We put our cat to sleep today. The vet and her assistant arrived at our home and gave the shot while Eames was napping on his favorite blanket on my bed. I can only hope that the experience wasn’t stressful for him, more like recessing into a deep sleep. I didn’t cry, although I came close when we swaddled his body in his favorite pillow case and buried him in the back yard, in a grassy area dotted with California poppies and bachelor's buttons every Spring. He loved taking walks in the backyard (on a leash). I thought about the happiness he gave us, and how he used to take these hilarious high speed sprints across the house whenever we came home, slipping and sliding across the wood floors. Eames was a special, warm and easygoing cat and he’ll always occupy a cherished place in my and Christopher’s hearts. To anyone who has a pet cat or dog — give it a hug for me.