In 2000, I had a very special friend come into my life. I picked him up from the SPCA after I deemed that yes, he was the one best suited for me. To be honest, at first I didn’t know if I was going to be able to keep him. He was incredibly anti-social and would attack me while I laid down. I suspect that he was abused and that was part of the reason he was at the SPCA to begin with. He did not come from a loving home. Instead of giving up on him, I decided to do the opposite and just continued to spend time with him, giving him cuddles and enduring his scratching. Eventually he came around and became a well adjusted member of the family.

I’ve been through a lot with this kitty. He’s traveled around with me and even watched me become a completely new person. If you have to transition, it’s wonderful to have such an adored friend in your life who will accept you unconditionally regardless of your gender or the state of your genitals. He followed me everywhere, always wanting to be nearby. When I would come home from work, he would be sitting at the door waiting to greet me. When I slept at night, he would stretch out beside me and snuggle in close. He had transformed from anti-social and mistrustful to loving and loyal. He was truly happy and secure with me and that makes me feel good.

He was getting on in years and I had been prepared for awhile that he wouldn’t be lasting much longer. I could see him winding down as age caught up with him. During our recent heat wave, I did my best to keep him cool. I had him closed off in my bedroom with an air conditioner on full blast. It was still too much for him though and his health took a turn for the worse. He stopped eating and drinking and just buried himself in the closet preparing to die. I made him as comfortable as possible and spent lots of time with him telling him how much I loved him. Fortunately he wasn’t in any pain and it seemed like it would be as humane a death as one can imagine possible. At 10AM this morning, he gave one last little whimper and finally left me.

People who have pets understand the significance their roles play in our lives and the hurt their deaths can bring. Regardless of the fact that he was just a cat, he always made sure I never slept alone, he always made sure I had a friend, and simply, there’s no way you can pour that much love into a living, feeling creature and not have it give love back in return. My kitty was the best friend I had who was there for me during the hardest times in my life.

I will never forget you, and I will always love you.

Love Ashley