RIP Oliver James 2006-2014

I remember the first time I saw the little gray ball of fur in February of 2006. He was sitting on the bedroom floor of a young girl's room with his four other siblings. He waddled over to me and sat in my lap.

I was in love.

Since I was about three years old, I had asked my father for three things: a cat, a pony, and a trampoline.

So, I was overjoyed when my father let me bring the little fur-ball home during my teenage years.

For the first couple years of Oliver's life, he spent it shuffled between two homes: my father's and my mother's. He was a good car cat. He would sit on my lap and close his eyes while I'd drive the three minutes between houses. I couldn't bear a night away from him.

But, finally, the demands of high school and sharing my life between homes became too much to handle. I made the decision to leave Oliver at my mom's house so she would have a constant companion in our absence and he would not have to travel so much.

During my college years, I lived with Oliver and my mom. He would spend his nights sleeping (and drooling) in my arms. He also spent his days roaming the backyard. 

While he was never much of an outdoor cat, he did like to wander around and eat grass. Sometimes, I'd find him watching birds. He would haunch down low and remain completely still. He never did catch anything. Just liked to try. 

When Kelly and I decided to move to Oklahoma after getting married, Oliver accompanied us the 1,500 miles. He spent the entire car ride shuffling between my mother's lap and mine. He was perfectly content to remain in someone's arms while we traveled. I guess all those years of shuffling between houses prepared him for life on the road.

Oliver adjusted well to life in Oklahoma. He loved summertime. The grass he loved to eat would grow tall and green. He'd chase butterflies and fireflies. In the wintertime, he preferred to remain indoors. He really hated the snow because it covered up his grass. He made friends with the neighborhood cat and they liked to play together often.

Eventually, we expanded our family and welcomed Niko into the mix. However, we quickly discovered that Niko does not like cats. At. All. So, Oliver spent the majority of his days napping on the bed and his nights roaming the house. 

Kelly and I bought a house and I asked my mom if I could leave Oliver with her. I knew that he would be much happier not having to constantly be separated from the huskies. He could have free roam of the house and backyard at all times. I was sad to leave behind my sweet Oliver, but I stopped by and visited him a few times each week. He'd spend the whole time wrapped up in my arms, purring (and drooling). 

Oliver was a wonderful addition to a great decade in my life. He witnessed many sleepless nights, many happy times, and many seasons of my life. While he is no longer a living presence in my life, I'm grateful for hours of memories and pictures that will fill my heart for many years to come.

Oliver, my first fur-baby, you were a constant source of joy in my life and you will be dearly missed my sweet feline friend.