I've been hesitant to post and it's been difficult to process my thoughts and emotions.
On Monday, Zuko passed away suddenly and unexpectedly.
From the moment I met him with his litter, I knew he was the one. He was born February 28th, 2018 and once I could, I fully took him on in April. And for the past three years, he's been everything.
I'll preface with my situation at that time: finalizing the paperwork for my divorce, leaving my unit in Nevada to pursue a fellowship in Arizona, all during the end of year holiday season. Through every bit of that, he was with me.
We lived in Scottsdale, AZ for the remainder of the year where he grew from a tiny kitten to the full brilliant cat he was. We took road trips visiting family in El Paso, TX where he was the perfect co-pilot. He also flooded my apartment, destroyed hanging lights, sprayed another friend's apartment closet, and I lost many plants to his curiosity and full sprints.
Then came our Maryland adventure where we traveled across the country for my first ICU assignment. We began with new plants being lost, hanging lights chewed, and some blinds being replaced. He and I met Waldemar, who grew to love him as deep as I did. He became ours, then our family developed and we brought him a brother, Deku. We blossomed into a full family and I couldn't be more thankful.
There are countless tales I have of Zuko, trust me there are far too many to write here, but he was mine and I was his.
I'm so sorry, Zuko. You were taken far too soon, and I wasn't ready. You are loved, you are so deeply loved and missed.