Murphy MacGregor Holland I adopted Murphy in November 2024, shortly after losing my beloved kitty, Frankie, to cancer. The silence was deafening after the loss of Frankie and I knew my heart had space for another kitty. I also knew, for whatever reason, that I was drawn to adopting a senior kitty. I found Murphy at NoCo Humane, where he had been for two months. He was 16 years old at the time. I sat down on the floor of the space where Murphy was being housed and he promptly walked into my lap. Love at first sight for me, and acceptance of a new beginning for him. Murphy was a very serious kitty. Even play was serious: he was fast and accurate catching his wand toys and his whole demeanor said “I am hunting and I will get the prey.” Murph wasn’t very vocal. In fact, it took about a month before I heard him meow. Sometimes he’d meow out loud but most of the time it was muffled, like he was meowing with his mouth closed, kind of a “meommmppph.” It always made me smile. Murphy immediately made himself at home, and quickly figured out that he could use the coffee table as a kind of “runway” to access the L-shaped couch and nearby chairs. No need to jump down to the floor on his arthritic legs and paws! Just get to the coffee table and step off to whichever soft cushion suited his fancy. Most nights he slept on my bed, pressed against my side. In the mornings, he would turn to face me and stretch his long, skinny forelegs out across me and give my nose or chin a good lick. He loved crunchy treats and his catnip sock toy. During workdays when I was at my standing desk next to the couch, he would sit on the arm of the couch and tap-tap-tap my hip, which was my cue to sit down and give him some lap-time lovin’. I knew that adopting a super-senior kitty most likely meant I would be managing health issues and that our time together might be short. Murph did end up with health issues, issues that did, indeed, shorten our time together. But I do not regret my decision to adopt him, not for a second. My goal was to provide a loving, caring home to a senior kitty for whatever length of time we would have together. Murphy and I were together only a short 10 months. I wish so much that we had had more time, but what would be worse is if we had never even met at all. In the end, he was able to leave from the comfort and safety of home, surrounded by love, held close in my arms. I love you, Murphy MacGregor, my sweet Little Dude. Thank you for the privilege of sharing in the last part of your life. You will live in my heart forever and always.