He flies through the air, with the greatest of fleas, that daring young cat in his stripey jammies

All our pets have their special songs, but Badger has the most. First a song praising how his lithe kitten body walked a favorite handrail. Then the “Tuna Juice” song to lure his finicky adult self to dinner. Later, “Badger Needs His Medicine” a twice-daily ditty heralded his methimazole ministrations. After he became deaf, gentle, rhythmic pats of air behind his ears gave him a tune he could feel rather than hear. Badger died last week in his twentieth year. Just me and him and the “Puff Puff” song telling him he’d been a beautiful, brave boy worth singing about.

Inspired by Words of Wisdom. Photo, “Fishing for Cat Porn,” by Laurie.