KIBEASTUS J (KIBBY) CAT
1978-1997
REST IN PEACE
SWEET ANGEL

When I was a teenager I had a job working for the local newspaper.  I brought the papers to the paper boys for them to deliver.  One of the boys had a cat that had just had kittens, and I fell in love with Kibbers sweet face.  I named her something silly (not sure what but Im sure at 17 it had something to do with a boy).  My family, very wisely, refused to call her that, and went with my brothers name for her of Kibeastus J Cat.

Kibber liked to sleep between my legs.  When we had her spayed she was able to use this habit to her advantage.  Ths was back in the days when the cat had to wear an Elizabethan collar after surgery.  She would put the collar on either side of my feet, and then back out of the collar.  Once ought of the collar she would lick at the wound.  My mom said it was natural  for an animal to lick its wounds, and to leave her alone.  I came home from school a few days later to find her hiding in the closest with her belly wide open.
I rushed her to the vet, and they had to stitch her back up.  The vet was very angry with me, (as if I didnt feel badly enough) and I learned two valuable lessons....  Moms dont know everything, and letting a cat follow its natural instincts is not always a good thing.

Kibber loved to follow me on walks, and somehow seemed to know when I was leaving the neighborhood.  The minute we were far enough away from home for me not to turn around and take her home she would plop herself down in front of me and announce her presence.  I would always end up carrying her most of the way. 
I moved from Utah to Missouri in 1987, and left Kibber behind.  I thought she was too old to start life over again 1200 miles from home.  I dont regret this decision as she was alot of company for my parents, and always there to snuggle with when I came home.  She always seemed to remember me, and remembered that I was the one who would let her sleep on the bed and the one that would sneak treats to her.

Kibber had a good life until she reached 15 years old.  Her health started failing her, and she was senile.  She would yowl all the time.  We didnt know why but since then Ive learned this is a classic sign of a cat that has lost her hearing.  She didnt know how loud she was
Things reached a crisis point in 1997.  Her heart and kidneys started failing her.  Our vet recommended putting her to sleep.  I wish I had been there but my Mom stepped in for me, and saw Kibber out with dignity and love.
Sometimes it seems like she is still alive.  I can picture her rubbing her face against my fathers toes.  Standing outside my brothers door reminding him (loudly) that its time to be feed, or laying in the hallway between the bedrooms to see who would get up first, and sometimes falling asleep there and almost getting stepped on.  Its only when Im on the plane to Utah that I remember my Kibber wont be there to welcome me home, and its almost like the day she died all over again.