Eighty Eight

I met Eighty Eight when she came into my clinic as a feral kitten. Her eyes had not developed properly, or she had acquired a bad eye infection, so she had no vision. I spayed her and removed what was left of her eyes. It was a Friday, and the shelter did not have time to get a foster. So….I took her home for the weekend. We had recently lost our beloved Tigger, and our cat Neo was very depressed missing his companion. I brought this little kitten home to recover from surgery, and he took to her immediately. She kept Neo going for another 1.5 years.

After my grandfather died, my grandmother came to live in Tucson. She took to sweet Eighty Eight and asked if she could come live with her at her new apartment. They had a very special bond. When Grandma was moved to assisted living, Eighty Eight came back home to us. Grandma died last July and I know Eighty Eight missed Grandma.

Eighty Eight passed away unexpectedly May 20th. I miss her terribly but know that she is with Grandma again.

In case you are wondering, Eighty Eight was named by one of my co-workers, Holly. After Dale Earnhart Jr. car number, 88. I am a huge Dale Jr. fan and Dale didn’t seem to fit for a name.

Although Eight Eight had no eyes, she could track a ball and chase it, run up and down her cat tower in a flash and loved to sit in front of the screen door and listen to the birds. My Grandma often said, are you sure she doesn’t have any eyes? Because she knows exactly where her treats are. I would reply, no grandma she doesn’t have eyes, but her other senses are heightened, and she has adapted to no vision. She was a true wonder to watch, and she was the best snuggle bug.

Give Grandma my love sweet girl, until I see you both again.