My beautiful Cali was with me for almost 14 years. She was one of the sweetest and most joyful souls I have ever known. Someone took her to my vet’s office so she could be adopted and that’s where I first saw her. I took her home to meet my other cat Sammy who desperately needed a companion. They got along very well and spent 9 years together until Sammy died in 2009. Cali loved curling up with me to watch TV; she loved to play with her bird on a wire toy; she loved napping in a sunbeam; she loved life. She taught me about finding happiness in the simplest of things, for she would often purr for no apparent reason. My heart aches now that she is gone, but I’m glad she is free of the suffering she endured the last 10 days of her life. I picture her in a field somewhere, running and playing with my sweet Sammy and enjoying feeling good. I will miss her for the rest of my life, and I will always be grateful for the wonderful years we had together.