Mr. Phoenix

i'm usually a dog person
but when i returned to Austin after ten years
i met JD
who offered me a place to crash
while his roommate Karen was out of town

one condition was that i
tend to the needs of Karen's old timer of a cat
Mr. Phoenix
change his litter box
fill his water and food
things JD didn't want to do

JD had two cats of his own that stayed upstairs in his room
but he didn't care much for Mr. Phoenix

"he's too old
she needs to just put him down"

i disagreed

JD was a good friend to have welcomed me back to Austin
but so was Mr. Phoenix
as he cuddled next to me in Karen's bed
each night

he was in his last days
and because of that
helped to remind me of how short life is for all of us
and how important-friendships are
the true milestones in what little days we have

not ceremonies and accomplishments
but the value we are able to find in each other
every fellow of this planet
regardless of age
race
gender
creed
nationality
or even species

man
dog
and cat alike
none of us are here for long
so it is important that we remember to
cherish what we share