As a cat I was born with nine lives. Typically, that means I get to be adventurous and explore the world I
inhabit. I might catch small critters, meet other cats, and make a name for myself while living my lives to the full. However, that was not the case for me from the day I was adopted. A family of four took me in: a mother and father with their two boys. Just a wee orange kitten, but they were happy to have me. They named me Merlo, or if you really loved me, Mermers.
Each day of domestic bliss I would play, cuddle, eat, and sleep. A sweet cycle from which I never wanted to be removed. I had an older sister named Cleo. A white and grey cat who was far more reclusive; she was very possessive of the father in the family. Cleo showed me the wonders of sleeping under the master bed, peak comfort, quiet, dark. A dog came and went. A good boy who was replaced by two crazy huskies. They tried to nip and shove me as if I were a toy for them to play with. I retreated to my hideout under the bed when they grew too big for me to handle.
The two human boys were my favorite. They would let me snuggle on their beds while they played their
games. On occasion they might scratch my chin and pet me —but only during game intermissions. The older boy brought a girl home to meet me when I was around eleven, after many of my lives had been lived. She may have been allergic, but she loved me just as much as the boys; sniffling and sneezing while she cuddled me as though I were her own precious cat. They all loved me. I was at home, at peace. Time passed.
My nine lives were calm.
At one point I began to grow weak. I couldn’t close my eyes properly, and when I did they would stick
together. I grew weaker, and the vet’s medications no longer worked for me. I knew my time was up. I had
used all my nine lives; but I was so grateful for each and every one of them. I had spent most of my time with the older son, who loved me best. He had claimed me as his; his Mermers, and the girl he had brought home all those years ago still fretted over me. She would call and see me over his phone, and he would send her photos. Sadly she was unable to visit me one last time.
I did not think my nine lives would go by so fast. To my humans, it was twenty years. Twenty years of being loved and cared for by the kindest family a cat could ask for.
Thank you.
With love, Mermers. ▲
