In memory of Zoe

This is Zoe - my little angel with whiskers, my beautiful, wonderful, affectionate, curious, adventurous, brave, determined, delicate, sensitive, clever, unique fur baby. The name Zoe means life. And boy was she full of life and she loved life! I adopted Zoe and her sister Amber at the very end of October 2022. They were still kittens, about 5 months old. So Zoe WAS my baby.  On the 19th of February 2024, around 7pm, Zoe was hit on her head by a car right outside her house on a quiet residential road and died (hopefully instantly). She was not even 2 years old!! She could have had so many happy years ahead of her but instead her life was so painfully short.  Zoe loved being in the garden.  After I adopted her she first came out into the garden only in late April 2023. This new unknown “room” was frightening for her at first and she took her time to come out. But when she finally did, there was no way back. She loved it!! She could sit on top of the fence for hours watching birds in the neighbours’ garden. I can still see her sitting on the fence with her red collar…  or galloping across the lawn home… or catching flies in the grass…. or running in circles chasing her sister… When she was curious about something I had in my hands, or when she wanted me to stroke her, she would raise her left paw and spread her tiny fluffy fingers as if she was saying “bring it closer, let me see, let me see” or “pet me, mummy, pet me”… this image of her’s is burnt in my brain.  She had the quietest meows, as if she didn’t dare to be loud and was whispering… She was a really tiny cat. I was always comparing her to a beautiful delicate flower. She was so sensitive!! I always wanted to put an invisible cover above her to protect her from all the bad things in the world. And I failed. I cannot stop thinking ”if only I kept her inside that evening….” But she loved the garden so much! She was my first cat-baby. I was hoping she would live to be 20 years old… I loved her enormously. I know she loved me back. I could see it in her eyes when she was looking at me. I know I’ve given her a very happy life however short. But there were still a million of cuddles and kisses to give her, games to play with her, treats to give her…  I love and miss you, my sweet wonderful baby!

by Ruta Malinauskaite