Dear Moxie,

I'm sorry I keep leaving you for months at a time to go to college. When I was home for a month for winter break you must've thought I was back for good, and then I just left again. You have every right to be mad at me for a few days next time I come home, but just know, you're getting all the hugs and I know you'll secretly be happy about it even though you love to hold grudges. Just know that if I'm watching cat videos in my dorm instead of doing homework, it's because I miss you.

You're gonna turn FOURTEEN in April! I can't believe you've blessed our family for so long. I was a week away from five years old when we got you back in 2003, and later this year I'll be 19. We've literally grown up together and I couldn't have asked for a better cat to spend my childhood with. Although you don't act like you're getting older, (you still run up and down the stairs at 6 AM screaming at the top of your lungs for no reason because of cat logic), someday you're going to cross the rainbow bridge and I don't know what I'll do without you. But let's not think about that. You can definitely make it to your 20s.

When I explain what my cat is like to other people who've never met you, I often talk about how you attack people a lot and you're very aggressive due to your feral cat roots. But I know that you're just a giant baby. You've gone through so much in your little life so far: being born to a feral mother and getting rescued in Roslindale, having parasites when we adopted you, having kidney stones, the whole peeing on the floor thing because you're territorial, having surgery because you ate a goddamn needle and thread. We've got you on a special diet, you take anxiety pills, and you have special $16 litter. You're an expensive little guy, and my parents could probably put a third kid through college with what they spend on you, but you deserve it. I don't remember much about adopting you as I was only five, but I'll never forget that tiny little kitten that was nearly dying due to all the parasites. Now you're a gigantic, strong, and healthy cat. Although your feral tendencies are still with you (I have scars to prove it), you've completely adapted to domestic life

Although you like Dad the best because he feeds you, I think we have a pretty special bond. You know when I'm sad or sick and always hang out with me. You were hesitant to curl up on my bed when I came home from school last time, but you warmed up to me again. I love trying to figure out what you're staring at when you look out the window. I love booping your nose. I love that even though you could easily attack me, you tolerate me picking you up and bringing you all over the house. I love taking ridiculous pictures of you for the internet. Most importantly, I love being your buddy. I know I will have many cats in the future, but you'll always be my buddy.

I'll be home for spring break, see you soon.

Love,

Ali