JoJo had a rough start in life, but she and I hit it off right away at the animal shelter when she was about a year old, and she came home with me. It took us a while to figure each other out, but eventually, we grew into a really deep and special bond where it often felt like we could read each other’s minds. She always knew when I needed cheering up and was happy to curl up next to me and purr for awhile.
JoJo was quirky and funny and very, very clever, keeping me and my other cat on our toes. Her favorite toy in the world was a sock that got mixed into our laundry shortly after I adopted her, which she carried around for 12 years. Her favorite song was “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and always came running when I sang it, even if she was in a bad mood. She bit my fingers gently several times a day to say “I love you” and loved it when I grabbed her whole face in my hand. JoJo went for hikes in the woods with me, riding on my shoulder and occasionally asking to get down so she could climb a tree or chase a bird. She liked walking on a leash, while wearing a shark costume. She always snuggled up when I was sick, and once brought me her 3 most favorite toys when I had a fever.
She had renal failure for a full, happy, energetic 5 years before it was suddenly time to say goodbye at the age of 13. I was so thankful for the wonderful years together, and for the gentle and loving goodbye that we had. The vet always tactfully referred to her as “spicy” but she was always my sweet, my wonderful, my marvelous girl.