Today, we lost our sweet kitty, Akira, “Aki.” He suffered a sever seizure and he stayed overnight at the Emegency Animal Clinic in Lewiston. We got a call at 5 this morning that Aki had gone into cardiac arrest and that they were not able to revive him with CPR.

We adopted him as a kitten only 4 years ago from the Harvest Hills Animal Shelter in Fryeburg, Maine. I adopted him along with our other kitty, Zelda Bella Luna, “Bella” and surprised Adam with the new kitties on his 24th birthday. He as working 2nd shift at Fairchild Semiconductor and came home to meet his new little felines and was very surprised!

Aki has always been a high energy, fun loving kitty. For the first couple of years it wasn’t unusual to come home and find him dangling from the tops of window curtains! He and Bella loved running through the house late at night after the humanoids were fast asleep, creating mischief and mayhem. I know Bella will miss him sorely, as she adjusts to being the only kitty in the house now.

It is hard to accept loss. It’s hard to imagine that the kitty that’s been with us through so many transitions won’t be here to see us through anymore in the future.

At a time when it’s so easy to focus on all the things we could have done better for our friend, I also try to remember the wonderful things we did for him to create a comfortable, happy life for him. Both he and Bella are indoor cats, but Aki was a natural hunter and loved the outdoors. People thought we were crazy, but we bought collars and leashes for the kitties and in warmer months we would take them outside for walks.

When Adam started working from home a year and a half ago, Aki was in kitty bliss. He became Adam’s work buddy and would sit, curled up Adam’s lap or on his desk for hours at a time. I think this loss will be hardest for Adam, who has lost not only his kitty, but his working companion.

There is an intense void that rips through our hearts and minds. We are left feeling a little lost and confused, and very sad. Aki has been a part of our life and our family and now we will no longer hear him running through the house, feel him brushing up against us for comfort, or see him lying in front of a sunny window, basking in the sun’s rays. The photos and memories will, of course, remind us of the way he filled our lives with the simple love that only animals can bring. He will be missed and remembered.

Akira “Aki” 2004-2009

Video of Aki, taken a couple months ago: