I am beyond destroyed this morning. Crying since yesterday. Stan was hit by a car and killed on Saturday. My neighbor found him and kept him in their shed, hoping there would be a sign so they could return him to his owner (they didn’t know he was ours). I honestly didn’t realize he was missing until Tuesday. He would sometimes wander away for a day or so. On Tuesday though I knew it had been too long. I put up signs and this woman’s daughter saw one. (Gotta love 12 year old girls…) Long story short, Peter went and got him and we buried him in our backyard last night. Hadley made a card to be buried with him and we all stood around his little grave. Atticus kept snuggling me like he knew. It was weird. I was/am crushed and have been bawling. Completely. I loved that fucking cat. I feel like it was the end of an era, you know? I got him when I was about 20. Before there was Team Provost, there was just me and Stan…

There is a part of me though that is relieved to know what happened and to know where he is. He is home with us. I credit Taylor for that. The woman who found him, Trish, said "I know you want to remember him how he was so my husband wouldn't mind just burying him in our backyard and you can visit anytime you want." In my shocked and saddened state I just agreed. When I hung up Taylor said "No, I'll go get him and bring him home." It turned out that the woman wasn't home and we would have to wait until she got back at which time Peter would be home anyway, so I told Taylor that Peter would do it. She was the one who suggested it though and I am grateful.

Goodbye Stanley Padden. You will be missed. I would like to add though that you will not be missed by the rodent population. Somehow I think they're having a party somewhere.