I may as well tell you. People keep asking me how he is, and I hate to tell all of you individually, so I will tell you all at once. My old black cat is dead.

He must have been 20 years old -- and he had some trouble getting around, which is one reason I pampered him so.

It was his lucky day twelve years ago when he walked in and took over my house, I can tell you that. Who else would have changed that litter box after every use! (If I didn't, he used the floor.)

And who else would have put up with his maddening, indecisive behavior - wanting outside one minute and back in the next.

And if it got late, and I called him to get him in the house - he would come only when he got good and ready. And did you ever try to find a solid - black cat hiding in the shrubbery on a dark night? I would call from two feet away and he wouldn't say a word.

That cat could drive you crazy!

I sure do miss my old Goose.

He could be a chore, but he had the sweetest nature I've ever seen on a cat -- and I've had a lot of cats. Goose was just special.

He must have been -- judging from those vet bills!

But I didn't take him to the vet when I knew he was dying. The doc could have made his going easier, but Goose always hated leaving home, and I didn't want him to have to take that last trip.

He and I both would have known he wasn't coming back.

Don't tell anybody -- I think it's against the law -- but I buried him in my back yard.

And I'll tell you this -- I guess it's OK to tell you this -- I said a little prayer.

Listen, I don't have any idea what God does with dead cats, but I felt Goose deserved a prayer, and I said one. I gave thanks for all of God's sweet gifts -- the beauty and mystery of nature around us - and especially those pets that so enrich our lives.

You know -- the apostle Paul said that in Christ Jesus, all of creation is reconciled to God. You and I are part of that creation, of course, but so is every falling sparrow -- and so was Gooseberry.

I won't push the point, but I felt Goose was worth the prayer. And if my old cat did make it to heaven, I am relieved to think that he had to leave some of his habits behind.

I would pity the poor angel who pulled litter box duty on this one!