Jasper

It’s hard to believe 9 years have passed since Jasper died.  I brought him home from the Sedona Humane Society on July 4th 1988. I’d been volunteering every Sunday, taking each dog for a walk, letting the cats out of their cages for a romp and bathing any animal needing a boost for higher "adoptability".

Jasper had the quarantine room to himself, having been brought in the day before – full of parasites and worms – hardly any fur on him, and fitting into the palm of my hand, with room to spare. The vet thought I was nuts to choose a kitten that was so gravely ill...but Jasper captured my heart. 

It took months and many vet bills before he fully recovered...a fighter, and a love-bug through it all. 

Paul and I have always had cats – all special; however, there’s never been one like our ‘Jazz’. He was wild, gentle, feisty, funny, ingenious, intuitive...typical ‘cat’ adjectives...but there was something extra-special about him.

He was a soul-mate of mine. For those who scoff at the idea that an animal can be one's soul-mate, I offer these words by Anatole France: "Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened."

Even now, every so often, I still catch a glimpse of him out of the corner of my eye.

“Jasper”, © 2012 Cathy Gazda, 7” x 9”, watercolor.  ♥