It all began with Tosca…

Tosca walked into my life, and heart, when I was around 12 or 13. She was a glossy, jet black with green eyes - the most beautiful cat I had ever seen. My first pet. She casually took up residence in our home as if she had always belonged here, not in the least intimidated by this new family she had adopted. She was elegant, and very well mannered - never begged for food at the dining table; never stole any food from the kitchen - not even the fish left out on the kitchen counter; always waited patiently for her food to be served.

Tosca was an independent soul - came and went as she wished. Often came back pregnant and brought her kittens to me after she delivered. She always sat on my lap or draped herself on my shoulder when I used to study for my exams. And she always hung out on the balcony, waiting for me to come back from school, then ran meowing to my mother to tell her to open the front door for me.

And then I went away to college - six months later I was told Tosca had passed away. I never got to say goodbye to her. Home was never the same again.

That was decades ago, but I still miss her…