Dear Josie:

My sweet baby, I can’t believe how far we’ve come. Last October, we came to the shelter looking for you, and there you were, snuggled at the bottom of the litter. Your fuzzy little gray face and tiny pink nose melted my heart and as soon as I held you, I knew that you were my baby. Only a handful then, you walked into our home and assumed the role of Queen of the Castle. You were so comfortable with us from day one, I couldn’t believe how well you fit into our lives. I’m so sorry that you were so sick the first few months of your life. I hated to have to give you that yucky medicine! I almost cried every time we had to wrap you up and force it down. But it was to make you better, and now we can see that it was worth it. I’m sorry I had to humiliate you by wiping your butt every time you used the litter box. You were such a tiny little baby, you just had to have help with that. And I’m really sorry for torturing you with the butt baths at such a young age. It was the only way to get you clean sometimes! Now you have grown into a beautiful and loving cat. You are so healthy and strong. I love your playful sense and the morning conversations that we have. Most of all, I feel like you have been my guardian angel. There have been times in the past year that have been extremely stressful and it seems that every time I would feel depressed or sad, you would do something to lift my spirits. I’m so happy that you’ll spend your life with us, Josie. I hope that you’re as happy.