When my sister’s friend offered my family a kitten from a stray in our backyard, I was over the moon about it. Our mom wasn’t too optimistic and told us to do some research to prove that my sister and I were capable of raising a cat. So we did and got the kitten. I named him Oreo, because of his black and white coat of fur. He doesn’t have the perfect tuxedo, but in my eyes, he is perfect in every way. He makes me laugh when I need to relax, and he silently comforts me when I am distraught.

He was 8 weeks old when we got him, and now he is 1 ½ years old. Time has flown by, and he is my constant source of comfort, especially when I need it the most. Whenever I am feeling down or stressed out, he always seems to know what to do to make me feel better. Whether it’s curling up next to me and purring softly, or playfully chasing after a toy, he never fails to lift my mood and bring a smile to my face. I am so grateful for his unwavering love and companionship, and I feel incredibly lucky to have him in my life.

He is such a unique cat; I will never trade him for anything in the world. His pet peeves are when someone is breathing too hard, when you are scratching your mosquito bites, and when you stare at him too long. He has great hearing and can track down flies and eat them before we have the chance to swat them. Oreo loves to look out the window, growling at the neighbor’s cats, and imitating bird chirps. Oreo is very curious, loves to explore new places, and has developed a taste for human food. Oreo will steal a piece of fish or meat whenever we are looking the other way, or else he takes a sip of my milk when I leave to take care of matters. Whenever Oreo sees a lizard on our front porch, he gets excited, runs in a circle, and goes back to the sofa to observe it.

So Oreo, thank you for greeting me every morning with your energetic energy, furry cuddles, and mini trots around the house. Although your eating habits are a little too messy (meat bits all over the table and ground and excessive munching) and you don’t pay rent, you are always welcome in the house. Here’s to many years of happiness and cuddles.