Smoosh the Cat

IN LOVING MEMORY

AMBER SNOW HOLIDAY CH'EAR

aka

MARSHMELLOW "THE SMOOSH"

MOUSE CHASING BEGAN: NOVEMBER 2, 1999

MOUSE CHASING ENDED: AUGUST 14, 2011

August 19, 2011

On July 22, 2001, I had the pleasure of meeting Marilee Griswold of Amber Snow Cattery. I had wanted to get a cat that was different, unique, and a breed that not a lot of people had seen. I ended up coming across an ad for Marilee's cattery in a cat publication at Petsmart. I will never forget the day that I went to her cattery in San Diego and saw all of these beautiful Scottish Fold cats and kittens running around. After being there for a little while, I decided to get down on the ground to see if any approached me. Only one out of the bunch walked up to me and put their nose in my face and that was "Marshmellow" - a two year old retired "Champion" show cat from the Cat Fancier's Association and a "star" from the Scottish Stars page on the Amber Snow Cattery web site. I knew instantly that I wanted her as my pet.

Throughout the next 11 years, Marshmellow became a very close friend and was there for me through some challenging times and I was there for her as well through some medical issues that she experienced. She and her "stepson" Samson traveled with me to Tennessee and back and helped me to keep my sanity while I was a few thousand miles away from my family. While there, we met a wonderful person named Christi who owns Pet Pal Pet Sitting that became Marshmellow (and Samson's) official caretaker when my travels took me back to California. She wrote me and said:

"I am greatly saddened by the news of Marshmellow's passing. She was one very special kitty and I loved her so much. I literally could not wait to get over there to see her (and Samson of course). I loved her little Buddha pose. She was so cute she made me laugh out loud. Thank you for bringing Marshmellow into my life while you were in Tennessee. I am so very sorry for your loss and I am here if you need me."

Marshmellow did many things that put a smile on my face such as her famous "buddha pose", wiggling her little ears when she got excited, begging me for some Boar's Head deli chicken to eat (which I always ended up giving her!), and always greeting me at the front door when I got home from work. She also used to sit and paw at my legs if I sat at my computer for too long without paying her any attention as if to say "Hey Dad! Play with me!". She was my first pet after moving out of my parents' home and helped to teach me responsibility, patience, and caring among other things.

It has been less than a week since she crossed the "Rainbow Bridge" and there is a huge void in my heart. Losing an animal is like losing a member of your family. I will be forever thankful for the time that I got to spend with her and for all of the memories as well as pictures that I have taken of her over the years. She was my "Beautiful Girl", my "Smoosh", and most of all, my friend. I love you Marshmellow. I hope to see you again one day. Please keep my dad, my brother, and everyone else in Heaven company. Until we next meet...

Love your Dad,

Allan

P.S. Please consider purchasing pet insurance like I did through a company like VPI Pet Insurance. People need insurance and so do animals!