Innocent as a Cat Toy

Livey's cat, The Little Prince, got totally zonked out from his trip to the vet. http://northwoodswoman.blogspot.com/2006/02/my-poor-baby.html (Don't worry, he's better now.) Horrabin suggested tossing a scrunched-up empty cigarette pack as a toy to perk him up.

My cat April was so big on those crumpled up soft packs it was a real problem when I finally quit smoking. I had to *borrow* empties from my smoking friends, so April could play. She loved them so much she'd *fetch,* she'd bring them back to me to toss again, over and over, keeping it up for hours sometimes.

I'd pretend to toss it but fake her out. She'd take off like a rocket, then slam on the brakes - WHERE? WHERE?!? whip her head back and forth then turn and give me a Look, figure it out, come ambling back with her eyes half closed in feigned scorn -- who'd I think *I* was fooling, huh? -- get all happy again just from the noise I'd make scrunching the pack, but still this time keep an eye on my hand as I tossed the toy! - and go skittering and sliding as it ricochet'd around. She'd bat it about, slide, skip...poke at it, careen around after it, catch up again, POUNCE, glare at it -- take THAT! haha! -- and grab it up in her teeth, head and tail held proud and high -- and bring it back to me, mincing her paws. She'd stand there thinking a minute...then gently bend her head down and drop it delicately at my feet.

She was 19 years old when she died in my arms. I buried her with her toys. I couldn't find any crumpled cigarette packs. So I went to Publix and bought a pack. I had to go to two or three places before I found my old brand. That was important.

I was trembling, shaking like a leaf from head to toe, silent tears rolling down my face. Tried and tried and finally gave the smokes themselves away before I left the parking lot. I didn't want the temptation, even though it had been years since I quit.

And then, I made it home. I made it, and crumpled up that cigarette pack and buried it with her.