***Warning, this entry contains emotional content***
In the latter part of October 2020, the authorities granted me access into their home. Little did they know it would soon become my urban gymnasium as their only purpose was to feed me, pay the mortgage, and keep the lights on. Petting was optional.
For the first 2 days, I barricaded myself in a spare room and would only allow the authorities entry. Any and all other visitors would get a firm hiss and a display of tactical toe beans. Several days later, the authorities decided to open the gates so I could explore my new forever home.
Within a few meters of the hot gates, I was greeting by a rather large grey cat. She didn’t move. She stared straight through my soul. She was not intimidated by me at all. I swatted at her regularly over the next few days as a show of dominance, but she outweighed me by at least 20 lbs. She was livin’ large. I would clearly lose had she chosen to initiate go mode. Here and there she would return fire if I provoked her enough, but she never attempted to inflict any pain. It was all warning shots. Maybe she felt sorry for me since the other gray cat hated me from day number one and still pretty much does.
After several months, I was beginning to understand that she tolerated me out of respect for the authorities and also that she had a pure soul. A very sweet one at that. The other gray is a soulless creature….. Still is. Every now and then, she would have to remind me that she outranked me and wasn’t afraid to prove it. (pictured)
As time moved on, I noticed she slept a lot….and ate a lot. The authorities then debriefed me that she had the diabeetus. I have no clue what that is, but they said they would take care of her the best that they could. From that day forward, we all had to share a special food blend which none of us liked, but be did it for Aunt Cleo since she would eat all of our food if we didn’t.
In the recent days, she told me the story of how she and the long haired authority had met. How she used to follow the short haired authority around the house for attention. How to sneak in the bed with the authorities. How to properly catnap on humans. How to make “biscuits”. How to respect the other gray cat (that one still doesn’t work, but I am trying). She taught me so much. It was only then that I realized the day was coming that we would say our final goodbyes and I would never get to see her again.
Unexpectedly, that day was today. My other adopted sister has miraculously stayed by my side this evening to offer her condolences and much needed comfort as I have never had an experience like this before. It has a zero star rating and I would not recommend it. Maybe it will get easier over time. One can only hope. Until we meet again, rest easy Aunt Cleo. Thank you for everything. Sophiecat loves you. You will be missed more than you will ever know…
mycatlog.com 