One day we were went to Walmart, and as we were leaving, a little girl was standing outside the front doors with a cardboard box full of tiny black kittens. I Immediately asked for one, and she asked me if I wanted a girl or a boy. I asked for a boy and she handed me my friend. I was in love. As I walked to our car, my husband was incredulous and angry. We had never had a pet before, our kids were 4,6 and 14. I never hesitated. I dashed into the pet store, bought some stuff and took him home. The kids were delighted and surprised I had made such a decision with so little hesitation. My husband was still angry. We took him to the vet and that didn't go down well with him either. I worried about my allergies but he was never a snuggly cat and I seemed ok. We laughed at his little ways and respected his preference to be loved from afar. When he was in the mood, he would sit and watch tv with us, sometimes rolling onto his back with all four paws in the air for a nap. He was an outdoor cat. I didn't know this was dangerous. He came home one day with a fight wound. After having him spayed, we never took him to the vet except for that one time to have his wound cared for. He wouldn't let us hold him long enough or even get into the carrier so we never bothered. But this was serious so we bundled him up so we wouldn't get scratched and took him in. What a commotion. He screamed and growled and even the vet had to sedate him to treat him. Well, we never took him again untl he started getting sick at 14. He had a urinary blockage. We had a bad scare but after catherter treatments he recovered, but not until they told us he had FLV. I think he might have contracted it when he was wounded. He recovered after treatment and medication, but was never really himself again. After a few months he developed an absess in his teeth. He was again treated but a few weeks later became listless, stopped eating and we discovered the lukemia was active. He was suffering and I could see in his eyes he was not happy. We let him go to the rainbow bridge and I wanted to go with him as I watched his eyes slowly close. He was so connected to me. I have to say that my husband grew to love him, and agreed to spend thousands in the hopes of healing him, even when it was hopeless. He cried openly as we left the vets. Hakim, I just want to press my face into your beautiful fur and listen to your purring. I want to look into your gorgeous eyes at night and see them shine. I want to tell you all my secrets and watch your ears swivel around. He communicatewd with me more that anyone ever has. Two years we built a deck onto our patio and he loved to sit on the top step and survey the yard. At night, he would dash around the house, flipping open the shutters, peering into the windows to guard over his territory. I love him so much. I miss him so much.

Hakim, you were my best friend. Thank you for bringing your love to me.