Benson

Mr. Benson will always be remembered as one of my most significant companions in life, and I will be forever grateful for the love and devotion that he so graciously returned to me.

I found and adopted Benson from the Central Oregon Humane Society in January of 2014 when I had been searching for a kitty companion for several months. Although I had met and visited dozens of sweet and wonderful kitties, mostly in the Portland area where I had lived at the time, Benson stood out in a way that was completely different than all the others, and felt complementary to me as a person, as if we fit together like pieces to a puzzle.

I could see that he was a bit older, had recent surgery and teeth removal, and was not in the best health, but he was calm, stoic, beautiful, and seemed to be in complete acceptance of his circumstances in life, even though he had been priorly abandoned and was now cooped up in a small cage for over a month. I admired his strength and ability to flow gracefully through life without letting harsh and bitter experiences alter his behavior and character.

After taking him home with me, my admiration for him grew and grew with time, as I began to see him flourish and become the happy, funny, comfortable, and content kitty he was inside. Although we had lived in a tiny studio apartment together for the majority of his time with me, I felt he had always showed me how content and truly at peace he was in his new life, living with me and my partner. In turn, he was one of the most fulfilling aspects of my life, loving and comforting me as a constant companion, throughout all the good and bad times of my early adulthood. He soon became the center of my world, and ensuring his health, happiness, and all the love I could pour into him was my promised devotion to Benson.

Even though our studio apartment was his “kitty kingdom” and he found himself content just as long as he was with us, I’m so grateful that he lived long enough for my partner and me to move back to Central Oregon, in a quiet neighborhood surrounded by trees, birds, and sun for him to soak up every day. Benson got to enjoy a much bigger household and I loved to see him sit in each window sill, accompany us at the table for dinner, and make a special spot for himself in every room of the house.

I’m also thankful that he got the chance to meet and live with his ‘brother’, Jericho, for almost a year before his passing. We had adopted Jericho the doggy in January of 2020, and even though it took a little bit of time for he and Benson to connect with one another, once they did, they were the cutest and happiest brothers; following me together in every room while I worked from home all day, and sitting beside me outside on the porch while I had my coffee in the morning. I miss their funny and cute dynamic together, but am so glad they were able to spend time with each other while Benson was still here, as it seemed Benson was almost like a calming mentor to Jericho, who had experienced and overcame a lot of the same tribulations that Benson once had.

My bond with Benson was one-of-a-kind and an experience I will cherish for the rest of my life. Even though he was a cat, he possessed so many qualities I find admirable and aspire to obtain, myself. He was strong, resilient, dignified, compassionate, loving, humorous, and so incredibly loyal to me. Benson was a powerful influence in my life, and I will be eternally grateful for everything he taught me. He was truly a beautiful being and I will always miss him dearly. Rest in blissful peace, my sweet Benson. We will never forget you.

A donation was made in Benson's memory and the memorial was created on August 21, 2020.