Skitters

2006 - 2020

On April 24 we had to say goodbye to my best friend. She really was the best. I bought her as a kitten when I got my first apartment in high school, I picked her out because while all the other kittens were sleeping, she had climbed like a monkey to the top of the cage to try and bite me. She moved with me more times than I can count. Through every challenge I’ve faced Skitters was always there for me. She had a silly tuxedo that looked like she had her buttons done up wrong. She had a fierce half handlebar moustache and a white tip in her tail that, properly trimmed, was the spitting image of a liquorice allsort. She loved Chef Boyardee, salt and vinegar chips, red twizzlers, and hair bleach. She was the best dinner table mooch. She survived falling off a 4th floor balcony. She had many friends both human and animal. Her best friend was Cow, they were thick as thieves for many years. I am heartbroken, but I am also so grateful to have had such a beautiful friend by my side for the last 14 years. Thank you to Dr. Degi and staff at the Downtown vet clinic for years of care, and to the compassionate staff at Victoria Animal Hospital for helping Skitters pass peacefully.

I can’t help but reflect on how challenging it was to say goodbye with a mask and gloves on due to COVID-19. I am so grateful to the staff who helped us gear up to allow us to say goodbye. The entire time I couldn’t stop thinking about all of the people who die without their families right now. All the staff who comfort those in their last moments. All the families left behind to grieve in private. I am truly grateful to all front line staff helping those we love in these uncertain times.