These are 3 generations of the awesomeness that is my cats, who had already passed on in consequent years. This is an ode to them:

ELMO & POLAR BEE:
Elmo is of Purcey's generation and Polar Bee is Elmo's only baby. Elmo was a miracle cat. As a kitten, she had terrible conjunctivitis for months, she could barely see let alone play around, I named her Elmo cause it was close to eye-mo (its what I called the eye drops and ointment for her) plus she was constantly in and out of the vet because of something, and she had Polar at an early stage too, but was spayed after. There was this one morning, my mum was at her garden talking to her plants when she heard her meowing and found her lying helplessly. My mum woke me up, rushed to the vet and Elmo was diagnosed with yellow fever and if she wasn't found any sooner, it'd be too late, but blessed it be.

Polar Bee, she was the fattest and biggest cat in the neighbourhood. Everyone thought she was the cutest and she'd stop traffic if they'd see her rolling around in the garden. Polar was fat from the beginning, the vet thought she was pregnant only to find out that it was just fat, even after spaying her. She'd run up the hill, pause and use the stairs; it was hilarious, whenever I play with all of them, she'd be the laziest to jump. I can still remember vividly how she forgets her size and dumps herself on my lap, curling in and get comfy. I used to wear a big tshirt and carry her in it, just like a big baby.

PURCEY:
My brother found her on the night of my 11th birthday (10/08/1995). At that time I was wondering where'd my purse go and thats how I named her. She was the Queen B of the house, the only one who slept with me in my bed for 11 years. When she was diagnosed with CRF (renal failure), I didn't tell anyone that she had only 23% of her kidney, which was technically at the last stage but I know her will to live was very strong that she lived for another almost 10 months until she lost the battle. It was such an emotional rollercoaster for me because I knew what was coming, I had no idea how was I to deal with it, I know I can't be alone.

It was Wednesday morning, Purcey had her 3 times a week dialysis at the vet and I had just walked home. That morning, my boyfriend's grandmother passed away, my parents and brother had gone off to work and my sister left for college. I was by myself when the vet called and said she needs me now because it's not looking up for her. Thoughts about how playful she was the night before and how she didn't wake me up to get out of my room went racing in my head. I hyperventilated, get a hold of myself, called my family and walked back to the vet mentally and emotionally unprepared. I knew I couldn't fall apart, not with her in such pain. I sang her song (Lullaby by Mel.B) until my family showed up. My brother had to sign the release form . We all walked back home, I carried her the way I always have, cuddled and wrapped like a baby. It took her 2 and a half hours to exhale her final breath. Her body went cold and numb in my arms. That was when my heart was hit by a tiny debris that shattered into a million pieces.

Purcey was the cat who thought she was human. And it took just her alone, to become the only one I needed to face what I thought I couldn't bear.

Her illness and passing shed new, brighter lights about my perception on this country's animal welfare and lack of compassion, knowledge, information and awareness. I will and I am going to witness change, make change and be part of the change. It's not my goal for the change, I won't aim because hitting it would imply its done.