When our elderly cat Silver died in 2017, my husband Tony and I struggled emotionally. Our children were grown and our grandchildren were on the other side of the US. Within 6 weeks we had adopted a kitten. Well, Tony adopted him, I was just there for the ride. The kitten had a great deal of energy and Tony named him Sparky.

Thus began a great friendship between these two males. I sometimes felt left out but was glad they had each other. Because of where we live, Sparky had to stay indoors. I was still working but Tony was retired, so they spent a lot of time together.

Tony had heart disease and ended up in the hospital in November 2018 and January 2020. Each time he went away for about 8 days, causing Sparky great concern. The pandemic sent me home to work in 2020, just in time to be there as Tony recuperated. Sparky got used to me being home all the time, but he was still Dad’s cat.

Tony ended up in the hospital a final time in August 2021. Sparky knew the pattern and expected Dad home after 8 days. Only this time he didn’t come home because he caught Covid in the hospital. Sparky kept a vigil, night after night, waiting for Dad to come home, but he never did. 3-1/2 weeks after going in the hospital Sparky and I lost him. It took Sparky three months of keeping a vigil before he reluctantly realized his Dad wasn’t coming home.

Sparky is now my cat, a wonderful gift from my husband. Sparky is still full of energy and a true joy to have around. Tony and I share children and grandchildren, but we also share this amazing and remarkable animal who reminds me every that I am not alone, and that Tony is still with me in a way.