Domino

I can remember the exact moment as a child when I fell in love with cats. I was around six years old and my mom had taken me  to a neighbors house who lived at the end of our street. The neighbor (whose name I can't remember) was the owner of a gorgeous gray longhaired cat named Misty. I was so  fascinated the first time I saw Misty. I thought she was so beautiful with her long fluffy fur and adorable round face. I don't even remember if I was able to pet her or not. I only remember looking at her in amazement and wishing she were mine.  I knew from that moment on  I was a cat lover and I was determined to talk my parents into getting me a cat of my own. This was the very beginning of my long quest to becoming a cat owner. Of course at the time I believed that all cats were female and all dogs were male so I decided when I got my first cat it would be named Tinkerbell.  For many years after meeting Misty I begged my parents for a cat but my Dad would always tell me I wasn't allowed to have one and that he didn't even like cats. I then began to collect as much cat paraphanelia as possible to show my dedication to cats. I filled my room with cat books and magazines, figurines, clothes and  pretty much anything else cat-related I could find. When I turned 11 it occured to me that if I bought all the supplies needed for a cat then my parents couldn't possibly say no any longer. So I saved all the money I got from my  allowence and bought all my supplies; a litter box, collar, toys, food bowl, treats and I even took a class on how to groom a cat. A few days before my 12th birthday my persistance finally paid off.  My Aunt called me and said she was getting me a cat for my Birthday. I was bursting with excitement after hearing those words come from her mouth  but then reality set in and I realized my Dad probably would not let me keep the cat. I told my Aunt that I didn't think Dad would allow me have the cat but she assured me I was getting a cat whether he liked it or not. Two days later my Aunt arrived at our house holding a blue pet carrier in one hand and a bag of cat food in the other.  I just couldn't believe after all these years I was finally getting a cat. I could not wait to meet our new family member. My Aunt set the carrier on the floor, unhinged the door and out walked this beautiful black cat that looked like a minature panther. I was immediately in love. His name was Domino. He was mostly black with a white patch under his chin and a few  more white patches on his belly. My Aunt said to me "Domino loves pillows" so I immediately rounded up every pillow in the house and piled them on my bed. I went and picked Domino up and set him on the top of the mountain of pillows and he just laid there happy as could be. I knew at that moment he was meant for our family and we were meant for him. Domino quickly became a loved member of the family and even my Dad couldn't resist his charm.  My Dad became very attached to him like the rest of the family and thought he was a really special cat. Out of everyone though, my Mom definitely had the closest bond with Domino. She adored him and he adored her. She would sit on our back porch for hours with Domino in her lap. He would never try to get down and run off. He was just so content sitting with her and enjoying the fresh air. My Mom to this day get's choked up whenever she talks about Domino and she remains set on the fact that "he was the best cat there ever was". In the Summer of 1999 Domino became sick and began breathing heavily. I dropped him off at the vet one morning before I went to work and picked him back up that evening . The vet told me to take him home along with a new medication.  I was concerned because he was still breathing heavy but the vet told me he was okay and to call if there was any problems. I figured that since the Vet wasn't too worried then I shouldn't be either. After taking Domino back home and getting him settled in I decided to go out with some friends. About an hour after leaving the house my mom called and told me I needed to get home because Domino was a having convulsions.  I immediately rushed home, grabbed Domino and sped off to the Pet ER. Domino died in my arms on the way there. We were all devestated at the sudden passing of our beloved Domino. Even now over ten years later my eyes are filled with tears as I'm typing. As hard as it was to lose Domino,  I can't imagine not having him growing up. He brought so much happiness to our family and he is missed greatly. Rest in Peace Sweet boy!