Samwise Hines-Tone

You came to me as this sweet blonde baby. Tinier than the palm of my hand, but as playful as a cub. You'd outstretched your paw and it'd be the length of my pinky finger. You've always loved tassels and feathers, guess in another life you could've been a burlesque showgirl. You never had much of a voice, but sometimes, when worked up enough you'd have the most craggily, boisterous voices erupt from inside you. In the college house, you'd explore every nook and cranny as your big brother followed behind, maneuvering alongside the warmth of his protection that hovered over you. You loved to play on your own accord; wrestling across wooden floors, trampling over rugs and climbing outposts to watch over us. The zip of blonde fur always found its way into my dustpan each day. Your coat would shine over in the sunbeam through the half slats of the window shutters. The trace of your paw prints in the duvet cover. And your body's heat sprawled above my head during morning rises. Golden eyes staring back into mine, wondering what each and every day would entail. How much you'd grow, how your fur become coarse and have thickened, and the blonde streaks that'd darken into an orange hue. You'd always had a gentle face, even when you'd grown into a young adult, I still imagined that once tiny puffball in my hands. Many things had changed for good. You called it quits with blankets, preferred any protein other than chicken, and strangely never liked treats from the start. You've mended a quiet bond with your brother, almost as if you'd outgrown him, but on occasion we'd catch you two in play mode as if you'd traveled back in time to the old house. You'd always been a peculiar cat, testing out all your quirks at once and on anyone who passed through our lives.

Samwise, you were the sweetest furry companion any owner could've asked for. Many of the qualities I cherished about you were things I couldn't deem in myself. You'd always had a trusting wit to you, befriending any creature in your path, thinking the best of their intentions. Funnily enough, you didn't have much to say, but in your actions we knew exactly what you were telling us. Whether your food wasn't to your liking or if our throw blanket was tousled amongst the bedspread, you were reminding us that these mere accidents (on our part) disturbed your way of life. I admired your appreciation for the essentials, like water, where I'd make out the direction just as the wet prints would lead me. Or a bed, where you'd take leisurely to a whole new level of slothfulness. Even a slight air that breezed through the bottom of a door and the sunlight that basked down onto a rug where you'd be lounging upon. You were soft in more ways than one. You've always been a kind hearted kitty, and to that I've thought you might've graced your soul on this earth once or twice before. We've watched you grow into your prime and settle into this personality of yours. So for that, I'm glad to have had a paw in.

I look at you now and recognize that same twinkle in your eye. Even after these three long years, we've taken you from house to home, you've blossomed and overcome obstacles alongside us, your human companions. We don't want you to beat death, we want you to reach it peacefully. Right in the same place you came to me and your dad. We're so grateful to have had you as our cat, Samwise.

We'll always remember you and continue to think about you in years to come. Or even when we're old and grey, in our hearts where you've always radiated such bright light. You are timeless, and for that, we and Frodo adore you. I can't wait to meet you on the other side where the water never runs dry and ribbons are all the plenty.

May you go into the undying lands and soak in heavenly splendor.