📝😿💔 The Circle of Friendship Has Lost a Gentleman

There are days when even a queen has very little to say.

Today is one of those days.

This afternoon, Zoeff went to sleep for the last time.

Zoeff was the cat of the parents of my humans, but that is merely the official family administration version. In my books, he belonged to something much more important.

He was part of my Circle of Friendship.

And today, that circle feels a little emptier.

Zoeff was eighteen years old. Eighteen.

For a cat, that is not simply an age. That is a career.

Eighteen years of choosing the best sleeping places. Eighteen years of watching humans make questionable decisions. Eighteen years of meals, naps, familiar voices, favourite corners and all those tiny daily rituals that eventually become a whole life.

And Zoeff was a fighter.

A strong one.

He kept going when things became difficult, with that remarkable determination cats have. We do not make speeches about courage. We simply carry on for as long as we can.

And Zoeff carried on.

Until today.

Eventually, even the strongest fighter deserves to put down his duties. There comes a moment when staying is harder than leaving, and love means allowing someone to rest.

His humans gave him that final kindness this afternoon.

I think that may be one of the hardest duties humans are ever asked to perform.

Usually, I consider humans to be creatures in need of considerable supervision and continuing education. But sometimes they understand exactly what love requires.

Today was one of those times.

So there will be no complaints from the Royal Household this evening. No policy updates. No reports concerning inadequate service or unauthorised occupation of my furniture.

Tonight, I shall simply think of an old gentleman named Zoeff.

Eighteen years old.

A strong fighter.

A much-loved cat.

And a member of my Circle of Friendship.

Some members of the circle are close enough to touch. Others live in our memories. But once you have truly belonged to it, you never really leave.

Sleep peacefully, dear Zoeff.

Your shift is over.

We will take it from here.

Yours,
Mrs. Cotton 🐱🐾