Eulogy for Gato 🐾 Gato was not just my cat. He was my baby, my companion, my little shadow, my patient, my teacher, and for a long time, the center of a world I built just for him. Gato had a way of making a place feel softer just by being there. Even when he was tired, even when his body was struggling, there was still so much sweetness in him. He still wanted company, he still knew where safety was, and he still knew I was his person. And I was. I even created a room for us where I took care of him for the past 9 months, and cancelled all traveling plans just to be with him. Our bond was made of small things: checking on him from a few feet away, keeping his lofi music on, making sure his food, water, and favorite places were close, watching him choose his spots, letting him lead. It was made of nights together, of quiet breathing, of worry, of hope, and tiny rebounds that felt like miracles. He gave us more time than we thought we would have. Back in November, we thought we were losing him, but he stayed. He got better, and we got more days, more nights, more little routines, more chances to love each other. Those months were a gift, even though they were hard. Or maybe especially because they were hard. In the end, Gato was home. He was not alone... he was in the world we made for him, with those who loved him watching over him. Gato taught me that love is not only holding on. Sometimes love is watching, listening, adjusting, making room, and letting them be exactly where they need to be. Sometimes love is fighting for every good day. And sometimes love is staying beside them when there is nothing left to fix. I will miss his presence in the room. I will miss checking on him. I will miss the way he made me feel needed and trusted. I will miss being his person in the everyday way. But I know this: he left this life surrounded by love. He was my Gato, and he will always be part of me.