Little did I know.

My love of cats has been around long before the famous floof you know & love came to be. This edition will explain how Noelle entered my life and what prompted my love for cats.

I was the only one in my family who loved cats, something I could never quite understand. My parents had them throughout the years, including a psycho cat named Kiko that attacked a family friend’s face. An ambush from behind the toilet (now that I think about it would be hard to trust any feline after that). Nevertheless, my family's affection for cats was more for a mere accessory than a companion.

Luckily for me, I saw a different side of them. The loving, fluffy, sarcastic ball of energy that cats are - not just love all the time. Now, I'll admit, to dog lovers, that is quite the draw, especially when things seem at their worst. Cats, however, are just so real. They see things as they are and react as such. If you treat them wrong, they will sh*t in your bed. You give them love, and they'll make you whole. It was that exchange that made me learn so much. A simple transaction that boils down to the good ole saying, "treat others how you want to be treated,"

A pet who legitimately mentors you? Us humans ought to take pointers. I love it.

I love cats.

Festus was a loving tabby who entered my life at five years old. Though she resented the rest of my family, she was always at my side purring and comforting me through thick and thin. 

Festus was an indoor cat, but she had become skittish and a door darter over the course of a move. Unfortunately, the odds were not in her favor one night, and when she slipped out to do cat things, she never returned. We only found out later that the food chain had taken its course. F*ck coyotes.

My cat – teacher – if you will. Gone. Never did I think existentially until that day. How could such a thing happen? I will never find a better cat—a better friend. You can pet your cat, and it'll purr and cuddle to help you through tough times, but not your friends - that'd be weird. Plus, humans are complicated and constantly need conversation or money. Put simply that won't play.

My family thankfully saw Festus’ value as I did, which prompted the search for another four-legged wise floof. Where to start? I have no idea! You can never choose a cat; a cat chooses you!

We looked around for a while - too long, I will admit. No cat was right. One day, we found ourselves at Rocky Mountain Cat Rescue. My sister was uberly sick at the time, and she could care less what we got to fulfill the void left after Festus passed. Nonetheless, we pressed on against her will and stepped into a chaotic room filled with cats from all walks of life—a feline metropolis.

As we scoured the masses to find the one, my sister sat in the corner, anxiously waiting to leave. Given her attitude, I resented the idea of her choosing the house feline. It was my right; I was the only one who even cared for a floof!  So, as my brother, parents, and I looked elsewhere, a curious little Siamese wandered to my sister's foot.

While she was getting acquainted with the later-to-be *bap* star, I was attempting to rid myself of a kitten attached to my crotch. I went to my sister to find this derpy little thing propped in her lap. Oh my, I thought to myself. My sister looks at me with utter carelessness and goes, "This one." "No!" I said. I couldn't bear the thought of this choice being made on a whim. I pushed Noelle off. Why should my sister get a choice? She didn’t even want to be there.  

Upon further review of the play, I’m not fond of my actions. Thankfully, this burnt walking marshmallow pushed through my anger and indecisiveness, jumped on her lap once more, and made it clear she was the one to stay.

Out of spite, my sister says again, "This one." Grudgingly, I caved; perhaps she was right. And boy, was she.

As we rode home, I could undoubtedly feel the hole being filled by our new addition. "I have a cat once more!" I said. I had no idea what was coming, but at that moment, I could feel it would be something special. Little did I know, however, that something special would be shared with all of you.