MERIDIAN —     This has been a trying week for the McKee family. You see we said goodbye to our favorite grandcat, Harley. Harley, a flat-faced red Persian lived to the grand age of 14 years plus a couple of months. Oh, I know – he was just a cat, some might say, but we considered him a member of the family. He will be missed. Today I offer a tribute to Harley.

    Harley lived in my household the first year of his life. It was hard to give him up when number two son married, but Harley moved to his new home and lived a charmed life with his momma and daddy. I did maintain visiting privileges. Below is a piece written all about Harley. I hope you enjoy the read.

Just a knot away from purr-fection (first written, April 2008)

    I have a Grandcat and his name is Harley.  Believe me when I say he is just a knot away from purr-fection.   Here is Harley’s story.  This is too good to be made-up, so get comfortable and I’ll tell you all about him.

    Harley is a red Persian with almond eyes - a little flat-faced fuzzy one with a real low scratchy meow.  He and his sisters were part of a prestigious cat show at Mississippi State University several years back.  Now all of you of the Oxford or Hattiesburg persuasion need not hold that against little Harley; after all, he’s not a Bulldog!                                                                                                       

    He was just an innocent babe at the mercy of his then show cat owner.  That was until my 6 foot 5 inch policeman son fell in love with him. My son tells the story of viewing the kitties on display, and there were many gorgeous cats that day, but somehow little Harley was the star of the show. There he was in total control as he strutted his stuff -- rolling and tumbling, blinking those big almond eyes and meowing out with his signature gruff baritone. His little sisters just sat back and let him receive all of the attention.  He seemed to be used to the star status and carried it off seemingly perfect.

    Finally my son inquired about this little Mr. Personality – I think the question was, “Is he for sale?”  The owner answered in the positive and a deal was struck.  Actually the selling price was much lower than expected. Not to question a gift horse in the mouth, so to say (sorry Harley!), my son then took the chance as to inquire the reason of the lower price for this little bundle of red fur when compared to the selling price of his sisters.  The answer was a knot in his tail! Yes! It seemed that this little handsome kitty could never be shown or be a competitive show cat because he was not perfect, flawed only by a knot in his tail! Oh, and please don’t breathe a word of this of which I’ve confided to you. You see, Harley still thinks he’s perfect!

    So little Harley became a member of the McKee household and that was nearly 10 years ago, and what a perfect little kitty he has been – that is, perfect to the McKee’s.

    It came a time that my son was married and little Harley moved to the newlywed’s household.  I can remember distinctly my sorrowful plight to lose this little almond-eyed bundle of joy as I searched and searched for a good reason for him to continue to live at my home as my Grandcat, but I knew he really belonged with his dad and new mom, so off he went. However, I didn’t give up easily.  I actually remember sobbing the words, “I just can’t live without Harley!” But I did. However, I was allowed visitation and every other Christmas.

    Now to the good news - parents, grandparents, as you know, sometimes, just sometimes those loved ones, those family members who move away, move back into your household.  Oh happy day -- little Harley is back!  And yes, he still has that knot in his tail.  I just like to say, “We paid extra for that knot!” Not just any ole kitty cat can brag about this privilege, this claim to fame.  Perfect, no, maybe not in the competitive world, but purr-fect! Yes, this Grandcat invented purr-fection ten years ago when he won our hearts and we made him our own.

    I suppose we all could use the moral of this true knot in the tail story.  We all have a knot somewhere in our lives.  It’s what we do with the knot that matters. So as I once again enjoy the charm and companionship of my little purr-fect one, I challenge myself to make my own knots more perfect.  You know, I did pay extra for them somewhere along the way, and I can work them out – yes, only a knot away from purr-fection, that’s close enough for Harley and me!

    Today is the last chapter in Harley’s earthly life book, I suppose. We do have those loving and great memories of the little fuzzy one – precious time with a sweet pet. I am certain that this morning Harley is seated in St Peter’s lap near the Pearly Gates. Yes, he is purring his signature, one-of-a-kind giant purr. Uh-huh, and best of all – there is NO KNOT in his tail!

 

    Anne B. McKee is an author and storyteller. She lives in Meridian. Visit her website at www.annemckee.net.