Happy Friday, everybody.
I had intended this page to be more than two panels, but life took a sad, yet expected turn. Last Friday we lost our beloved cat, Lucky. He was sixteen years old and in failing health. Kathy and I knew it was only a matter of time, but his death still hit us hard.
Lucky came into our lives in February of 2008 in a most dramatic way. He was a stray in our neighborhood and we would see him occasionally for about two months. One day, my wife called me at work, frantically saying she saw the cat with an arrow through his head. It took us, with the aid of some neighbors and the city police, two weeks to finally capture the poor boy. A local vet successfully removed the arrow, and Lucky then made a full recovery. The vet said the cold weather probably saved Lucky’s life. Had it been warm, infection would probably have set in. The only lasting effects of the horrific wound was a bit of an “Elvis” sneer, and Lucky’s right eye rolling up whenever he yawned. I think it gave him character.
Things will be different around our house without Lucky. He was well liked by the neighbors, and he always graced us with his presence at cookouts and family gatherings. In cold weather, Lucky would spend the night sleeping between my wife and I in bed. In warm weather, he would nap next to A/C vents in our house. He knew all the comfortable places to sleep. It will take some time to getting used to Lucky’s absence. Pet owners will understand how strong the bond of love can be for our furry companions. Lucky was part of the family. He will be missed.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend. As always, thank you for reading Danielle Dark.
Top Web Comics
I’m so sorry for your loss. And whomever did that to Lucky in the first place was just awful. I’m glad he was able to grace your lives for so long considering that beginning.
As to the page, I had the impression that Dani’s niece suspected her true nature… not sure where I got that impression… She sure doesn’t seem aware of it by her reaction on this page.
Darwin: Thanks for your kind words. We never found out who shot Lucky with the arrow, so we’ll never know if it was deliberate or an accident.
Lizzy has psychic abilities, but they aren’t always completely accurate. She has always known Danielle is a vampire, but as a child, she doesn’t fully understand what that means. She has just now come face to face with that reality, and she is terrified by what she sees.
Sounds like Lucky lived up to his name and had a good run of it. Losing a family member is hard so take care of yourself.
In regards to Lizzy, knowing and understanding are two very different things.
I am sorry about your loss of Lucky. I have had a lot of animal friends over the years and miss them all.
@ sundragon: I was trying to find a good way to express exactly what you said about Lizzy. I can’t think of a better way to put it than you did. Thank you.
When we moved to Greenwood, we brought with us a pair of cat sisters.
We got them as kittens years before. They have both died over the last
eleven years and each have their own flower bed in the back yard.
Yes, I understand and sympathize.
sundragon: sundragon: Lucky was, indeed, lucky. The vet said the arrow narrowly missed being a fatal wound. It’s still hard to believe he is gone.
Lizzy now knows what a vampire does, but this was a brutally graphic way to find out.
gamachinist: Thank you for your sympathetic words. Like you, I miss all the cats and dogs we have had over the years. Each was special in their own way.
I agree that sundragon summed up Lizzy’s experience so well.
Curtis: Thank you for your words of support. Only people who have opened their hearts and homes to animals understand to pain felt when they depart this world. My wife said she has some ideas of what she wants to do to Lucky’s grave. Kathy hasn’t told me her ideas yet, but I know they will be nice.