DarqByte

Farewell, old friend. Knowing you these past 6 1/2 years has been a blast. With all of the ups and downs, I’m glad to be able to say that I grew to know you and to love you.

I first met you in the fall of 2002. You were a spritely 14 then, skinny as can be and about as cranky as an old timer could be. You liked to sleep all day, voice your concern when you weren’t getting enough attention, and you wouldn’t use the proper receptacle to relieve yourself if you felt it wasn’t clean enough.

Throughout the last 6 1/2 years, you didn’t really change much. You always loved attention, loved gourmet food and wanted to sleep right on top of your loved ones to be as close to them as possible. You even had a small jealous streak going — you just couldn’t let anybody be closer to your prized loved one than you.

I feel that you grew to love me. I certainly grew to love you. Despite your laundry list of shortfalls, you grew near and dear to me. Your puke on the carpet didn’t matter. Your upset stomach in the closet didn’t matter. Your aforementioned bathroom-going adventures, yes, didn’t matter either. Neither did your penchant for showing affection in ways that could cause physical pain. Your incessant chattiness until about a week ago.

Right through to the end, you were yourself and nobody else. Nobody could tell you to do something or make you do something. You wanted life your way and your way only. It was your way or the highway.

You will be remembered for being a great, great member of our family. Always laying around, being lovable, and just in general, brightening our days. It didn’t matter how bad of a day I might have had. When I came home, all you wanted was to spend time with me. You just wanted to hang out and soak up the loving.

You were also pretty outgoing too. I wouldn’t be stretching the truth if I said you loved to meet new people. You would always saunter right up to them and strike up a conversation, wanting to hang out and make new friends. You even warmed up to two new family members that I’m damn sure you felt threatened by early-on. You just got along with people.

You’ve had to move three summers in a row. That couldn’t have been easy on you, but you weathered the storm and never lost your cool. Be it Castle Rock Court, Maryland Parkway, San Rossore Court or Aspen Shadow Street, a home didn’t feel like a home unless you were there. Unless you laid one of your famous stamps on it. Unless Damian would come by and remark he knew you lived there by the state of things.

Yes, old friend. These 6 1/2 years have been great for you and I. A wonderful time of friendship, family and love. While I must move on without you, I shall never forget you. While I will spend time with the family that you left behind, you will remain family forever. Good luck, wherever you may be. Know that I love you dearly.

I’ll miss your meows, Dusty Ludwick. R.I.P November 26, 2008.