Ever since they stopped at the farm that day to get some eggs, Cathy couldnt get that kitten off of her mind. Her mom thought she might have to sedate her just to go home that day. Cathy fell in love with the orange and white one. It ran right up to her as if it was waiting for her to show up. Mom said she would think about it, Cathys birthday that was coming up in a week.

So after a week of daily pleading and the requisite promise that she would take care of it Cathy and her Mom went back to the farm to pick up the kitten. Cathy and Kitty became like conjoined twins. Cathy and Kitty shared every activity, although Mom had to step in when Cathy wanted to take Kitty in the tub with her. Mom thought Kitty should have a name, so she named it Sasha. But to Cathy, Kitty is Kitty.

Cathy would giggle hysterically at all of kittys typical kitten antics. The fight with the kitten in the mirror, the spot on the wall, the twist tie that fell on the floor. Kitty would sit on Cathys lap to be pet until she got sleepy. Then she would climb up and sleep under Cathys chin.

Out in the yard a whole new world was waited. Kitty attacked the flowers, batted at bugs and crawled over and under everything. Cathy thought some milk was in order, so she went to the kitchen to fetch a saucer full. As she came out the door a giant bird dropped from the sky. It grabbed kitty, and with a few beats of its wings the Red Tail hawk took off toward the tree line with Kitty mewing in protest." KITTY", screamed Cathy. She ran toward the tree line," KITTY". Now she turned and ran to the house, burst through the door and ran to her moms office." MOM, a big bird took kitty, we have to save her". "What", mom said with a confused look." A Bird took Kitty, COME ON", and she grabbed her moms hand and dragged her outside.

"Where did they go"." That way", said Cathy pointing at the woods." Come on we have to save her", Cathy was pulling her moms arm as hard as she could.

Neither the kitten or the Red Tail was anywhere in sight. Mom said," I...I think Kitty is gone"

"NO, WE HAVE TO SAVE HER" and Cathy pulled again on moms arm.

Mom didnt know what to say," I think, I think kitty went to heaven". It was the best she could do.

"NO, we have to save her". Now Cathys knees bent and she was as much hanging on, as pulling her moms arm." Honey, theres nothing I can do, kitty is gone". It killed her to say it, she was always there for Cathy but now she let her down.

"We have to save her she said meekly", and Cathy ran into the house and threw herself onto her bed. Mom went back to the door to Cathys room and looked in at her sobbing into her pillow. Suddenly she started to choke up and she hurried back out side. She stood there, and held back the urge to cry. What could she do, what do you say? The kitten was supposed to be the birthday gift, not a life lesson. Seven years old is to young to learn one of lifes harshest lessons. Sometimes without warning, and with no good explanation, the thing we love the most can just disappear forever

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