Stinkin', Linkin' Leo

Seven years ago today, I met the amazing cat we all know as Leo.

This year for Leo was one that included finally getting used to his adopted sister, Nora. We thought it might never happen, but slowly they have become... not exactly always friends, but definitely siblings. Now they will sleep next to each other (never touching), they often play-fight, and I hardly ever hear hissing anymore. It is a relief, and they are so cute together it makes me glad that Leo now has a partner in crime. I have never seen Leo act so young.

This year Leo used up a few more of his nine lives. There were several time this last year that I wondered if we might end up Leo-less. His experiment with the chain link fence almost a year ago didn't go well, and he hasn't said much about his first experience with kitty CPR (through the nose, for those of you wondering). Leo also tried the staying "out" for days this summer (especially fun since we had to leave for the Boundary Waters in the middle of it). Leo's latest stunt included a puncture wound and surgery for an abcess this fall, with a side of the fleas. That increasingly gray hair around his eyes is no mystery- he has earned every piece of it. (He would claim the baths haven't helped).

Leo continues to be the master of the neighborhood, becoming even more loved and adored this year. He climbs chain-link fences as a human would, he keeps our gardens bunny rabbit-free, and demonstrates his physical prowess by rapidly climbing trees after a sprint across the front yard. He often can be spotted in cheetah mode- running with his tail arched and his eyes wild. Leo also spends a fair amount of time lounging as well- his favorite spot is in the mulch on sunny days. He is also not opposed to rolling on his back on the sidewalk or greeting his friends all over the neighborhood with his "jump and love" technique. This year he has stepped up his "getting to know you campaign" in the neighborhood by door knocking and entering people's homes uninvited. The best Leo story of the year is of K and P getting ready for bed in the bathroom, only to find him sitting in their hallway watching them.

Now that Leo is done mourning the loss of his "only-kitty" status, he has returned to being the master of the household. He now frequently joins me on the couch once again, and has returned to being extremely vocal- chirping, grunting, mewing, and exclaiming, "rnt" in response to things we say to him. (this is usually indicating a strong preference for loves or outside, or both). My least favorite things about Leo's return to boldness is his propensity to chirp all around the bed in the middle of the night in order to get Nora to come down and play.


So as another year passes us by, and Leo's real age and origin remains a mystery, I thank God that I found him or he me. He continues to fill every day of mine with love, good old fashioned silliness, or just plain fun. And as I celebrate each year longer that we have been buddies, I also know that he will not live forever, and that at some point he will leave my life the same way he entered it- with no warning, carrying his spirit with him. So Happy February 7th Leo and happy seven years of our life together!