When I was 10 we became a cat-less house for the first time in 18 years. Being the cat lover that I am, I begged to get another cat. Uncle Mark thought we would get a senior cat— nice try. We went to pick out a cat from a shelter. I saw a pile of gray kittens hiding behind some piece of cat furniture. I tried to reach back and grab one, but they all cowered in fear and did their best to avoid my hands. When I did manage to grab one, I picked him up, held him like a baby, and scratched his little face. There was lots of purring and happiness involved in that initial meeting, but I thought I better check out the other cats just in case and I foolishly put this kitten down. Lucky for me— he was not going to let me get away. While the other kittens continued to hide, he followed me around looking for more love. We didn’t know it then, but that day we went home with the best cat I have ever met. Every single day we have had together has been the biggest blessing. My cereal-milk-loving, banana-eating, 5am-hongry-screaming man has loved me for 12 years. We have had adventures in the park, plenty of snuggle time, and a million memories together. I will miss being able to make him purr on command (with ear scritches, a shake of the whipped cream can, the sound of a spoon hitting the side of a bowl that may or may not contain cereal, etc). I will miss him rubbing his face against mine. I will miss him jumping off of my bed to come find me when I had only left him alone for a minute to go to the bathroom. I will miss him greeting me at the door almost every time I came home. I will miss him putting a paw on my arm or purring when I’m upset or crying. I will miss him screaming at me through the back door when I dared to go outside without him. I will miss the ultra soft patches of cream colored fur behind his ears. I don’t know if I will ever be able to not severely miss my best friend— the sweetest, most loving, and possibly hungriest cat to ever exist. I love you, Gus. I hope you’ve known that your whole life. I could never thank you enough for allowing me to be your favorite person and for also loving all of my favorite people. There is nothing I want more than to be able to see you again one day. I will spend the rest of my life waiting for that moment.