3 of 26

Write now Article Tools

Lynn and John's 15-year marriage had begun deteriorating three years earlier, after John's affair with his secretary, and just couldn't recover. They mutually agreed upon separation. Their two small daughters would reside with Lynn and she and the children would remain in the family home. In fact, the separation didn't outwardly affect the lifelong friendship Lynn and John had enjoyed and there was little, if any, animosity between them. The only bone of contention at their separation was who would take Fred.

Fred was the ancient, family cat and his unruly, cantankerous, refuse-to-use-the-cat box ways worsened daily. Fred had adopted Lynn and John shortly after they were married and living in their first apartment. He just appeared on their doorstep one night; a rain-soaked, pitiful, little kitten, and two tender hearts couldn't refuse him. He was a family fixture by the time each of the children was born and they'd never known a day without dear, old Fred in their lives.

In the interest of the childrens' devotion to the old cat, Lynn finally agreed Fred could continue living with her and the girls in the family residence. John breathed a huge sigh of relief as he had rented an apartment and pets were allowed but expensive luxuries as the pet deposit was exorbitant. In gratitude, John agreed to help Lynn with Fred whenever she needed him. Fred had suffered numerous health problems, other than hairballs, and was very frail. Repeated trips to the vet mostly resulted in a diagnosis of old age.

The enormity of a huge house to maintain, her job, two little girls and an ageing cat finally became too much for Lynn. She and John decided to put the house on the market and hired a realtor named Jan. Shortly after the "For Sale" sign went up, Lynn woke up one morning, began preparing the girls' breakfast and suddenly realized Fred hadn't appeared in the kitchen as he did each morning. Lynn headed to her bedroom, where Fred always slept, curled up in a blanket at the foot of her bed. She unwrapped the covers and discovered Fred had gone to cat heaven sometime in the night.

Thirty minutes later, after many tears, Lynn realized the clock was running, the children weren't up or fed and it was going to be difficult to get them to school on time much less get to work anywhere near 8:00 o'clock. Her anxiety was heightened when she realized something had to be done with dear, old, dead Fred. She'd call John and ask him to bury Fred in the back yard.

Then she remembered! She

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Humor: Cats?
We want to hear your view. Write now!