Two weeks ago, on April 27th, 2024, our beautiful cat, Sammy, died. We loved her very much so I thought I’d honor and remember her by writing, however inadequately, a little bit about her. We had her for over 10 years and we had a few nicknames for her, mostly variations on Roo–Sam-Roo, Roo-Roo, Rooey–but also Bunny and Duck-Duck because she was so soft and would meow a little bit like a duck.

We were the people that Sammy loved most in the world. She especially loved to be held like a baby on my shoulder, to tangle her paws in my hair, and to knead my neck and shoulders while purring. She would press her whole body against me, including her head, so that we could have the most contact possible. She was my constant companion and we were very happy together.

Sammy also really loved being warm–she liked my lap, to bury herself in sheets and blankets, and we could often find her lying in the sun or, in the last year or so, on a heated blanket that we set up right next to my work desk in the office. Sammy would lie there all day basking in the warmth and keeping an eye on me while I worked. It is harder now to work without her there.

Sammy never got angry or upset with any humans; I never heard her hiss or saw her scratch even when people were petting her belly or trying to pick her up. She was always loving and kind to her humans.

She was not always as kind to her sister, Jojo. Often they would tussle and fight and Sammy was usually the aggressor. But they were still sisters and would snuggle and care for one another especially when they were younger.

We will miss you forever, our beautiful Roo.