In Memory Of Niki (Persian)

My very first cat after moving away from home was the sweetest little girl you could ever ask for. The little six year old girl next door, Nicole, used to constantly bring over assorted animals that needed a home. I always told her no because I really didn't want the responsibility at the time, but when Nicole brought over this fluffy little Persian with huge copper eyes and told me this kitty was certainly the one for me, well, my heart simply melted! Can you guess how Niki the Persian got her name? LOL ;-)

Niki was the most quiet, shy and loving cat who was afraid of almost everything and everyone. For years people thought I was fibbing about even having a cat because as soon as someone knocked on the door she would run for the bedroom. Her very favorite hiding place was inside the pillow case; in between the pillow and case ;-)

Her favorite game was playing fetch with a knitting needle of all things! I would throw the needle across the room and she would drag it back by the handle end time after time until she was just plain tuckered out.

Niki was so quiet and unassuming that eventually I put three little bells on her collar so I could hear her when she was walking around and know where she was. Oh, and Niki never did figure out how to meow! I still have her very last collar with those bells on it in my memory box.

One thing that surprised me the most about Niki, because she was so afraid of everything, is that she loved to ride in the car! I'll never forget a long distance road trip from Los Angeles to Seattle. It was just she and I in my '74 Dodge Dart (the Deeli Mobile) in the middle of the night and the moon was full. We were on Interstate 5 going through the mountain pass in Oregon when I looked in the rear view mirror and there she sat on the rear dash board looking out at where we had come from and lit up from that full moon. It was a beautiful sight and one of my favorite memories of her!

One of the worst days of my life was when I had to have Niki put to sleep because she had complete liver failure at the age of fifteen. I will always feel guilty that I selfishly waited one more day because I just wanted to cuddle with her one more night and feel her little kisses on my cheek with her little paws wrapped around my neck. I pray in waiting one more day that she didn't suffer unduly.

I could go on and on forever about Niki but I've rambled enough. One last thing I'll share is a short little poem I wrote about her when she was only about two years old.

Niki Nickers
What a pleasure you are
Your soft fur
Your gentle touch
And those rough little licks
That means so much

By Deeli from Richland, WA