Bowser’s Last Banquet

Much more than a pet
my soul-companion Bowser
was born blessed in spirit
curious, mercurial, and loving.

Our thirteen shared years
were a gift cradled
in a love that deepened
as his life waned.

When his miracle drug
could no longer save him,
he hunkered down on the
fireside hearth to die.

I had to relieve his suffering.
The call was made
Tears were shed
We had only one day left.

Then there was a choice —
to mourn his imminent loss
or celebrate his life and
help him live ‘til he died.

So Bowser’s last supper was a banquet.
His brother ET and sweetheart Tess
gathered ‘round him by the fire
to feast one last time together,
all relishing a main course of tuna
side dish of intoxicating catnip
and kitty treats for dessert.

Curled up close to my beloved Bowser,
I became the fourth cat,
grateful he could eat,
taking pleasure in his pleasure.

Fully satiated, he stretched his full body length out on the warm stone hearth
at peace and deeply contented
to dream by the fire.

Ann West, 2.11.15