Good bye, Princess !

I lost a friend - well, you might say, it was "only a cat", but she was more than just "a cat". She was a member of our family and  a good companion for more than 12 years. And on Friday I had to go to the vet and have her put down.

I got her when she was 11 weeks old and we had a close relationship. She had an incredible air of arrogance about her and seemed to be well aware of the fact that in ancient Egypt she might have been worshipped as a goddess. She was a real princess - but also a real cat who could live a real cat's life roaming the gardens of the neighbourhood, hunting and supplying the household with food.

I miss having to fight for access to my bed, my desk and my computer keyboard.  I miss nearly stepping on her when I walk into the kitchen.  I miss spending winter evenings opening and closing the balcony door, because a cat is always on the wrong side of a door. She was seldom satisfied with the service she got from me - and she never failed to tell me off. And I miss it.

And she was there when I needed someone to cuddle because I was sad. She listened patiently to everything I told her - and living together with her taught me that love and freedom can go together.

Bye bye, my dear friend - I am listening to our favourite music and thinking of you. And I am grateful that you shared my life.

Whose bed ?