A prayer of thanksgiving for a beloved little friend

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Dear God,

My husband Pete and I are heartbroken! Last night we had to say good-bye to our sweet, ornery and lovable Champaign Le Chat.

I firmly believe animals are one of your greatest gifts to us, God, and I thank you for every day of the nearly 17 years this furry little friend and constant companion graced our lives.

When we first encountered our sweet Champ, the very beautiful and very frightened little domestic longhair, with fur the color of champagne, was hiding under a chair at an Animal Protective League shelter.

My husband Pete and I were already planning to adopt Champie’s brother, Olaf DaVinci, who insisted on coming home with us. And I do mean insisted. Oley was crawling into both our laps and giving us persistent head-butts. When we told the shelter staff we wanted Oley, they told us, “He has a friend.”

They then introduced us to Champaign, who spent most of his time hiding under the above-mentioned chair to avoid being bullied by other cats. Little Champie trembled as I reached under the chair to pet him, but when I stroked his fur, he leaned into my hand, as if drinking in the affection. There was no way, however, that he planned to come out from his hiding place.

Champie and Oley had formed a tight bond at the shelter and the staff said it would be really nice if they could be adopted together. So home we went, with two long-haired tomcats. We never regretted that decision, despite a lot of shedding. That was in 2006, and they were inseparable right up until Oley’s passing two years ago.

We had reason to believe Champie had been abused in a previous home and it took time and lots of love to heal his fear of people. But, as we would discover, love wins. Every time.

For the first two weeks after we brought him home, Champ hid in the basement, only coming up to eat when Pete and I were gone. Fortunately, Oley cheerfully served as his guardian angel. The two liked to hang out together, and they loved to chase each other around the house while yowling loudly – especially at 3 a.m.

Slowly but surely, Champie finally came out of his shell. And when he did, he became quite the little character. Here he sat, on his throne, the king of all he surveyed.

There’s nothing like being ignored by a cat, but he let us know we’d better not ignore him! This little guy would actually hiss at us to let us know we needed to pet him. Sometimes in the morning when I was getting dressed, he would walk up to me, hiss at me, and then immediately hop up on the bed and rub up against me, clamoring for attention. Too funny!

He had a talent for finding the sunniest spots in the house. Here he was, rolling over and playing cute, as he basked in a shaft of light in the sunroom.

Le Champster made it known that a cat bed was whatever he decided it should be. (Cat beds purchased specifically for that purpose from Chewy? Boring!)

He loved to turn pillows into cat beds. This is one of my favorite photos – I like to call it “the Prince and the Pea.”

Speaking of cat beds, people clothes were the absolute best. He may have had the whole bed to snooze on here, but Pete’s clothes proved too irresistible.

In the early days, he often liked to station himself in my office as well, and did a superb job of monitoring me while I sat at my computer. Also, note where he’s sitting in relation to the sunny spot on the table.

Champaign was never a “lap cat,” even after deciding that Pete and I were safe. The few times I tried putting him on my lap, he scrambled back off as quickly as he could.

But he did enjoy snuggling next to Pete and me in the evenings, and we got to take turns cuddling him. The former little scaredy-cat loved the attention. It’s like he was making up for lost time.

One of his favorite snuggle-time activities was “helping” me read. He curled up next to me most nights while I was reading myself to sleep, and sometimes in the afternoon during nap time.

Our little Champie was such a source of comfort to Pete and I, as we walked through our harrowing medical journey in 2023, that we took to calling him our furry little comforter. He kept Pete company and rubbed noses with him as Pete was recuperating from his surgery and multiple hospital stays. He cuddled up with me on those lonely nights when Pete was in the hospital and I had to sleep alone at home.

Even at the ripe old age of 18, he continued to be his sweet, ornery, adorable little self.

The Bible in several places talks about animals on the other side of eternity – lions lying down with lambs, cows and bears grazing together and children safely playing with all of them. I just know that both Champie and Oley are there right now, clamoring for Jesus to pet them.

God, I will always be grateful for the wonderful gift you gave us when you blessed us with our beautiful little Champaign Le Chat. Today, just two days shy of Thanksgiving, as I try through my tears to count my blessings, I certainly count this magnificent little creature to be one of those blessings.

With love and gratitude,

53 thoughts on “A prayer of thanksgiving for a beloved little friend”

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  6. You never stop missing them. I understand how hard it is to lose the sweet energy that made life so much better. They are actually part of the Angelic realm; their hearts are so pure. I go around petting other’s animals now for my fuzzy love. There is nothing like it.

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  12.  I am so beyond sorry for your loss. Our fur-babies are so much a part of our families as those who are human. May he be at peace and perhaps, he’s found his life-long companion, Olaf DaVinci. I’m sure the two of them will be pouncing around and stirring up some ruckus in kitty heaven. Rest in peace Champaign Le Chat. I know your mama Debi Sue and your papa Pete have hurting hearts because they loved you so much.

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  13. This post really was so eloquently written, and also written with such heart. I remember when I got Speckles. She was very scared and skittish and did not present well at the pet adoptions. Once she knew I was her forever home, she really blossomed and came out of her shell and I felt like I hit the jackpot. Champie was such a special kitty, and I know he not only thrived, but was also deeply loved and cared for when he was with you both. My deepest condolences to you and Pete. 🙏🏽❤️🐈🐾🌈

    Love,

    Reshoma (Shoma Bee)

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  15. Thank you Debi Sue for sharing. I am so sorry for your loss. You have done a great job here memorializing the little one. These are great pictures and I am sure wonderful memories for both of you. I also appreciate the idea of our little ones living on. I was given a book many years ago in remembrance of a lost pet (the greatest Dog who ever lived) entitled “Dog Heaven.” Though obviously whimsical, it nevertheless makes a good case that our pets live on. Blessings to you

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  16. I’m so sorry you lost your precious furry companion. Dedicating a post to Champaign Le Chat (love the name!) is a wonderful way to honor your four-legged family member. The pictures you included show what an adorable cat she was. Thank you for sharing her story, Debi Sue. I hope you feel better soon.

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  19. I just had to put down my sleeping buddy and it has taken me two months to stop crying so I know your loss

    To me, next to Jesus, animal friends are Gods greatest gift to us. Joseph- Anthony a son of Jehovah

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  24. I feel certain your precious post will be read in “Cat Paradise” with all the kitties meowing and shouting: “What a Champ!” in cat-language.

    Your writing is such an adorable, heartwarming tribute to your beloved, very beautiful pet. Your story truly is a wonderful testimony that love never fails.

    🙏for you and Pete that you’ll feel our Lord’s loving arms holding and comforting you,
    ❤️Michele

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