The hardest part of loving someone is the inevitable loss that death brings. Some may consider pets superfluous, but for many of us they become the closest part of your family- the heart and soul. Boots was more than just a cat. It took a while for Boots to officially join our family, but Boots was the reason I ever even considered getting cats. From the moment I first met her, with her endless talk, headbutts and cuddles, I knew my heart had been stolen.

Boots had a long and full life with my husband, the other cats, and I. She joined countless vocal lessons with an international rock star, stealing her heart. I always said she was the true star- she never needed any corrections! She always had something to say, usually begging (or yowling) for food. She spoke real words, such as “Yeah Yeah” if she wanted something, “yeah yeah yeah” if she REALLY wanted something, “Mmm yeah!” and “No!!!!” She used to curl up against my arm in bed every night as I settled in to read for an hour or so before sleeping. She never found a person she didn’t love, and her life mission was to snuggle everyone and convert them to cat lovers- she even succeeded with my cantankerous grandfather, who she loved to talk on the phone to. Life and the world in general has been dimmed without her light and there will never be another like her.

Death always seems so sudden, even when you see it looming on the horizon. While it may be a reprieve, those living will never know what that “after” consists of, but do feel the gaping wound of the loss of those you loved unconditionally with all your heart. Make certain to spend time with your loved ones, don’t put off activities you’ve been wanting to do with friends and pets, and always give all the love you possibly can; you never know when a moment together might be the last.