My pet Shadow passed away over a week ago, and I was a bit of a wreck at the time. After much time processing and moving to a new apartment (unrelated) I'm feeling much more stable than I was, and figured it would be fitting to do some cute art.

This kiddo ALWAYS wanted my attention. His bowl was always full, so it was never food he wanted, just attention. He was my silly weirdo who's favorite things in the whole world were dry kibble (even though I tried many times to feed him eggs and cheese and raw meat), concrete (great back scratcher) and licking human earwax (I'm at a loss on this one, idk why). He was extremely cuddly, social, and very noisy. I was sometimes annoyed with the incessant meowing at early hours of the morning while trying to sleep, but now I would do anything to have that sound back.

It seems a fungal respiratory infection he had had over 10 years ago suddenly came back 2 Saturdays ago, without warning. I immediately took him to the nearest emergency vet the moment he woke me up with his shallow breathing. They gave him meds, put him on oxygen and said "let's see how he does in 24 hours", but he didn't last that night.

He didn't look or act old even at almost 13, so I thought he had at least a few more years in him. I was excited for him to see the new bigger apartment to zoom around in and explore, but unfortunately life loves its curveballs, and ya just gotta figure out how to feel your feelings and work through it. You never know how suddenly they could leave you, so hold your pets close for me and savor the time you have with them.


You were taken too suddenly and too soon, but I hope I could at least give you a good life. Rest well, little buddy.