If you’re one of the twelve people who know my life, you no doubt feel my sadness at the mere mention of the word felicity.
Felicity means happiness.
Happiness is what my beloved kitty, Felicity, gave me for eleven precious years.
2008
She was a beautiful bitch kitty. Yes, she was a bitch cat. Her affections were rarely obtained by anyone else.
I loved her.
She loved me.
We had one of those bonds that you cannot explain to someone who hasn’t felt such an affinity with an animal.
She loved me, veterinarians, and my friend True (who practically lives in a zoo) — that’s it. She merely tolerated everyone else she encountered, including my husband and my children.
My nephew would ask me, “Joey, why she *hiss* like dat to me?”
“She’s fussy,” I’d say.
When I got my first place, I searched the classifieds for a calico kitten, because I’d had such good experiences with them. Calicos always seem sweeter and more affectionate to me. My mother and I went to pick out a kitten. None of the calicos liked me. But this little gray ball of fluff climbed up my chest and mewed at me until I paid her attention.
My mother said, “This one.”
“But I wanted a calico.”
“I know, but this one loves you. You don’t choose a cat, a cat chooses you.”
So I took that little gray puffball home…
1998
…to love her for too short a time.
She hid so well I thought she’d slipped out the door. Tiny kittens sleep in mysterious womb-like places humans don’t think about, like laundry baskets, under the tiny eaves of furniture, behind the books on the shelf…
She slept with me every night. We frequently fell asleep holding paws. I often woke up with her on my pillow, curved around my head.
When I came home from work, she’d cry her heart out and walk to and fro on my bed while I changed my clothes. Sometimes she did not wait for me to finish, and she’d leap onto me.
This cat would literally jump into my arms.
If I reached for her, she’d reach up for me and jump, as Clara does now. But with Felicity, I could stand tall and pat my chest and she’d take the leap.
She climbed the door jambs when she was feisty.
She hunted birds and left them at the door.
She perched on the edge of the tub while I bathed.
She never minded a her bi-annual bath in the sink.
She was the first cat I had who drank from the bathroom faucet, although all since her have done so.
She stood underfoot while I cooked.
She always came to my lap when I made one.
She’d offer up her tummy at night when no one else was around.
Felicity was perfect in her cat-ness.
She was my best companion in a way that only animals can be.
Cancer took her swiftly. Sarcoma. I asked how many months. The vet said we’d need to put her down within days.
So now, I have memories and photos. For years, I kept Felicity’s collar and tags, but every time I’d encounter them, I’d think about when I took them off, and I wanted to remember her life, not her death. I had to throw them out for my own good.
I had a kitteh-shaped hole in my heart for a long time. Yes, we had other cats. Yes, I love(d) them. As I said, she was special. She will always be special.
Clara is the cat who filled that kitteh-shaped hole in my heart. She’s the neediest, talkiest, spoiled cat ever. (I blame the half-Siamese in her.) She’s my baaa-by. With her, I went to get a gray kitten, but she’s the one who chose me.
Much like people, pets are not replaceable. But a human can be lucky to get chosen again.
Have you experienced such a connection with a particular pet?
Just Jot it January is brought to you by LindaGHill
joeyfullystated 
I have not. You are lucky. 🙂 Love the picture of her tucked into your overalls.
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Thanks — it’s one of my faves 🙂 That was the day I brought her home.
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Awww. Thanks for sharing that with us. 🙂
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My pleasure. I couldn’t believe the prompt.
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Awww. I do miss her. My mocha was the one for me. He put on a show for me when I went to choose him. He was barky and jumpy and licky! He slept in laundry baskets, in my lap, in the bed and now he sleeps in my heart. Such a sweet special boy he was. I’ve tried to fill the puppy hole in my heart but the closest fit is my Dixie. I will have another hole when she’s gone. But I wouldn’t trade it for the wonderful love they’ve given me. 🐾❤️
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I understand. That Dixie is a great family pet, a really good dog, but she’s not your Mocha.
I always remember Mocha dressed as corn on the cob 😛
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I spent days making that costume! He was a corn dog! Haha.
I always remember cheeseburgers for licity. ❤
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I would hope everyone has had a connection like that with an animal. It sure hurts when they go but I can’t imagine never having them at all. Glad you had Felicity.
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Thank you, me too 🙂
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Osco.
Loved that damn cat.
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I don’t remember Osco, although I recall the name. Just before Soot & The Boy One? or long ago? Next time we chat, hm?
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Yep, Ill tell you about him.
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Quinn and Ally. Two Main Coon siblings. That picture of adult Felicity could be him. I miss them . . .
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I’m sorry you’ve had a similar experience. I like to think we gave them wonderful lives — as much as they gave to us. Thanks for commenting.
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I am a better person for having known them.
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I’ve loved all my kitties- but I’m still missing my Dude. As Felicity chose you, he definitely chose me- climbing all over me at the Humane Society when I went looking for a new baby. They all have such individual personalities- there will never be another guy like him. Thanks for triggering some lovely memories. xo
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Thanks for your comment. I’m sorry about Dude.
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“Much like people, pets are not replaceable. But a human can be lucky to get chosen again.” I couldn’t agree more with this statement. Thank you for this blog post, Joey.
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Thank YOU, Karen 🙂
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I never had a cat and I’m only on my second dog. The first lived happily for 13.5 years and with him the entire family died a little. Bestia will be 3 soon. Don’t ask me again in 10 years.
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I understand.
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What a beautiful kitty! She looks like a Maine Coon Cat. I can understand how you felt about Felicity. I feel the same way about my Clementine kitty. 🙂 💛
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Thanks 🙂 Aw, yeah, Clementine 🙂
Felicity was actually petite, only about 6.5lbs, but her fur gave her real presence.
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Felicity sounds lovely.
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❤
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I am sorry that you lost your buddy after such a short time. I’ve never had a cat take to me like that, but my wife has. I have stories about being shunned, ignored and attacked by her cat. It’s a special bond and I’m glad that you enjoyed it for a while.
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It sounds a bit like you and The Mister share a special bond — of the ignored and attacked! 😛
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Yes. That’s us.
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I’m a dog guy, but the connection is the same. There is one that stood above all the rest, even though I loved them all.
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I sometimes worry that this dog will be the death of me. I love this dog somethin fierce. Dogs are definitely different.
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That is a beautiful, heartfelt tribute to Felicity Joey. I was really touched.
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Your mother was so right! Lovely though heart-breaking tribute to your kitty. Sorry for your loss.
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This was a lovely tribute to Felicity. ❤
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I know what you mean about that connection, so I’m sorry you lost your companion
I have had a similar connection and when I lost Karla, my German shepherd/Doberman/collie cross, I wrote these posts as a tribute…
http://diaryofaninternetnobody.com/2012/11/21/dog-days-occasional-tales-of-life-with-my-people/
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Yep, had that bond with my Sweet Pea. She was my soul-dog. I miss her every day. I love Butthead and Le Moo, but there was a much deeper connection with Sweet Pea. I don’t imagine I’ll have that again with another dog, but it doesn’t mean I won’t love and adore the current or future dogs that come into my life!
I’m glad you had that with Felicity. Everyone should get to experience that kind of connection. The world would be a better place for it.
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Oh I recall reading so much of Sweet Pea tales ❤ I know you did have that bond.
Dogs are different from cats. I love my dog like a child. Not like some ethereal unknowable being as a cat, but like a child.
I dread Sadie's last day. I hope she has a particularly long and wonderful life, because she sure has been my best anti-anxiety mate ❤
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Yep. Was just talking about her today because she was with us for Snowmageddon. We’re bracing for lots of snow (as we speak it’s comin’ down!) and were talking about how Hub had to shovel big paths out into the yard so she could go out to pee and poop. She couldn’t even see over the snow it was so high. Today/tomorrow’s snow fall might be close to that, or more!
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Oh boy! Well I hope the dogs will make outside! Stay warm — I hope you’re prepared and that your power stays on! 🙂
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They’re going to have to figure out how to get out there. Prolly Hub will have to shovel at least a bit of a path out to the grass.
We’re as prepared as we can be. It’s the power issue that has me concerned. But again, at least we have lots of blankets and body fat. 😉
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She sounds amazing. ❤
I haven't personally made such a connection, but Little Man did with his first dog, who died unexpected after a couple years. That beagle had eyes for no one but him. She wouldn't let him get in a strange car (when my in-laws got a new one and picked him up) without us present, she would find toys he left outside and leave them next to his side of the car. She'd also try to tear the head off of any other animal that approached him.
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Thank you, she was.
I love that for LM. A boy and his dog. Does he remember? What a good, loyal dog.
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Yeah, she died two years ago this April and he still has a really tough time with it. He asked for another dog and we got him one, and he loves Eli, but it is nothing like the relationship with the first dog.
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I understand.
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Oh, yes yes yes! I didn’t have a cat until I was a grownup, but I’ve had some real love-bundles. My first one came with the name of Tiffany. She would just as soon take anybody’s hand off but mine until the baby was born. She was always MY cat, but the baby could do anything and Tiffany would purr. When she passed at age 19, a little gray kitten fell out of the peach tree at my feet. That was Katya, and she was my honey baby until she had a massive stroke at age 14 and had to be put down. Then I adopted a 15-year-old calico named Amidala, who is heart of my heart. How is it possible to love these little creatures with such huge love?? I’m so sorry for your loss, and so glad you have another special kitteh friend. ❤
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Oh, there is no love like the love of a pet who chooses you.
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So nice to read this – and what a special gem -felicity was😊💛sorry about the cancer – and we can’t have cats – hubs and children have allergies to them – but about ten years ago a friend who used to live in the country met a cat who came to her back door and her story of how they “bonded” is very similar to yours and Fs….. Such a special connection – but for me – I only know it with dogs (woof)
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I do understand exactly how you feel, I have been there. I have been chosen by a cat as well and she is still in my life (with her sister) eleven years later.
I also have a very special rescued dog who’s been with us for 4 years now, living a wonderful live after being severely neglected and abused for the first 3 years of his life. I swear, this dog is grateful to me for saving him. I have an exceptional bond with him as well. I often feel privileged to have these amazing four-legged creatures in my life.
I love them.
Thanks for sharing your story with Felicity.
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I am sad you had Felicity ♡ and then had to find another. I like how cats find you! 🙂 Your Clara sounds like another sweet, attached cat. I liked your photo with the baby sling and kitty. 🙂
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Yes, it seems they all like me, at feeding time. I do have one who chose me as his human. He hisses at anybody trying to pet him.
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Aw so sweet reading about your bond with Felicity. ❤ I love the picture of you with her in the bib of your overalls. Too cute. Both of you! 🙂
Although I'm all about my cats now, my most precious companion was my dog Junior. There's still a dog-shaped hole in my heart from the loss of him 10 years ago…
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Thanks, Jewels 🙂
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I am so sorry you lost Felicity too soon, Joey. Connections like that are rare. I had such a connection with my Birman, Lynx. If you want to read about him, I wrote this post recently: https://asthefateswouldhaveit.wordpress.com/2016/01/29/a-melancholy-day/
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I will read it in just a bit, thanks for your correspondence 🙂
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welcome, Joey 🙂 no rush, just whenever you feel inclined 🙂
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