Crossing the Rainbow Bridge - Zoe's Story

Just a few weeks shy of 17 years ago a friend of mine took in a stray cat. He was a rough guy on the outside, but a huge softy on the inside (as tough guys often are). And he knew nothing about cats, so he called me for help.

She was the coolest little thing. She was friendly and funny and adapted immediately to her new home in my friend's apartment. She ruled the place instantly; so he called her Queenie. And this Queen was just days away from delivering kittens.

I was there for the birth, and as soon as they were able to leave mama, I took one of the kittens home with me. The one that looked most like Queenie caught my attention. I can't remember what I was reading at the time, but it was some fiction regarding ancient Greeks. I named her Zoe

Means "life" in Greek. From early times it was adopted by Hellenized Jews as a translation of EVE. It was borne by two early Christian saints, one martyred under emperor Hadrian, the other martyred under Diocletian. The name was common in the Byzantine Empire, being borne by a ruling empress of the 11th century
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Zoe just fit her. She was very tiny and so full of life. You know, the kind of kitten that you'd find hanging by the claws from the curtain because she was chasing a fly. She didn't walk, but rather pounced about the house in a cute little sideways hop thing she always did.
She was the epitome of life

Playful and curious as cats often are, it was common to find her sitting in strange places or caught in odd predicaments or postures. She ran up Christmas trees to perch herself inside. Once she came flying up the stairs from the basement with a bird in her mouth. Still to this day I can't figure out how that happened. She never went outside and no doors or windows had been opened.

She's a trooper, my Zoe. In the past 17 years we've moved from Arizona to Illinois and from Illinois to Las Vegas. She traveled both moves like a champ. We've been through marriage and divorce. She was there for the loss of my ex's cat. She was there for us brining home our first puppy 9 years ago. And another puppy just 10 months ago. She always preferred being the only pet in the house, yet tolerated the others. But always with the hint of the Queen in her. She stood taller than the other cats, although she was tiny (6 lbs at her biggest). Size didn't matter, she'd always find a perch somewhere.

She was born in March 2001. I had just turned 27. Monday I turn 44. She was there for all of it. My entire adult life. And this week I made the decision to help my sweet, sweet Zoe cross the rainbow bridge. Choosing to end a life that did nothing but enrich mine. She was a naughty little cat. She clawed things she shouldn't, she tormented the dogs with her little attempts at shadow boxing and face swiping. She was demanding and attention needy. She was funny and she was sweet.

And I Loved Her With All My Heart

And when I said goodbye, I knew with all my heart this was the right thing to do. She'd given me so much joy in my life and it was clear there was little joy left in hers. My little naughty kitten that exuded life and playfulness was no longer visible. Her last moments were peaceful. She was held and rocked and loved. Sleep well my sweet baby girl.