Today I lost one of my best friends and a member of my family. My cat of 9 years, Leo (or Leo Bear) passed away peacefully in my arms. Writing is the only way I know how to start to deal with this and to honour all the love this beautiful animal gave to others.
I know everyone thinks their pets are the best, but I really do believe that Leo was the sweetest cat in the world. He was with me through many ups and downs and travelled across the country twice. He moved with me from place to place and was a constant source of comfort and joy for me during some of the hardest and happiest moments in my life thus far.
This post is a tribute to what I learned from my sweet baby bear.
1. Know yourself and stick to it
Leo was a beautiful cat and mostly easy going. He was also very sure of himself and what he wanted to do. If he didn’t want to do it, it didn’t happen. This was especially fun while giving him medication, especially for many of our friends and family who have cat-sat for us over the years. He managed to get out of every costume we ever put him with the skill of a magician and would promptly fall over like a log anytime we put a leash on him. He was selfless, but never allowed himself to be walked over. He would tolerate his sometimes pesky brother, Sawyer, until he crossed the line and then Leo would pounce (about a minute later this photo was him wrestling Sawyer away).
2. Pour love on anything that’s upset
If someone was crying/upset or we even raised our voices slightly, Leo would show up on the scene immediately meowing and giving out copious head butts. He would try to get into your arms or crawl on top of you to snuggle you until he thought you felt better. The feeling of lying down with his weight on me and his purrs ringing is still one of the most comforting things I have ever experienced.
3. Running water is the only water
Leo was not easy to keep hydrated. When we lived with my Grandparents my dear Poppy started a habit of letting Leo drink from the faucet. From then on it was water from the tap or nothing. We tried many fountains, but none of them compared to his tap water. The best habit that came out of this was when he would sleep in the sink waiting for you to realize he wanted a drink.
4. Tell people/things you love them every chance you get
Head butts are a way of cats expressing their affection. Leo gave affection often. From our couch to our faucet to every single person that walked in our door, he made sure that everything knew it was loved with a head butt, a purr and if you were really lucky some snuggles. This also extended to waking me up in the middle of the night from purring head butts as even at 2am Leo wanted me to know that he loved me.
Leo, I’m not sure if you thought you were a cat, a person or a teddy bear that had come to life. These last 9 years with you have been a gift. You comforted me through break-ups, through losing loved ones and other disappointments and celebrations large and small. You spent so much time with Poppy while he was sick and I know that meant the world to him and our family. I like to imagine that you’ve found each other again (Poppy, you can give him all the treats you want now!).
Thank you baby bear for greeting us at the door each day. Thank you for converting people who never thought they would love a cat into cat lovers. Thank you for our many, many hours of snuggles at all hours of the day and night. Thank you for being you and for being a rock in my life all of these years.
You’ll be loved and missed by many. I know a little piece of my heart will be with you always and that you've left a piece of yours in mine.
Good night bear.
Your mama-bear,
Nicole
xoxo
Being a Force for Good 
