A Quiet Morning

For most of the last few years I had three alarm clocks. The first was my internal clock which prevents me from sleeping past 6:30. I'm not saying I didn't go back to sleep on some days, but no matter what I wake up at 6:30. The second was my trusty Sony clock radio alarm clock which has been with me since college. It's not overly pretty, but it's certainly effective. The third was the most effective, the most annoying, and the one that didn't go off this morning.

Wyatt would would sit outside the bed room door and voice his displeasure that we were not awake, that he had not been provided his morning portion of canned food, or that nobody had picked him up and given him some attention. It would start at 6:45. Without fail. This morning I was awake well before my internal alarm clock said I should be. Well before the Sony charmed me with it's harsh alarm chime. I was waiting for my third alarm clock to come. I was sure last night was just a bad dream. Sadly, reality set in. Wyatt is gone.

We called the vet and have made his final arrangements. I had to take him to the office this morning. I was OK until the lady asked if she could take him away. I don't remember saying "ok", but I must have. Because she took his box and carried him gently away from me. For the last time.

I paid for his arrangements. I don't remember what it cost. I came home. I was OK. Then I went to look in Wyatt's recent acquisition -- a left over box from the move that had been used to pack blankets, old soccer bibs, and other soft possessions. Wyatt had made a nest in there. For the last few weeks I had chuckled as I watched him hop up into that box. I had done the same as I would go over and look in and see what we called a "cat-ball" curled up, asleep. I know it's foolish and childish, but I looked in the box hoping to see him. No dice. At that point reality set in. My pet is gone. No more cat-balls. No more funny gymnastics. No more finding him in different perches or hiding places.

And no more alarm clock. Something I complained about until it wasn't there. But something I miss. Greatly.