My Precious Punch Has Gone to Heaven

Punch Latham

July 4, 1994 - February 17, 2009

Loved by all of us

My best friend

Today, Punch was called home (and yes, I fully believe that pets go to heaven!) to her warm sunny place in heaven. For the past few days she has not been able or wanted to eat, so when we took her to the vet today, I was not surprised to hear that her blood (kidney) levels were double what they were on Friday. She was in end stage renal failure. It was not a hard decision to make - logically, but I feel like a hole is ripped out of my heart and it's still bleeding.

I know some of you are thinking, "But it's just a cat." But she was so much more. She was my dear, dear friend. She has lived in our house as long as Kevin and I have. She is everywhere I look. She is in the bathroom when I wake up, meowing for water. She is by the tub when I shower or bath, waiting for me to get out. She's in my bed -- sleeping with me. She's on the couch beside me while I work. She's meowing "MEOWK" (aka, milk) when I eat cereal or ice-cream so she can get some in her bowl. She's out in the yard, sunning. She's on the front porch. She's in the office meowing for her wet food. She's in my heart . . .

We were all able to be in the room with her, say our good-byes, tell her how much we loved her and that she had been such a good friend. I was able to hold her as she left. Her fur was soaked with my tears -- not the first time, but certainly the last. I will never have a pet that can replace Punch. She was the best cat in the world.

This photo was taken of her on Monday night -- sleeping in Ellie's chair bottom in the air.

And this one was on my cell phone. I have one almost exactly like it of her sister, Judy, laying in Joshua's crib when he was about the same age.

We buried her in the front flower area beside her sister Judy. Thank goodness for Kevin -- who knows how I would have been able to do that job.

Josh is very sad about losing Punch and he isn't saying much. I know he is hurting. She's been in his life since he was born. We have the sweetest photo of him in his car seat the day we brought him home and Punch has her paws up on the side of the car seat looking in at him.

I love you Punch. I will love you forever. I will miss you always -- my great, dear friend.