Thinking back to when we first met, I knew we were meant for one another within minutes. I walked into the shelter and saw all the cat eyes on me as I passed by each cage. I knew I wanted a playful kitty and also one that would like to be hugged a lot. When I pointed to you and you were handed to me, you immediately cuddled up in my arms. It was so very comforting. After a couple minutes you heard a sound, jumped out of my arms and ran under the cages. I took a feather toy and was able to lure you out and that's when I knew it was you that would come home with me. I knew we would become close friends but I did not expect how you would truly become my best friend. Through all of life's challenges the last 15 1/2 years, you have been right by my side. Your intuition was off the charts, you always knew when I needed a hug. Not many cats actually give real hugs, but you always did. Whenever I would come home, you would jump on the table and when I walked up to it, you would place your front legs on my shoulders, lay your head right there next to my neck and I would put my arms around you. We would hug like that every day. Those hugs got me through a lot of rough days. For 6 years, it was just you and me. And when I got married, we were an instant family, just us three. When I got pregnant and was worried about how I would learn everything I would need to know to be a good mother, my human friends reassured me that I would be a good mom because you had taught me how. And when I saw you with your new human brothers and sister, it brought tears to my eyes how much you loved them too. And also how much they loved you from way before they could walk. You taught them how to love and respect animals and for that I will be forever grateful. But even more than that, you made it easy for them to love you because of how kind of a cat you were.

I will never forget all your crazy antics. They certainly developed throughout the years. I'm not sure another animal, or human for that matter, could successfully carry a stud earring around in their front teeth without eventually swallowing it, but you did. If I didn't put my earrings away in my jewelry box, I would usually have to search for the match to the one left on my dresser. You could hang on door knobs and turn the door handles. You walked along the railing of our second floor which made me so nervous looking up at you from the floor below. You never fell though, you always kept your balance. Though I must say, your mount and dismount onto the actual railing were the most impressive parts. If it were me, I would have completely surpassed the railing and fell down to the level below. You hated collars, you acted as if I had put something on you that was choking you and then I would have to immediately remove it because I was afraid you actually would choke from trying to get it off. Even the collars that said they were safe from choking hazards made me fear that you would choke. So, no collar for you.

As a friend so simply put it, we grew up together. And although I wasn't actually a small child when I got you, she was so right when she said that. I adopted you when I was 23 years old and I grew into my adult years with you. And when life threw hardships at me or brand new experiences, you were right by my side. Always.

And you inspired me to write. You would sit right on my desk next to my computer as I would write. A lot of the times you would sit right on my arm or even on my computer or notebook, making it nearly impossible to keep writing at that moment, but you were always right there with me. And now as I sit at my desk, I see an open space and it makes me feel so sad. I miss you so much. Life is not the same without you and you are loved and missed dearly.

1.23.22

Happy Birthday, my Luis. The kids were so excited that it was your birthday today but if I am being honest, it was a pretty hard day for me. We lit a candle for you and the kids sang Happy Birthday. It lightened the mood a bit but not enough to make me not feel sad. I wish you were here with us to hold and sit on our laps as we always did, with a candle in your favorite can of food. We always had to hold you slightly tighter than usual to prevent you from diving for your food with the candle still lit. I will cherish those memories, pictures and videos forever. I miss you. :(. Thank you for leaving little reminders around the house for me. As I was winding up the cord of my hair straightener today I felt the rough parts of the cord and was reminded immediately of how much you loved to bite that cord, and pretty much every cord we had. So many cords are full of little bite marks. We even had to put special protective coverings on some of them to prevent further destruction to them. I always thought it was amazing that you never got even the smallest electric shock from doing that. There is an art to biting cords, apparently, and you had it down pat. I wish I still had to worry about fixing cords or putting cords away in drawers. It's just not the same to not have that worry on our plates anymore. You always kept us on our toes. I love you and miss you dearly, my Luis.