Cleopatra Meowington

March 3, 2002, I went to the Stillwater Humane Society dead set on coming home with a cute little kitty. I was a college girl out to find her very own pet. I narrowed it down to two cats Adina and Socks. I took some time playing with the two cats to see who was the most playful. Since there were no kittens to choose from I wanted a cat that would play with me. Socks was an ordinary calico cat who really didn't want much to do with me. Adina was a long hair tortoise colored cat. She also was very playful. Adina would be mine! A few days later I changed her name to Cleopatra aka "Cleo". To me she represented the Egyptian sphinx the way she so regally sat on the floor, so it seemed only proper to name her after an Egyptian Queen.

Of course like many college students I had gotten a pet which was against my apartment rules. There were times when I had to hide her in my closet when the maintenance man would come. I also put Plexiglas across my windows so that she couldn't sit in them during the day while I was in class. All these shenanigans were worth it, because I loved her so very much. She was my buddy. Every night we would cuddle up and fall fast asleep together.

I remember one night in particular. I had my arm over Cleo all cuddled up fast asleep. When all of the sudden I felt a sharp pain in my bicep, and felt Cleo pounce out of bed. I woke up and turned on my light. My arm was bleeding and the sheet was torn. I looked and Cleo was chasing a beetle on the ground, such the protector. Haha. I guest she had used my arm and the sheets as her pushing off point to go after her prey. I was bruised for a week, but laughed with my family and friends about getting beat up by my cat.

Cleo was with me through break ups, late nights, and celebrations. If I was ever upset Cleo would head bump me, as if to say "it's okay, I'm here for you". She would let me cry and soaked up my tears with her fur. We got together Cleo's "friends" to celebrate birthdays. Her BFF's were Rosco and Dixie.

Cleo never really liked guys, so when she immediately warmed up to Tim I knew he was a keeper. I told him Cleo is part of the package. We joke that Cleo was the one he was after and I just tagged along.

When Tim and I married, every night we would all get into bed together to watch TV. Cleo would cuddle up on Tim's chest. Then every morning when we opened the door she would jump up on my side of the bed and purr happily in my ear. She would nudge my face with her nose and give my cheek or sometimes eye lid a lick. 

Then along came new additions to the family, Ace and Annie. I am sure she thought, "why, oh why did you bring dogs to our perfect home?". She quickly told them who was boss, by boxing them in the face.

Finally, came Addison. I was nervous at first. You hear all the crazy cat and baby stories. But Cleo was tender, loving, and most important tolerant of a new baby and eventual toddler. Sometimes I would find Cleo snuggled on the soft changing table pad, or even in Addison's crib. Cleo allowed Addy to snuggle, carry, pet, and slobber kiss her. Addy would be so excited to get home and see Cleo.

Recently, Cleo has been having health issues and old kitty problems. I knew deep down inside what was going to have to happen. We found out Tuesday that Cleo was just not doing well and her good days were limited. We asked the vet to give us a few more days with her so we could get in just a few more snuggles, nose kisses and head nudges. I never knew just how upset I would be. I completely lost it when I realized what we had to do, and these past few days have been really sucky. I have done a lot of crying in her precious fur. There will never be another cat quite like Cleo. I love you my furry little girl, and I will see you again some day. Until then I hope you have fun frolicking and eating unlimited amounts of gravy in Heaven.