August 28, 2012:   It’s hard to believe
9 years have passed since Jasper died.
I brought him home from the Sedona
Humane Society on July 4th 1988. I’d been
volunteering every Sunday, taking each dog
for a walk, letting the cats out of their cages
for a romp and bathing any animal needing
a boost for higher "adoptability".

Jasper had the quarantine room to himself,
having been brought in the day before – full
of parasites and worms – hardly any fur on
him, and fitting into the palm of my hand,
with room to spare. The vet thought I was
nuts to choose a kitten that was so gravely
ill...but Jasper captured my heart.

It took months and many vet bills before he
fully recovered...a fighter, and a love-bug through it all.

Paul and I have always had cats – all
special; however, there’s never been one
like our ‘Jazz’. He was wild, gentle, feisty,
funny, ingenious, intuitive...typical ‘cat’
adjectives...but there was something
extra-special about him.

He was a soul-mate of mine. For those who
scoff at the idea that an animal can be one's
soul-mate, I offer words by Anatole France:
  "Until one has loved an animal,    
part of their soul remains unawakened."  

Even now, every so often, I still catch a
glimpse of him out of the corner of my eye.