In year 2000, I climbed the mountain called Little Bear in the Sangre de Cristo Range of Colorado. It was a challenging climb for all of us experienced hikers that day and we were rewarded with a clear blue sky at the summit. It was a hard mountain to "tame" with all gray rock.

In 2009, I trapped Little Bear the cat, a gray one year old feral, very wild. It took three weeks before I could pet him. It was the day after Christmas when he finally accepted me. I didn't want a third cat when I found him. I was looking for Elbert who jumped of the deck and was never seen again. I searched for 6 months looking for Elbert and then, I found Little Bear.

I took Little Bear to Alley Cat Alliance, where one takes wild cats for neutering. I had to re-trap him in the humane trap to get him there. When I dropped him off, and started to walk out the door, he gave me "The Look". It was as if he was saying, "I thought I trusted you!" I will never forget that look. I told the technician that he was a "good cat", and thus the moment when my bond with Little Bear began.

In 2022 I saw "The Look" again. This time we were in the Animal Hospital sitting on the floor in a quiet room. He crawled weakly into my lap. His eyes were so forlorn. The night before I told him to let us know when it's time for him to go. Twice he looked me in the eyes as if to say, "Do something to help me".

In between those two "Looks", Little Bear and I shared the best of times for thirteen and a half years. We were better together. Many times, I would come back from a business trip, drop my suitcase at the bottom of the stairs and sit down on the floor. Little Bear quickly got into my lap each time. I will miss those lap visits. The last one at the Animal Hospital lasted for three hours.

Life is short and Little Bear taught me the importance of living it even when you don't feel well, even when fate is unkind, even when there is no clear path forward. Eventually, the path is found.

The gray tuxedo cat, Little Bear, you are my favorite fourteener!