Pet Memorials

BINKY

My sweet, faithful and loving feline companion of 17 years died Dec. 19, 2009, of chronic renal failure. Binky’s spirit has triumphed over the pain of his ailment, but his departure has left a hole in my life that is gaping and raw. His warmth and attention were a constant and peaceful presence in my sometimes hectic, worry-filled life. I miss him so very, very much.

From the time that I decided to bring Binky home with me from Hong Kong, where he had been rescued, I felt that we had a deep connection based on faithfulness and on trust. During his long life Binky taught me much, but during the last one and a half years of his life, when I was treating him for chronic renal failure, I learned more from him that I could have imagined possible about relationships and commitment. In fact, the more invested I became in helping him the more I needed him near me. During the last week of his life I rededicated myself to seeing him through his illness, and I could hardly stand being out of his sight.

When I traveled by car, I nearly always took him with me. Whether it was to the Bay Area to visit friends, to attend a weeklong summer fiddle camp on San Juan Ridge, to work a temporary ranger job in central California – wherever – he came with me. On the last long ride we took, from southern California (where we had driven so that I could volunteer for a natural preserve) back up north, he slept in my lap peacefully the entire distance. He loved me, and I loved him, unconditionally. We both felt an unparalleled comfort in each other’s presence.

Binky’s presence created warmth and companionship in an otherwise cold and empty motorhome. We were a team and we were a family. We faced the world as one. When it was blazing hot outside, we both sought comfort by splaying ourselves out on the cool floor, and in frigid winter weather, we curled up together under woolen blankets and comforted each other. I learned from Binky that this warmth and companionship added invaluable meaning and joy to my life.

Binky, I will never forget what you gave me, and I can only hope to be able to share a small fraction of this with others in my life. Goodbye sweet friend. I miss you more than my words can describe.

- Christian Hellwig

 

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