Reply #31: Chuckanut's story

[chknltl]

Oh God, now I am missing my lil bud 'Chuckanut' again. I had to have him put down years ago. Here is his story:

Two and a half decades ago, a litter of kittens was born in our home. One kitten was polydactyle having 7 toes on each of his front paws. I was rather fond of this little black and white fella but I knew that someday we'd be givin' him up. The lil guy seemed to like me too, followed me around the house everywhere once he had gotten his legs going.

One day my ex, (well she wasn't my ex back then), called me downstairs to the living-room and informed me that a neighbor was coming over to choose a kitten. No problem...we had an abundance and that WAS the plan after-all. The neighbor owned a logging truck and wanted a companion kitty to hang with. He selected the then unnamed Chuckanut and had him in his lap and was about to leave when Chuckanut bit him, (the ONLY time Chuckanut EVER bit ANYONE!), and escaped from the grasp of the logger.

Chuckanut then scampered across the few feet between us and clawed his way up my pantsleg...then up my shirt to nestle his head next to my ear for protection. I swear this is true!!! Obviously there was NO WAY IN HELL I would give this guy up after THAT show, so the logger was forced to select another kitten.

Chuckanut and his curious paws was my little bud for perhaps 15 or so years. I named him after Chuckanut Drive, a scenic road which overlooks the San Juan Islands up in the N.W. corner of Washington state. He liked to nestle in my laundry or near my shoulder when I was in bed or in my lap while I drove my van. I was HIS human period!...I was there when he was born and I was there when I had to put him to sleep. He knew what was up I think, and was terribly scared.... I am still after perhaps 5 years in deep pain from his passing.

I know what you are going through Lavender Brown. There are many here in the DU who equally understand what you are going through...Few of us have any advice to offer but we DO understand your pain. I wish I could say it will get better...but in my case this hasn't happened.

An aside: the logger and his kitten where in a horrible accident a few months after they teamed up. His logging truck was involved in a rollover accident where he lost both his legs just below the knees and the kitten he selected lost it's life.

:grouphug: