Remembering a dear and fuzzy friend

About 25 minutes east of Columbia, just off U.S. 21, the sun eases down as a best friend is laid to rest. Rachel Robinson Geddings, 15, says goodbye to “the sweetest cat ever.”

One-year-old Tama was hit by a car while crossing a street in their West Columbia neighborhood.

Pet Haven Cemetery co-owner Denise Heaton spills the red Sandy Run clay on the small casket as Rachel remembers the last days with the companion she described as a Garfield look-alike.

“If we buried him at home and moved we wouldn’t be able to come back and visit,” Rachel said, the wind blowing through her red, ruffled skirt. “I just wish I’d had a chance to say goodbye.”

— C. Aluka Berry

caberry@thestate.com