I was running errands with my cool, reusable cat print bag, and the store clerk commented, “You must be a cat owner.”

I’m super honest in my replies, so I shared, “yeah, I was a cat owner, but I’m still definitely a cat person.”

It still hurts sometimes, as I miss my Sumo Kitty.

Grief is a funny thing. It sneaks up on you. Granted, this is me missing my cat, so grief can feel and behave differently for everyone and for the unique loved one whom you’ve lost. You don’t know how an offhand comment will land sometimes, like it hit me on my recent errands.

That moment was a reminder, though, that I’m still remembering my legendary Sumo Kitty, who was with me through most of my adult life, during my first job out of college, when I was newly engaged and living several states away.

Any companion of that many years will leave a mark on your life and in your heart. I’m grateful for all of that! It’s what I signed up for when we agreed to take a tiny, adorable, last one from her litter kitten into our home.

I went into my favorite local boutique to shop for a sympathy card for a colleague who lost a parent, and I stopped to read the pet sympathy cards. Goodness, there are some lovely sympathy cards out there!! I’m grateful for the cards and outreach I received from family and friends. It was so kind. I hope I can extend the same care and concern to my colleague and others who experience loss.

I also found myself saying things like, “Kids, please get Blaze out. She’s our ONLY pet. We have to take care of her.” It’s a bit dramatic.

Blaze and Sumo were polar opposites!

Blaze = little Sumo = big

Blaze = fast, full of energy Sumo = slow, lethargic

Blaze = young, pet of the kids Sumo = old, pet of the adults (okay, no, she was 100% my pet)

I guess you could say that Blaze is the next generation pet, the gen Alpha to Sumo’s gen X. I have a different love for our furry, funny ferret who always wants to sniff my coffee or alcoholic beverage.

Blaze checking out my margarita
What about some coffee, Mom?

I get to spend time every morning with Blaze after the kids get on their early morning bus. She’s kind of like a tiny, quiet dog following me around if I let her upstairs as I get ready. Often, I have to stop her from digging up the carpet, but overall, she’s pretty good and fun to have around.

No pet could ever replace Sumo Kitty, though. She was truly one of a kind.