Days after I was born, there were photos of me with cats in my crib. Throughout my toddler years, I saw cats as my big brothers and sisters. They took care of me – babysat me, cleaned me, played with me, and gave me lots of love and attention.
My cat Aslin took to me immediately. As a 3-yr old, my best friend was my cat. He was very smart and listened to everything I told him. He was great at following commands, very unusual for a cat. The funny thing is, he ONLY listened to me.
When I was 4, Aslin and my mom’s cat Puff had kittens. I named one of them Aslin because he looked just like his dad. Sadly, my parents gave Aslin (the dad) away to my mom’s best friend in NJ. I always asked about him, but only ever saw him two more times in my life. Aslin, the kitten, became my kindred spirit. He & I connected just like his father & I did.
Aslin slept on my bed, sat on my lap, and always hung out wherever I was in the house. Since I raised him from a kitten, I called him my son. He was my world, my life, my everything!
Age 11, Aslin is diagnosed with Feline Leukemia. His hair begins to fall out, his body has scabs from him scratching too much, but I still held him in my arms every chance I got. He was my baby! On April 7, 1990, Aslin passed away. My mom’s boyfriend had to pry him from my arms, with me crying desparately to keep holding him. He said Aslin wouldn’t leave me as long as I held him, and he was in pain and needed to pass on. Before I said good-bye, I asked him to come back to me. I know he heard me.
A few months later, my mom, sister and I went to see a movie at a run down theater in a run down mall (most shops out of business). We looked in the window of a pet store that was going out of business and saw a small Persian kitty alone in a cage. The store was closed, so we couldn’t go in to see him. I have no clue what movie we saw; all I could think about was the lonely kitty.
The next day, when I came home from school, there was an adorable little gray Persian waiting for me in my mom’s bed. She named him Casey, after her first computer. She was an artist and a writer, so that computer was very special to her. Back in the day, having a computer was a really big deal.
Casey had so many of Aslin’s personality traits, and his coloring. They were both gray Persians who were very loyal to me, and who were exceedingly loving. They also had many of the same facial expressions. It was great to see Aslin alive in Casey! I felt truly happy to have my little boy back in my life!
Over the years, Casey was with me through everything. He was always there for me when I was upset (which as a teen, was a lot). He was so sweet and loving, and the most amazing cat I had ever known. Everyone who got to know Casey loved him. He had the most incredibly loving disposition! In his older years, I used to get him shaved like a lion. He looked like a Dr. Seuss creature!
Casey was the last of my cats to know my mom, who died when I was 16. He kept me connected to her, and when he passed away (at age 16), I mourned very deeply. I had never had a loss so great since my mom died. On the day we took him to the vet to say good-bye, I said to him, “come back to me… let me recognize you easily, and make sure you end up in my arms. I need you. I love you!”
Since losing Casey, I have incurred many financial hardships with my other babies – Dagan and Aurora (surgeries, medicine, vet visits, and diet changes). No price is too high when it comes to my kids! Sadly, though, John was out of work, and my job was very unstable. I was really afraid of being able to feed myself for a while. Still, not a month went by where someone (a friend, stranger or my vet’s office) wouldn’t ask me if I could take in a new cat or kitty. With my finances strained and Dagan & Aurora’s health, I always had to say no. It broke my heart every time. I still feel terrible thinking about all of the kitties that I couldn’t take in. I kept wishing people would stop asking, but everyone knew just how much I loved kitties; so, the inquiries kept coming. Some were very very difficult to turn down. I have shed many many tears over these inquiries. Nothing is harder than saying no to a cat in need or a friend in need to find a home for a cat in need. Breaks my heart! 🙁
Still, I knew if Casey / Aslin ever came back, there’d be no way I could possibly say “no” regardless of my situation. I was hoping to have a few more years to get settled financially and to take care of Dagan and Aurora; but, I don’t control the universe or its timing… so, without any hesitation, I want to let you all know that Casey has come back to me! Please welcome Gracie to our family!
John & I met Gracie when she was just a few weeks old. Our friend Kelly was fostering a mother cat and her kittens. We went over to hang out with Kelly and meet the kitties. They were so cute! I remember falling in love with Gracie immediately! At the time, I was very solid in my decision not to adopt her. I didn’t have a job, nor did I want to bring a new kitty into my home right now.
Over the past two months, every time John mentioned Kelly and the kitties, I’d think about Gracie. I secretly had hoped she was still there so I could see her again. I wanted her to find a great home, but I also really wanted to see her again first.
On Tuesday, John went over to see Kelly and the kitties. When I saw him later that night, he said that Gracie was still available, but all of the other kitties had been adopted out. I was very surprised, but somewhat excited to hear this (for some reason).
The next day, John & I talked about Gracie on IM. He gave me Kelly’s IM; and, she and I talked about her too. What sent me over the edge is when she told me her birthday (Casey’s birthday), and that Gracie had been very nervous at the pet adoptions (Kelly believed this was because Gracie was meant to come home with me). Immediately, I knew… Casey was back! He wanted to make sure he ended up in my arms; so, a pet adoption would have been very scary indeed! I burst into tears of happiness, and ran to the bathroom (at work) to clean my face. I just couldn’t believe it! Casey was back!!!
I immediately called Robin (the adoption supervisor) and arranged to fill out an application. Even though I wasn’t ready for another kitty, there was no way I was going to let Casey spirit end up anywhere but back in my life!
Gracie was born April 1, 2008. Casey was born April 1, 1990.
Gracie is gray, and has the same kitten face as Aslin I.
Gracie & Casey both love(d) to sleep on their backs on my lap with their heads hanging off my knees.
I am sure that there will be many more similarities that I’ll notice in time; but, I also know that Gracie is not just carrying the spirit of Aslin & Casey, she has her own personality traits and expressions that will shine brightly!
Sandy will love having a kitty to play with. Aurora and Dagan will like having Sandy’s attention directed elsewhere. I talked to my vet. He said that a playful kitten would be a very good idea to divert Sandy’s energy away from Dagan & Aurora. Luckily, John has offered to take care of Gracie’s financial needs (food, litter, insurance, vet bills), as I am strapped with Aurora and Dagan’s medical expenses. He’s a wonderful boyfriend! I love how much he loves our kitties!!!
I can’t wait for you to all meet Gracie! I will have many more photos up soon! She moves in on Saturday night! Let me know when you want to come meet her!