SOLON, Ohio -- Smokey was our daughter’s cat. He had the softest fur, and he liked to be cradled like a baby.
He resembled the Chessie cat, the symbol of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway.
At her bedtime, our daughter would call, “Smokey!” and Smokey would come and sleep on her bed with her.
When our daughter went off to college, I would call “Smokey!” and Smokey would come and sleep on the bed I slept in at my feet. As Smokey got older, I put a step stool at the end of the bed so that he could get into the bed more easily.
Smokey succumbed to diabetes at the age of 19.
We have had other cats, but Smokey was special.
Winifred Stone,
Solon
Do you share your life with an animal that is near and dear to you? Tell us something about your pet - all species are welcome - and send along a photo of the two of you. Be sure to tell us which Greater Cleveland community you live in. Send everything to Ann Norman at anorman@cleveland.com.