Black cat with green eyes

Della, the absolute very best being to ever exist, would have been 18 this month. I am so grateful to have spent 17+ years with her. Della rescued me when she showed up at the cat shelter where I volunteered, only four months old, the runt of the litter she arrived with (and the only one unspoken for), and immediately attached herself to me. She snuggled into me when I picked her up and cried and tried to scramble onto my shoulder if I attempted to set her down, so I completed all my duties with her happily tucked under one arm or on my shoulder. By the end of my shift, our bond was solid. I didn't want to head out to my paying job, and Della didn't want to settle in at the shelter, so I did the responsible thing for both of us. I called out sick and took my tiny cat home! 

Della remained a mama's girl and a shoulder cat her whole life. She stayed tiny but developed a big, confident personality with which to rule the larger cats. She had a serious looking face for such a sweet and playful little dreamlet and was always quick to purr. 

By the time she was two, she was an excellent thief. Some of her favorite things to take and stash were money, rings, toys directly out of other cats' mouths, and corn chips. She didn't ever eat the chips, just liked stashing them. She "earned" over $50 in cash over a fairly short period of time and scampered off with my husband's wedding ring when he took it off while baking. We didn't find that ring for months! She was incredibly fast and good at hiding things. She eventually outgrew thieving, but we always had to make sure guests kept any bags or purses inaccessible to avoid awkward situations.

Della often vocalized in trills and murmurs, which is how she got the nickname "Roo" since it sounded like that's what she was saying. I miss my little Roo. It's spring. Her favorite little white butterflies are out, and she's not here to sit with me and watch them. My shoulders are cold. I am still adjusting.

Della was extremely healthy for most of her life but developed a set of complicated conditions in her last years that required extensive and detailed medical care. Thankfully, I got to be home with her and dedicate my time to her special care. She was so happy and relaxed through all of it. I would not have thought that our bond could get any stronger, but it did. I cherished every day I had with her, and I know she did as well. She passed away in my arms on October 12, 2023. I cannot believe it has been six months. I am forever grateful to the amazing veterinary team whose thoughtful care and dedication granted us our final, beautiful year together.

I could write several books about Della's life and antics, but I will bring this to a close by saying that the bond we shared is worth every bit of grief I feel over her loss. I couldn't possibly have loved her more, and I know she knew that.