My Best Friend

On May 10, 1992, a little kitten was born in Everett, Washington. 5 1/2 months later on Halloween, a family going trick or treating saw this adorable kitten on their friend's, the Nelsons, front porch. They loved her instantly. One week later the Hornes receive a call from the Nelsons and ask if they would like their kitten because their daughter could not take care of her anymore. This kitten became a part of the Horne family. Her name was Blueberry, because she was born in a blueberry patch. However, her name was changed to Sasha. The little Horne children loved having a pet and a new friend. She had a liter of kittens in Washington on our cousin's, Shawn Call, bed. Sasha moved with us to Provo, Utah in the summer of 1994 and had another litter of kittens in our laundry room.
Sasha was no ordinary cat. She could tell when someone was feeling down and would come right over and begin to comfort you. There were many times when I would be sad and she would come and jump on my bed, lick and cuddle with me. She was always my best friend and I could always count on her to keep me company whenever I felt distant from my siblings.
Most cats don't live beyond their 'Nine Lives.' Sasha had many experiences where we thought she should have knocked off a few of those lives. She had been stuck in the shed without food or water for three days, stuck in between the garage door and house, stuck in our van in 100 degree weather, battled dogs, been on the roof, lost in horse patches where she would be gone for hours or a day, and go some days without eating food and loose all strength and then suddenly have all her energy back a few days later.
For the past few months, Sasha started loosing her energy again, her hair started clumping up in patches, and she was loosing weight. She was so tired that she would just lie around the house all day in areas where she could just relax. Even when the dog would come and try to play with her, she would not fight him anymore, she would just sit and take him jumping on her.
This morning, on September 6, 2008, Sasha was hidden behind the washer and dryer. Dad thought for sure that she had died in her sleep last night, but then he saw her move. He picked her up along with her pillow and moved her into the backyard in the area near the shed where she could lie in the old dog house. Once I was up and awake, I went out and sat on the dog house holding her for about 30-45 minutes. I knew this would probably be my last time to show her that I loved her. I just sat holding, cuddling, and kissing her. After Devin and Erin had come out to check on me and tell Sasha that they loved her and petted her, it was only a few more minutes until my hand couldn't feel her heartbeat anymore. She lived for 16 years and 4 months. Much longer than most cats live. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father had sent us such a wonderful cat that could be such a big part of our lives. Even though I lost my best friend this morning, the part that she played in our lives will forever stay with me. I love you Sasha.