You chose me in January 1999. I only went to the pet store to get a carrier and litter box, planning on getting a kitten the next day. You followed me around the gigantic cage (all the shelter cats were in a large multilevel cage) pushing your head against the bars and purring. The woman running the shelter was amazed, you had been there 6 months and had never shown any interest in anyone. She asked me to sit with you to see how you would respond. Half an hour later, as you were still curled up on my lap purring, I asked her to pick out a litter box and carrier for me since I couldn't leave you there even overnight. Obviously you had been waiting for me long enough.
We had a few rough nights of no sleep, I even thought maybe you missed the other cats and would be happier in another home, but you quickly settled in and became the most loving, best behaved cat ever. You were never happier than when you were being petted, although you could never stand still for it. You always stood up and walked laps as soon as anyone touched your head. If we took your walking as a sign you were done and we were wrong, a tap of your paw would let us know. I would even wake up to you head butting my hand, trying to get it on top of your head so I would pet you in my sleep.
You loved to sleep in the sun, finding any little patch to stretch out it even if it was on the hard tile floor. You loved to carry your toys around the house (and LP's stuffed animals too) making the funniest talking sounds as you carried them up the stairs and into the bedroom to drop them on the bed or on the floor next to me. I'm glad those were the only presents you ever brought me.
You tolerated so many changes that I put you through. The addition of Lilypad Dad, Forster, and even LP. You adjusted easily to 3 moves, from the apartment to the condo to our house. You managed to win Lilypad Dad over, he thinks you are the reason that he and I ended up together. You took care of Forster and became a surrogate mother when I brought him home as a terrified kitten. You taught him the rules of the house and kept him in line, playing chase with him even through last week. You watched over LP when she was an infant, snuggling right up to her on the pillow the day she came home from the hospital. You learned to keep your distance during her rougher phases, but you were so good with her lately even when she carried you up to her bed and dressed you up.
For the last 10.5 years you have been by my side through everything. You knew when I was sad and needed a warm, purring body on my lap. You made me laugh when you were in a playful mood. I was never lonely because you were always there with me. You made friends with everyone who walked into the house, friends, family, repairmen, even people who claimed not to be cat people. You showed everyone love, and you were very loved. We will miss you Sydney.
