here's to a great cat.

mr. puss was a wonderful companion for the last 18 years, my first pet, and a beloved family member. dog and cat shows, family rooms, ear-scratching, purrrrfect puss, chewed-up papers, water guns at christmastime, brown scratching loop, hampster+jump rope adventures, ever-twitching tail, first ride home on mom's head, loving disdain for val, escapes, returns, reaching for us at the pound, attacks at the tv, unwilling king of childhood castles, yardsticking for fuzzy mice under the dryer, food cabinets pried open, waiting on the stool by the baskets, unexpected sweetness in later years, headbutts, biffs, moochpets, daybed naps... thank you for all you brought into my life.
i'm sorry old age and illness had to come to you. i hope you didn't hurt too much towards the end. thank you for waiting for me. i'm glad i got to spend a few more weeks with you before you let go. i have always loved you very much, and that will never change, even if i can't see you anymore.
rest in peace, mr. puss. i will miss you.