My partner’s and my cat of just under 6 years died totally unexpectedly a couple of weeks ago. Not only was the incident itself traumatic . . . the vet suspects a previously undetected heart ailment, which caused his death almost instantly while we were home with him. But I miss him so much.

His name was Percy, and he was a remarkable cat . . . and companion. Sounds a lot like Elli in temperament. We sued to describe him as skittishly defiant, as he was curious but unwaveringly suspicious of strangers, including close friends of ours; yet amazingly affectionate with the two of us. He got to travel cross-country as well, even to another country! We joked about making him a fake visa, since we had to get permission to move him with us.

It is remarkable how these little creatures can change us. I’ve told friends since he died that I’m a better person because I had a cat. They all laugh, but I know it’s true. I imagine Percy knew it too.

Thanks for your posting about your own experience.

Thanks for writing about her and your relationship.

Jim

That said, there is definitely something to fully utilizing strengths instead of shoring up weaknesses and creating “fungability.”