Zali found me when I looked out the window one night and found a small little cat staring at me with gorgeous green eyes. She was meowing for food, and I went outside to look at her. I wasn't really a cat person before I met Zali, so I was a little afraid of her. But as soon as I reached out my hand to touch her she licked my hand giving the most loudest purr ever. I was so attached to this little cat that when I called the animal shelter to collect her I was even scared that someone had owned her because I wanted to keep her! Luckily my wish was granted. I named this little cat "Zali" because the week before I had a skiing holiday and I skied down a very steep mountain named "Zali's Mountain". So I decided to call my cat that. 

The vet at first estimated that Zali was 5 years old, so on the registration form her birth was 1/1/02. Up until her death I kept this birthday. The months that followed Zali's adoption was fun and relaxing. She was the most affectionate cat ever; she never even scratched or bitten anyone (except the dog of course). The day of her death was the most devastating day of my life. That morning I got out of bed and found Zali at the bottom of the stairs. I called her name. She didn't respond. I peered down onto her face and saw her eyes were still open. So I stood her up and she could walk but she could not move her head at all. I was getting really  worried, and I tempted her with cat food to see if she could still move her head. She couldn't. That last cuddle I had with her was sad. She was purring in my arms. The vet collected her. At 10.00 am the vet called and said that they think she was going to be fine; but she had Kidney Failure. I was so relived after this call...until 12.30pm when the vet called again to say she died. I couldn't believe it. My cat was dead, when the day before she was meowing and running around in the garden. The vet also said they examined her body and they think she was 15 years old, not 5 years old.   

The week that followed was hard. There was cat fur everywhere, which was hard for me too. Even the fleas were jumping around looking for Zali blood to suck on. Zali will always be in my heart. Losing her is like losing half of me. Some of my friends said "its just a cat" and that made me really upset. Zali's body is being burnt to ashes and sent to me. She ashes will be spread around my garden. 

My friend wrote a poem for her:

Zali was a loyal cat
Always loved by Gina
Looking good everyday
I knew she had a good life

Zali, you were an amazing cat with the most affectionate personality. You were never angry at anyone. I remember the lazy Saturday mornings where you would jump up on my bed, sit on my tummy and purr. Before I met you I used to hate cats. Then you came along, and now I have realised I am a true cat lover. The sound of a bell reminds me of you. I know I will never have another cat like you. I hope we will be reunited in Heaven when I pass on, and we will be cuddling together for ever and ever. 

I will miss you, Queen Of all Cats.