Ziggy is gone but well loved, remembered

On Sept. 25, my beloved Ziggy disappeared. Many of you remember his story of being shot with a .22 in April of this year. He survived that trauma and healed completely from the 1-inch bone loss to his ulna. Doctors Moody and Nelson at Bonner Animal Hospital and all their staff took loving care of him through his recovery.

He climbed my trees to get a better look at birds and squirrels but never tried to catch them. Instead his gifts to me were worms from my garden — so sweet. He loved sitting under the grape arbor to rest or muse as cats may do.

His friendliness with other cats and dogs who came by was infectious. As with most cats, he was curious and gregarious. He loved to play with the neighbor cats and dogs and their owners enjoyed his visits. He loved cavorting in my veggie garden and perennials with my other cat and always showed his love and enthusiasm for life.

Now he is gone I know not where or how. Because of his past experience of being shot I can only assume he trespassed into that danger zone and met fatal harm. It is difficult to accept that such harm again would befall him living in South Sandpoint. There is always danger of being hit by a car but nothing more lethal. Many residents in my neighborhood on Superior Street have cats so we all are patient with them. Unwanted visits just require a scaring them away. After a couple of scram warnings I have found any errant animal visitors no longer come by. Trespass is not a death sentence.

I got to thinking about dog damage to try to ease my pain of losing Ziggy. Some dogs are incessant barkers for their own reasons. I have had to clip off dead shrub branches where dogs have peed on them. I have picked up dog poop where owners ignore their dog’s business. Still no death sentence.

Pets are important family members and are deeply loved for their companionship and devotion. Loss of a pet is emotionally devastating. My other cat is grieving also seeking her playmate.

Ziggy was not hit by a car. He is just gone perhaps by the same antagonism he experienced before. I may never know. I can only hold vigil for him, light orange and white candles to bless his splendid soul, and pray no other cats or dogs in my neighborhood disappear to leave a bereft and empty hole in the hearts of many who enjoy the company, love, and gifts pets bring to all they encounter.

I thank all of you who sent gifts for his recovery and blessings for his sweet life. He was 18 months old — a pure joy. He is greatly missed but will never be forgotten.

KRYSTLE SHAPIRO

South Sandpoint