Jaime
IMG_0087-edit2.jpg
Today I had to say goodbye to my beloved Jaime. He had been my best friend for 12 years, and he is already missed so, so, so much. When we met for the first time at the animal shelter, I was the lucky one. I wish we could have spent a much, MUCH longer time together, but I am grateful for the time I had to know him. Jaime completely changed my mind about cats. He was so loving, and so friendly, and honestly the best fucking cat in the world. He was always there for me, to greet me with a meow, or to cuddle when watching TV. He was always nearby, because he loved being around people - he was the most social cat I've ever known. He's spoiled me for cats forever, because there will never be another cat like him.
My only regret is that these past few months, which none of us knew would be his last, I hadn't spent much time with him. I kept telling myself that when things slowed down, when I didn't have this or that to do... but of course, life doesn't wait for you to be ready. I've been going through some health issues since the beginning of May, and though of course I'd wished a million times that I didn't have to, I now find it even more unfair and regretful, because I had to focus so much on myself and getting through every day, that I couldn't appreciate him as much as I should have, and wished I'd had.
The hardest part with Jaime is that, unlike with Talis, this came about very suddenly. Even two weeks ago I would have told you he was perfectly fine. At 14, I knew he was getting up there in age, but I felt reasonbly sure I had at least a few more years with him. It never occurred to me, because he was active and full of curiosity still, that these could possibly be his last few months. Then when things started to get suspicious, even then it started fairly innocuously, but then ramped up quickly (he stopped being interested in food, when he'd always had a non-picky, voracious appetite). I'm glad he didn't have to suffer for a long time (hopefully, since I can never really know), but nothing can describe how empty my arms feel or how big a hole there is in my heart now.
Jaime, my baby, my honey, my sweet little friend, may you rest well, until we meet again. I love you so much.