Dear Kitty,
It's been 6 years since you have passed on. Memories of you still remained, and there were some days I wished you were here silently supporting me through the milestones of my life.
Since you left, I have no courage to get myself another cat. I wasn't sure if I could handle another cat leaving me, and I did not want to shortchange the new cat by letting it substitute who you were.
I finally adopted a kitten this year. The neighbour came by with a little tabby kitten. Her name is Gracie and she's about 9 months old now. She reminded me of the days when I played with you when I was 9 years old. I almost forgot the days you pounced at my feet, climbed the windows, played with lizards, and greeted me at the door. Gracie is a active mixed breed Bengal, and has a longer body than you. She sleeps in a most ungraceful manner (all stretched out) and she is not very vocal when it comes to asking for things. I can see that her nose and chin are bigger than yours, and she doesn't know that kisses meant affection (yet).
I remembered those trips away where I did not see you and the first thing I look for is you when I return. I was away from Gracie for a while, and I missed her terribly. I guess I have allowed myself to fall in love with another cat. It feels different from the last 6 years of patting other people's cats.
You had to deal with me as a kid when you were growing up, and now I am Gracie's mummy. I scold her when she misbehaves and gets into catfights. I read up on cat nutrition, check out the labels on cat food, and even started brushing Gracie's teeth. I can tell Gracie's a lot more spoilt. I've got the fan blowing at her now because she was rejecting all her usual sleeping spots because it has been a warm summer day.
I have a lot to thank my own mother for, for modelling for me since young that pets are there for life. There is no 'give away' option. I am glad I kept you for 20 years, from watching you as a kitten into an elderly cat who was losing his once acute hearing. I had a horrible realisation that if Gracie lived as long as you, there'll be 2 old women in the house in years to come!
Many things about Gracie has invoked some of the things I've forgotten about you. I pray that she will be well loved and live a long life, just like you.
Miss you lots.
