It seemed that a routine had been established. Holly and I would meet on a chance passing while transiting the place known as the downstairs.
I would stop in deference to her stature in the grand order of the colony. She would be just as likely to hiss and/or growl as she was to simply pass without acknowledging that I was even present. This puzzled me, so I got in a high place to observe the bigger picture.
It turns out that the big picture was influenced by a very little picture; a “sticker” as the tall new-staff referred to it. Tall new-staff put the sticker where Holly would be certain to see it even with her aging eyes. “Hiss less; Purr more” was the phrase.
I guess it was having some positive effects. Or was it something else?
Holly had been more aloof than normal. She was sleeping a lot and I thought she may have been preparing for a journey. Then she took over the green chair in what I thought was my room. Oh well, whatever. At least she wasn’t screaming or hissing at me any longer.
Occasionally she would look up from the chair, blink a couple of times, watch to see that I didn’t move too quickly, and then put her head back down. This went on for days. The new-staff two-footers would come in and make over her, make hushed talk, and then slip away almost as quiet as a cat. (Impressive!)
Some days later I noticed that I hadn’t seen Holly. Anywhere. I looked all over the downstairs and the places on both sides of the gate. She was gone. Well, it wasn’t like we were best of friends but it wasn’t like I didn’t try. I knew my place in her colony and I was always polite to her (not that she noticed or anything).
Later, the dog told me that Holly had gone over the Rainbow Bridge. I don’t know all there is to know about that event in life but what I’ve heard is this: You meet a special two-footer on the other side of the bridge; the Great Veterinarian or something like that. He gives you all nine lives back and you’ll never have to give up any ever again. That’s a pretty significant life change. (But I wonder if there is a red dot and yellow string too?)
