It didn't take him long to make the entire neighborhood his domain. His big beautiful almond shaped eyes were a door opener to any house he wanted to get into, and he got into many. Never shy, his curiosity led him to most corners of most houses. Fortunately for everyone, cats can't talk. He would curl up wherever he felt like it, and was ready to be anyone's friend. He welcomed new neighbors into the neighborhood and quickly won them over. He was mascot and king around here.

About 10 years ago, Loki appeared at Joanne and Fred's door, and again it was love at first sight between Joanne and Loki. He needed a brushing and a haircut, however, and Joanne gave him the worst haircut he ever got. Undeterred and determined, he came back, never sure if it was to raise hell or because he suspected that Joanne must have better things to offer than that. He ended up adopting her.

And so began the two-home scenario for Loki. He woke Alicia up around 5:30 am every morning so she could let him out, then proceeded to make his way here for nibbles and water then curled up on Joanne's desk and slept, waking up later for hugs and a spa-treatment brushing. That has been the daily routine for many years.

In his younger days, he roamed the neighborhood, got into altercations with other cats, hunted small rodents, and played, all on his own terms. More and more, he hung out with Joanne, shadowing her inside and outside, making sure she was doing things right. If work was getting done at Alicia's, the shadowing occurred there. He was the Lead Supervisor on all projects, big and small. If someone came to do some work, they were told Loki would be supervising, and they quickly understood how that worked. The work wasn't complete until that little blonde head had poked every inch of the job. Never got one complaint from anyone with that arrangement.

He was our little helper in the garden, though he never picked up a pot or planted one seed. He nevertheless had to make sure everything passed his inspection. He smelled the flowers, taste tested the fountain water, and occasionally fertilized selected areas. And when the job was done, he had a 'your chair is my chair' approach to resting and relaxing. Never late for cocktail hour, he welcomed guests and was a party animal, always eager to join in. Most of all, he loved being with his two sets of parents in the garden. He would find the spot that was closest to the middle of us, adopt that four-paws-in-the-air 'Happy Kitty' pose and reach his highest comfort level at the sound of our voices. Often he moved to the lawn, where he loved to spread out with his tummy against the cool grass, looking like a deflated rug.

Every night, he curled up somewhere at Joanne and Fred's, either in Joanne's chair, or Fred's chair, or under Fred's desk, or in the laundry room, or on Joanne's desk, and often in her lap. Because we didn't want him going home after dark due to coyotes or other big animals, he was carried home every night. Either Joanne carried him to Alicia's or Alicia would come get him. Day care every day, and that went on for about 10 years.

Loki, my little furry friend, you filled so many of our moments with joy and gave us so many precious memories. We are so grateful for the number of years you were with us, for the laughter and the love, and we will miss your little shadow. You're just a little guy, but the big hole is our hearts will never heal.
I am so grateful to Alicia for sharing such a treasure. Alicia never resented his time spent here and always allowed Loki to set his own terms and agenda.
I so benefited from your generosity.

Thank you, Alicia. Thank you, Loki.