1996

2013

Stray Cats

24 x 30 inches, Oil on Canvas

Two months to the day Salvador passed away I decided it was finally time to throw away his litter box which was always on my patio. Right after this I returned to the patio contemplating the now empty space then not more than 10 minutes later I hear "meow". I'm like what the?, so I walk out of my patio and see this beautiful cat on the lawn and "meow" back to him. He ran right to me so happy like he knew me his whole life. Noticing he was declawed and seemed lost I figured he must be an indoor cat that got out so took him in and got him scanned next day to see if he had any microchip owner info which there was a chip but with no owner info. Doing some detective work I called the manufacture of the chip who tells me they sold it to animal control in Aurora, IL. which I call. They trace the chip to a woman who adopted him from there in 2009 who I ask them to reach out to saying I found her cat in FL. I never heard back from the woman or animal control so I adopted him.

There is no doubt that God sent me Cheddar with the timing, strange circumstances of how he came to be with me, and how he was the perfect cat for me in so many ways. I never thought I would be able to have the same level of bond I had with Salvador, but the love, bond, and joy I had with Cheddar was equal as a father who loves two children. He turned out to be the perfect friend I needed to help me heal over the lose of Salvador being such a handsome, sweet, and gentle soul just like a living "teddy bear". I'll always be grateful to God for that day and for giving me a second chance to experience such joyful enrichment again in my life for 9 wonderful years with Cheddar. Rest in peace my sweet boy Cheddar I'll miss you so much the rest of this life till we meet again in the next.