Bates

No one has ever loved me

The way you loved me

You chose me

By holding on just a little longer

They marked your paw purple

When I returned to bring you home

I could hear your sweet meows as I drove

So I had to take you out of the box

And you crawled up on my shoulder

Purring quietly as I drove the rest of the way home

You would sleep on my neck

So light I could feel your purrs

I never wanted to leave your side

So I carried you in my jacket

While I went grocery shopping

And I took you in my bag

To my Women in Music class

You were so good!

As you grew older

You still wanted to sleep on my neck

But I couldn't breathe

So you slept by my face instead

Through the years

You were always happy to see me when I came home

You followed me from room to room

Even to the bathroom

We peed together

(Maybe even pooped together)

You always wanted to be close to me

Sitting next to the counter

While I washed dishes in the kitchen

Sitting on the arm of the couch

While I watched TV

Sitting on me

Climbing on me

You always seemed to want to get closer

Did you want to go inside my face?

How did you know so well when I was sad?

You came up to me

Gently pawing at my head

Licking my tears down my face

How did you know so well when I was sick?

You stayed with me

All night
Your paw on my hand

While I tossed, turned, moaned

Got up to vomit and returned

I wish I had known about your perforated eardrum

I wish I had taken you to the vet sooner to diagnose chronic liver disease

I wish I could have prevented Letia from attacking you those two times

(But everyone loved your folded ears, anyway!)

You never cared that some people referred to you with female pronouns
I assured them that it's ok

You're gender-fluid

Like me

I miss you already

You were my best friend

My companion

My (non-sexual) boyfriend-cat

One of the loves of my life

I can't wait to be with you again

But I will

And I

ee-I

Will Always

Love you

My handsome Bates-ies