AMBER'S PAGE

In 1991 a female ginger kitten came into my life. She had the loudest purr I have ever heard but hardly spoke a word. Pete cat was nearly eight years old and very jealous of Amber but when he was hit by a car and was recuperating she brought a live bird into his bed to cheer him up. She was only eight months old at the time and it was the only bird she ever caught and of course it was released immediately.

Amber was a visitor and went to see everyone in the neighbourhood. One night I came home very late and she and several of her cat friends were sitting on the front fence having a meeting. She died just short of two years of age. The day she died she wanted to sit with me but I didn't make time for her as I had other things to do so she went outside. Oh how I regretted that decision as it was the last time I saw her. I missed her so much and cried many a time for her.

In the early hours of Melbourne Cup Day in 1993 I dreamed of Amber and felt her very near. About five weeks later I was visiting a casual friend and when I arrived a kitten, from the house next door to hers, had gone missing and I was asked to help in the search. Eventually, the kitten was found behind the fridge. Four of the five kittens were going to the pet shop the next week. (The family were keeping the only female kitten.) I wanted a female kitten so I wasn't really interested but my friend said how nice natured the ginger male was (the one that had been missing and the only pure ginger kitten). Somehow I left with the kitten wondering, all the way home, how it had happened. Over the next week it struck me how like Amber this kitten was. I was even thinking about calling him Amber II but thought he really should have his own name. Eventually the kitten just became Amber. Many months passed and I saw the friend quite by chance. She asked about the kitten and I asked if she knew when it was born. In the early hours of Cup Day she answered.

This time Amber stayed for four years and a few months and left on the 5th of April 1998. Amber is buried in the garden under a rose bush not far from Pete. The photo above is of the second Amber and the poem is about her leaving the first time. I had no regrets this time around as I enjoyed every moment of Amber's second life. Amber sat with me for many hours when Pete was dying of cancer at age 14. Pete didn't want to eat anymore and one time we all watched while the local possum ate all his cat biscuits. Amber brought back the body of Cinnamon the finch, after she accidently escaped from her cage and was killed by wild birds, and laid it at the bottom of my bed so she could be buried in the garden. This time, Amber was never far away from me and I am very grateful I was given a second chance to be with this very special cat.

Amber taught me to make time for our pets and I can tell you if you do the rewards are great.

Irene M Fullarton.

AMBER

Sometimes there comes into one's life

Someone who is the essence of love,

Who knows when there is trouble around

As if guided by someone above.

And so it was with Amber,

More than just a pet She was a friend - a confidante

From that day when you met.

In just two years she showed you

More love than you had thought

Was possible from this haughty puss

On the day that she was bought.

Throughout that time she hardly spoke

Her whisper was unique

But she will be remembered more

Than that she couldn't speak.

She lost half her fur when she was young

Though she never ever complained

But it grew back and through it all

Her radiance and charm remained.

Just sleeping on your bed at night

Or curled up on your knee

She was a cat whose love was strong

And will remain, though she's now free.

© Bruce Fullarton, 22nd March, 1993.