Hi Simon,

I just wanted to say

I'm sorry I got mad at you all the time and said I was tired of having cats. You were just overly affectionate and it can be annoying to be trying to play a game, and have you plop down on my lap looking for belly rubs right when I'm in the middle of some kind of climatic event.

I'm sorry I didn't love you up as much as the bear.

I'm sorry I didn't fix the back door so it would close properly. In my defense, it turns out it's so broken now that it won't close even after it's fixed. Anyway, I'm sorry it allowed that big, asshat of a stray cat to get into our house, and attack you and bear.

I'm sorry your Mom and I lingered at my parents for just a bit too long and missed that whole show.

I'm sorry we never let you out before. Maybe you'd know what to do if you weren't such an inside cat.

I'm really sorry I couldn't find you. I looked EVERYWHERE little bud, but you're just such a quick kitty and such a good hider than I just couldn't find you. Sure annoyed all the neighbours around though, chasing paw prints through their backyards and under their sheds.

I hope that Lisa is right and you'll come back, even though I know she isn't. You aren't clever enough to find your way home from too far away, and no matter which prints were yours, it took me six hours to follow them all, and they all went really, really far away.

I hope if you are ok right now, that you know to find somewhere warm and stay hidden when it gets darker out. I hope that you can stop yourself from being such a loving, friendly little guy when you hear the coyotes in the ravine calling tonight.

I hope you feel safe and excited about this new adventure, and not scared and alone, and that if you die, you just go to sleep knowing that you were and are part of my little family, and that we all love you and miss you. I've never had a pet I've loved as much as I love you and Bear.

It's too cold for me to wait outside for you anymore, so if you do come back, please meow and make your Simon noises. My window is open, and Little Bear has been sitting by the back door ever since you left. One of us will hear you and let you in, I promise.

If you don't, then I am really, really sorry. I was supposed to look after you and take care of you and make sure you have a happy, love-filled life, and I failed you horribly.

Steve