Wild Side

Wild Side, originally uploaded by Design Nerd.

Rest in Peace Ellie (January 1, 1993 – May 16, 2008)

My Dearest Elephant,

It has been some time since I have felt your soft fur approach me in the night. I remember every time I would be filled with an invigorating sense of electricity and overwhelming joy when you would somehow outsmart mom and hide in my room before she closed my door after tucking me into bed. You would wait for a few minutes, waiting to see if your rouse had worked. Then, out of the ink black night, your soft “meow” would glide through the air, like a whisper. It was almost like you were saying “Is it clear to come out Matt? Has she gone?” “Ellie!”, I would sing in a whisper back to you, signaling that we were alone and free to frolic amongst the pillows and blankets. In the winter months, after I had added a few of the thinner fuzzy blankets for assured warmth, I would marvel as the static electricity would make your gentle fur spark and crackle.
The sparks would jump along your back as you rubbed your body against mine and purr a deep and soothing “hello.” I would stare at these little friends that had interrupted our night time rendezvous and then would hurriedly try to get you out of the blankets for fear that the static electricity might actually be hurting you. We would dance and play as much as we could before Mom would eventually figure out where you were and shoo you out of my room.

I miss you Ellie.

Your interactions with people where always incredibly genuine. You never fit the cat stereotype of an entitled roost ruler like your brother, although I am sure Mom will say otherwise. You were technically “Rachael’s Cat”, but you gave love to any and all that were near, and received it with the playful ‘plop’ on your side that became your trademark, but you only plopped after a single stroke down your back.

Everyone always says “remember the good times.” To be honest Ellie, I can’t think of any times that were not good. Sure you had your moments of indiscretion as you got older, but who can be blamed for that? I am sorry for all of the times that I would lay still and wait for you to become comfortable with your surroundings, then quickly jerk my arm or leg to make you frightened and jump 3 feet into the air. You were a good jumper.

You’re with your friends Henry and Cody now. While I know you guys didn’t really get along because he would lay in your sunlight and invade your space of the living room; you guys will get along great now. Sure Cody would freak us all out sometimes, but she loves all of us. I feel bad for not being there. I feel bad for being a stranger when I would come home for Christmas, only to have it take a few days for you to get used to me again; and then leave. I am sorry that you had to pass like this.

Heather tried to convince us that you were one of the runts and a poor choice for a pet, because she wanted to keep you for herself. We knew otherwise. I was so ecstatic to have you on that night driving back from Grandma’s house. Next to me in a cardboard box you were, with Tigger and Rachael in the back seat of Mom’s purple cutlass. You know the one, with the flags on the emblem that I would recite every time I got in the car. Listening to “The Night Has A Thousand Eyes” on the radio while we rode home.

Even though I am sure you are scared, we all love you and want the best for you. Hang in there Ellie. I made sure God went to the State Fair and got the same Tidy Cat food dish and a ceramic bowl for water.

God Bless You Elephant. My sweet and wonderful friend. I hope you’ll be happy where you’re going.

Sleep Well My Love. Feel no pain.

I miss you so much

Dear Baltimore,

Let us live in you.

Thank you.

Matt