Leo, Leo Baby, Leo Theo, Cheetah baby, Leo the Cheetoh, Todd, my best friend —
It all goes back to June 2015. I had just graduated from pharmacy school and I was moving into my first apartment in Vermont. I never had pets growing up and I always told my parents that when I graduated and had a place of my own that the first thing I was going to is adopt an animal! I posted a picture of a Bengal kitten on Facebook saying “I want one”, and Leo came home with me on July 4th, 2015, officially making me a Cat Momma!
When I chose Leo from the litter. there were a few kittens to choose from. I knew that I wanted a brown bengal and I knew that I wanted a FEMALE! Neo (my current silver bengal) was still available, and he was the cat that really was drawn to me. He was cuddling with me, purring, wouldn’t leave my side, etc, HE CHOSE ME! However, I really had my heart set on a female, brown kitten, so I didn’t decide on him! (Sorry, baby Nee- I wish I could’ve taken you all home that day!) I ultimately decided on “Leo”, because he was the cutest little brown kitten, with the most perfect markings, overly large ears and THEY THOUGHT HE WAS A GIRL! I put my deposit down on, named my new baby LUNA and I was so excited to bring her home in a couple of weeks. Low and behold, “Luna” had her 8-week vet appointment, and what do you know, “It’s a Boy!” haha I was actually devastated because my heart was set on baby Luna, and I was most definitely over dramatic about it, but I obviously decided to keep him LOL. Looking back on it, I am SO happy that Luna became Leo and our story began.
(Oh, and I ended up getting Baby Nee about a year and a half later! I remained friends with the breeder on FB and she messaged me one day asking if I wanted Neo because he needed a new home and she saw how much I loved Leo! His name was already Neo, too! Talk about “meant to be”! Their bond was like nothing I had ever seen before, they were truly two peas in a pod– the “dynamic duo”!
Leo instantly became my best friend. He never, ever left my side. I’ll never forget our first summer together when he was an only child. We did EVERYTHING together. I used to bring him to the grocery store, he would come in the car with me anywhere I went, many road trips to NY to grandma and grandpa’s house where he could climb the trees, we hung out by the pool, he studied with me for my pharmacy boards & he even use to come visit me at work at my first pharmacy (shhhh)! He was such a momma’s boy from day 1. He knew how much I loved him, and he loved me unconditionally right back.
Let me tell you though, I had NO idea what I was getting into when I decided to adopt a Bengal Cat (I might do a whole blog post on this, because I get asked often about them, and you need to know what you’re getting yourself into before getting a Bengal LOL). They are definitely more than just a pretty face, and definitely not your average house cat. They require a LOT of attention (similar to a dog), they have very big personalities, like to be walked on leashes and are very much so “people cats”. Leo was the cat who made everyone who said they “weren’t cat people” like (or at least tolerate LOL) cats! Anyone and everyone who met him fell in love with him and was just as captivated as I was by not only his beauty, but his HUGE personality. He always had the loudest voice in the room, your food was his food, your drink was his drink (or it was batted onto the ground LOL), he would let anyone pick him up, he would lick you like a dog, and be the first to cuddle with you if you sat down. House guests were often shocked to find him in his favorite spots, either on top of the kitchen cabinets or perched up on top of a door. Strangers were often shocked to see him strutting down the sidewalk on his leash, or his head poke up out of the stroller on walks through the neighborhood. He made every person he came in contact with smile, that’s for sure.
Leo not only brought me so many laughs and smiles, but he made me a momma. He taught me so many valuable life lessons. He taught me patience, he taught me forgiveness, he taught me how to prioritize the important things in life, he taught me not worry about materialistic things that can be replaced, how to survive off a lack of sleep and most importantly taught me how to love unconditionally. He was truly my heart outside of my body. People often reflect on how much you cared for a pet and what you did for them during their short time here on Earth, but I will forever never forget all that he did for me.
Leo was truly my rock for many, many years. He was there for me when I was sad, when I was lonely, when I was afraid, and he was also there for me when I celebrated some of life’s biggest moments like becoming a licensed pharmacist, building my first home and finding my soulmate. I know I will miss Leo’s presence in all of life’s biggest moments to come, but I will be forever grateful for the ones that he was physically by my side for.
I never knew how much I needed Leo, but it turns out that he needed me too. When Leo was diagnosed with HCM on 9/21/20, it was suggested that at that time we take the path of euthanasia. I was his voice. I knew Leo wasn’t ready, he was a fighter. Although the next 3 months were filled with a lot of emotions, medications, ER visits, vet bills, and the feeling of walking on eggshells every single day not knowing what was next, it was also the best 3 months that we spent together. Leo knew his time was limited and even though I didn’t want to admit it, I knew it was too. I prayed and prayed for more time. I knew it would never be long enough, but I promised him that I would do everything that was humanly possible for him and I truly gave it my all. I promised him that I would be present and enjoy every last second that we had left together. We slept side by side every night, went on more walks outside than ever, he ate more treats, swung in his egg chair, had the most extra quarantine 5th birthday party, took many naps in his donut by the fire, and his absolute favorite- snuggled (and harassed) with his other half, Neo. Leo may have had a short time here, but made an impact that will last a lifetime.
It still doesn’t make sense. It still doesn’t feel real. And I still don’t understand why. But Leo, thank you. Thank you for blessing me with 5 & 1/2 years of pure joy, love, and happiness. I can’t wait to be reunited with you someday and I look forward to seeing that big smile, those bright green eyes and petting that beautiful, soft, cuddly fur of yours once again. I’ll love you forever and ever my sweet boy, and I miss you every single day.
Until we meet again my sweet angel,
I’ll love you forever.
xoxo,
Your momma
