Random Blog Post 1: Kaia

Remebering Kaia 

    Last Tuesday on February 13th, my fifteen year old cat Kaia passed away. I never thought I would be able to have a connection with an animal like I did with her. She had been sick for a while, but I never really believed the day would come when she wouldn’t be in my life. I grew up with her and had gone through many stages of my life with her by my side. While I have been very sad, I have been thinking about some of my favorite memories with her over the years. 

    I was eight and my family and I were flying back from Disney World and talking about names I wanted for a cat if I got one. I had been obsessing over getting a cat my whole childhood because I always loved animals. When my grandpa picked us up from the airport and brought us home, two little kittens were huddled in the back of a crate waiting for us to arrive. We named them Kaia and Bitty. Kaia because it was the first letter of all the members of my family combined (Kellie, Aaron, Isabella and Alyssa), and Bitty because she was itty bitty. They were Ragdolls and sisters from the same litter. That day my life was changed forever. My whole life revolved around playing with them, making houses out of cardboard and duct tape for them, and cuddling with them. As they got older, Kaia grew into her personality and it seemed like we really understood each other. She would make me laugh, be there for me when I cried, and even sit with us at the dinner table in her own chair, enjoying the moment.

    All this reflection made me realize how much a pet has shaped who I am and so many of my childhood and adult memories. It has also made me realize how much more she was than just a pet to me. I hope that everyone gets to experience the type of love and friendship that I got to share with Kaia. I am so lucky to have had her in my life and I will always be grateful for the memories we made together.