About two weeks ago I lost my best friend. She had been by my side for about the last 15 years of my life. As she grew up, I grew up. We were the best of friends even though she was not a human. She was my cat and my best friend. When my father married my stepmother two cats came along with her, Fella and Izzy. Fella was a shy, not so friendly cat but Izzy she became my best friend.

She would follow me around everywhere I went around my house, room to room rubbing her tail up against me as I walked or stood in a doorway. She became the kind of animal who would spend many nights sleeping at the foot of my bed before I got too scared that I would kick her off in the middle of the night. I would chase her around my house with a laser pointer until she ran into the wall at the bottom of my basement stairs because she saw the red laser.

Izzy loved to be pet and purred whenever anyone gave her enough attention. She would run outside in my backyard and bring home dead birds and mice to our front steps to make us proud. At least, I think that is what she thought. She was the best cat anyone could have and an even better friend. She has been my pal for the past fifteen years but this past year I felt like we got the closest we had ever been. While people might think it is weird that I am talking about my cat being my best friend but it is the truth. She treated me like a best friend would through all the love and affection she showed me.

Over the past year, we spent many days cuddling and watching Netflix together. When I was deciding on a college she was there for me as I went through the hard decision. Even though she can't speak she showed her support through purring and cuddling on my bed. Every break I had from college this past year she was always waiting for me as I got home. She would always be purring and waiting for me to pet her like I had never left to go to school over four hours away from her. We spent nights watching TV while hanging in my basement which became her "crib".

As I am writing this, I never would have thought that I would miss her this much. She became my best friend over the course of fifteen years. She became the animal that I loved to spend time with whether I was happy or sad. She treated me with so much love that will never be able to be replaced.

I'm sorry Izzy, that I thought you would last until I came home for the summer. I am sorry that I thought you would be okay. I am sorry that I never really said goodbye. I hope you know how much I love you and wish I could give you one more cuddle and hug. I'll miss you until we are reunited again. I hope you are playing with Hank in kitten heaven. We miss and love you so much.

You were the best thing that has ever been mine.

Love,

Martha