Never when dressing
Did I discourage his helping with laces
Despite his whiskers getting in some really tight places.

Never at our morning love seat share
Did I ever say a cross-word to that cat...
Just because that was where he usually sat.

Never while riding me down the stairs
Did I begrudge claw holes in my shirt shoulder,
Even when grip outworked balance as he got older.

Never while watching TV
Did I object to waking the dog from her nap
When all that was wanting was his fair share of the lap.

Never did I see the glass half empty
While he was lapping at low water
From a whisker-wide sixteen-ounce tumbler.

Never did I forget (in his later years)
To pat that old brat on the head
Before saying goodnight and going to bed.

Never will I not miss him
Or not see him in my mind's eye
Sitting right there...or off in that kitty condo in the sky.