As difficult as it is to talk about, I find it equally as sweet and comforting to write about my beloved Luna.
She passed away on Oct. 10, a colorful night illuminated by the beautiful Northern Lights that seemed more vivid and surreal than most evenings I witnessed. She was one of the most energetic, bright-eyed, and purely adorable cats that I was blessed to have known and loved.
It’s been over a month since she left us, but it feels like just yesterday she was here. She was just as much a part of this family and household, and to lose her so unexpectedly has been a huge heartache for both my mom and I.
For five years, Luna was with me every step of the way. She traveled alongside me to every place I moved to and experienced both the highs and lows of my life. She was my comfort during the COVID-19 pandemic, just a kitten at the time, when I was laid off, along with so many other people, from my job. She endured the exhausting moves and living situations I found myself in during that chaotic period as I searched for stable housing. There were moments when I was afraid we wouldn’t have a place to live, but I’d look at her and knew we’d find a way. While she was always a small cat, her presence was great and made me feel at ease, even in the worst circumstances.
I originally found her in Herron when I used to live in Alpena County. Just as the winter was wrapping up and spring was well on its way, she showed up hungry at the farmhouse I was living at. I remember giving her some of the cat food that I had stored away in the mudroom and how she ate it so fast as if she never had something so good before. I knew from then on that I had to take care of her. We were inseparable and it seemed like nothing could tear us apart.
When we found the cabin to rent in Traverse City several years ago, it was the first house she ever had full access to roam around. She loved the freedom of roaming the halls and bedrooms, but especially patrolling the basement for any unwanted critters. We gave her everything we could —- all the cat toys, special treats, and most of all, “pure love of love joy,” as my mom would say.
The death of a pet that you truly loved and cared for is unlike any other. Our cats and dogs, or whatever kind of pet it may be, become some of our most loyal family members. They listen to, watch, and absorb everything that you do.
While they may leave us too soon, the love is everlasting and helps to fill the void of their absence. It’s a rare and gentle kind of love that I’m so grateful to have experienced in my lifetime and that I’ll miss forever.
