Ludicidal Tendencies

Okay, I'm not usually one to post on personal matters, but I'll make an exception for this.

My cat, who I've had for 11 years, just died. I just found him this week, but he had been missing for a couple weeks beforehand and I think he's actually been dead all this time. There was no way to tell how or exactly when he died because of the state he was in. He was perfectly well the last time I saw him, so this came as a complete surprise.

Since I found him, I've been feeling really bad about it; there is no sense of closure, as there is when you have a funeral for someone you love. But this weekend I suddenly remembered that my friend Steve Hoffman has a "virtual pet cemetary" online where you can memorialize your pet when they've died. So I sent him a memorial for Freak, and he posted there with a picture of Freak and my dad.

And somehow, as strange as it seems, this little ritual made me feel better. Rest in peace, Freak, I'll miss you.