

Farewell, my sweet Boomey. I’ll love you always.