I’ve taken a bit of a break from the business this week. Those of you that are a fan of la la ladybug on our facebook page will know the reason: my little cat, Keegan, passed away on Monday. 

As I write this, Rob is at our vet clinic, talking to them about our little Keegan. The vet was very gracious in giving us some time to think about what we’d like to do. 

It seems to weird to think that our youngest cat is now gone. Chasing mice in cat heaven, as my aunt said to me the other day. I always assumed that Keegan would be the cat that Amelia would grow up with.

He came to us as a stray kitten. 5 years ago, during Fringe time in August, our friends found the little guy in the “Robes N’ Relics” shop off Whyte Ave. They did all the things you are supposed to do when you find a stray – called the SPCA, put up flyers, etc. No one was looking for this kitten.

They couldn’t keep him and so asked us if we would take him in. After some discussion, we decided that he would fit right into our family of me, Rob, and our two other cats. 

We named him Keegan because he had red and white fur – Keegan in Gaelic means “little fiery one”. He was indeed fiery, and loud, and a small puffball of energy.

Keegan was so tiny. The vet guessed his age at 4 months, too young to be neutered. Little did he know that Keegan was in fact over 6 months old – that cute little kitten began to howl and spray our shoes! It wasn’t long before we took him back to get him fixed.

Our little kitten has part tabby, part stripy, and totally fearless. He would run right up to the other cats and then plop himself right on top of them and snuggle in. He had such a loud purr –Rob used to call him briggs, like a loud briggs and straton motor. 

He sat on the countertops above the fridge, slept in the laundry closet on freshly washed laundry, and snuggled with Tybalt in their cat bed. It was never hard to find him; all you had to do was call his name and he would answer with his little kitten meow and come running to find you.

No matter how many years past, he was still a kitten. Still had the little kitten meow, still had that super soft kitten fur, and was still so tiny. What he lacked in size, he made up for in personality. When I went into Amelia’s room in the morning, he would jump on the window ledge and meow his good morning. He was always underfoot, and always talking to anyone who was in the room. You could never ignore Keegan. He had a way of making everyone laugh.

I miss my little guy so very much. He wasn’t just a cat; he was my family. He is everywhere I look, and yet he’ll never be here again. 

I was very touched to see that my friend, Sue, did up a memorial to Keegan on her blog, Memories by Sparky. I have included the tribute she made for him below. 

I know it will get better, I know that it will take time. Keegan was a wonderful part of our family and we are better for knowing him.

http://memoriesbysparky.blogspot.com/2010/10/it-hurts-they-are-family.html