I wanted to tell you about someone.  He’s quite possibly my oldest friend {minus cousins}.  This is Snowball.  We’ve been friends since my ninth birthday.

My Papaw {an old cowboy from Nebraska} called me up and asked me what I wanted for my birthday.  We’d be visiting soon and he wanted to have it ready.  Nine-year-old little me knew exactly what she wanted: a solid white cat to call ‘Snowball.’  Papaw told me I would have just that.

When our conversation ended, Teeyl got on the phone and fussed at him for his promise.  She told him our landlord wouldn’t allow another animal and that is would be best to forget the whole idea.

But you never met my Papaw.

When we arrived for our yearly visit, Papaw led me out to the barn, first thing.  He had not just one cat, but three.  Two were orange and white, playful and friendly.  The third was shy and hidden amongst the feed barrels.  As everyone went back to their welcomes, I managed to coax the little guy out.  He was a solid white little ball of fur.  As a storm blew in, I bundled the little guy up into the bib of my overalls and headed for the house.

We’ve been pals ever since.

Snowball is 18 years old this year.  He resides back in his home state with my Dad and Teeyl.  My heart felt a twinge at saying goodbye to him when our last visit was over.  I made sure to say it with extra meaning and affection.  I fear I never know when it will be the last.  His health is fair, but his years are long.

He’s definitely one of the family.  The oldest of three cats {not the two prior mentioned}.  But I won’t lie, he’s the best cat I’ve ever seen or owned.  Loyal to the bone.

{Revised 2-7-13: We sent Snowball off the the big kitty afterlife a little over a week ago. He lived to be 18, almost 19, years old. That’s a really long time for a cat. My parents held onto him until it was obvious he just wasn’t comfortable any more. Without lots of medicines and pain relief, he just wasn’t going to make it.  And we didn’t want to try to force him through it..  Saying goodbye was a lot harder than I expected, being 10 hours away.}