Boots

When Boots wanted to be picked up, she'd wind between my feet meowing up at me. And when I'd bend down to reach for her, she'd stand on her back legs and reach up as tall as she could and hold that stretch while I lifted her and placed her on my shoulder. Then she'd kiss my forehead. That was our special little routine and it brought me so much joy every day.

Boots was a rescue found on a dirt road at only a few weeks old, and blessed my life for all of her 13 years. She came into my life when my oldest was just a cute little toddler and Boots was the size of a fruit pouch! They loved each other deeply, and played together every day! My toddler helped Boots learn to eat and use the litter box! Boots grew, and grew up into an incredible cat. She was with me through some of the worst and best times in my life, and was there through all of my following pregnancies, and welcomed each of her new human siblings equally. She just loved those baby snuggles! It's so special to me that she was with me through so much of my motherhood journey, and I'm so grateful for those thousands of hours spent cuddling together.