Happy 10th Birthday to my amazing cat-baby Puss ’n Boots. From the very first day We met, we were kindred spirits. I remember walking into the SPCA, determined to find (and leave with) my new bundle of love. I walked in and was immediately drawn to the room full of kittens that were old enough to be taken home, and started playing with them, wondering which I’d bring home with me.... When out of the corner of my eye, from another room completely, came this surprisingly loud meow from a kitten that was just about three weeks old. When I entered that room, it was baby kitten heaven - three week old bundles of tumbling fur, but one little blonde baby stood out. He struggled to climb himself out of the mess of movement and immediately bounded over to me and started climbing up my leg, meowing loudly the whole time. When I bent down to pick him up, he fit into the palms of my hands, he was so tiny. His meows relaxed into a hefty purr and he cuddled right up to me. As I stared into his little eyes, I knew he was mine - he chose me, after all. I ended up not being able to take my kitten home that day, as he was too young, but I awaited the day I’d be able to pick him up with earnest, excited to snuggle and love the little meow-er I’d fallen in love with. Almost two weeks later, at just about a month old, I was able to pick Boots up and take him home. When I walked into the SPCA that second time, it was like he remembered me, he was SO excited to see me and be taken home! Since that very first day, we’ve always been inseparable. Over the last ten years, we’ve moved eight times together, been through relationships, suffered through sickness, and rejoiced through success. Whenever I was sad, he was the one to lick away my tears. When I was at my sickest, he kept me sane, never leaving my side - he’d even lay on my feet in the bathroom. Whenever I walk through the door, he’s there to greet me, beyond excited to see his favorite person. Boots has made my life richer every day of our almost ten years together, and I am so grateful for the joy that my little fur-baby brings each and every day. Happy 10th birthday to one of the most important loves of my life. (at El Cerrito, San Diego)
