I learned the other day that I lost a friend. I didn’t know him very long, but still I came to love him.

Whenever I went to his home he would always be there to greet me. He would look at me with his big green eyes and he would speak in a soft voice. Some times it was hard for me to understand what he was saying, but all I had to do was look at him and I knew what he way saying.

He was sort of unkempt; his hair was always a mess. There was a time however when it was smooth and shinny.

He didn’t ask for much, but he gave a lot of pleasure and love. I would laugh when he would sit in the chair next to me trying to get his head under my arm so he could lick my hand. That was his way of giving you a kiss.

My friend is gone now, but I shall never forget him. His name was Blackie. Some people called him a cat, but I called him my friend. I miss him. Don