Miles has been my little shadow for eight beautiful years. He's been my oldest cat Alice's biggest pain as a little brother and number one cheerleader. He would crawl into bed with me and would lie down on me at bedtime. He would even let me cover him with a blanket. He got into everything, tearing into whatever his strong little claws and teeth could. He was very intelligent and knew small tricks. He had a voice that sounded like he was singing at me. When he purred and got very happy, that sing-song trill would peek through. He even got a shaky, happy tail when he was super excited to see me! I never was able to get anyone to hear him sound like this - I think this was something meant for me and Alice only. He thought he was the protector of the house (and was) and would check everyone who came to the door and knocked. Visitors were treated sweetly and with curiosity no matter how many times he'd seen them.

He loved playing specifically with dangly, colorful worms on strings. I've never seen a cat run so fast or jump so high before! In fact, he could jump up onto high surfaces (even the tops of doors!) in one or two bounds. He refused to be brought down by anything. A cool, confident cat that I was so lucky to be allowed to call my baby.

Unfortunately, at the start of this year, I learned he had a mass in his gallbladder. He held on for a couple more weeks, getting stronger and staying as loving and wonderful until the end.

I love you Miles. I truly hope you know that. Sometimes I feel like I didn't do enough for you, that I could have done so much more. I have a feeling you knew I loved you. The way you called for me and only me any time you had to be picked up and moved, I know that call. And I hear you. You are so, so loved. I hope you get to sprint and climb as high as your heart allows. I hope you get to see exactly what The Outside looks like safely (no cars or dogs!!). I hope all of your favorite treats never get old or out of style for you, and that you discover more and more. That you get to see and hear the birds up close. I hope somehow there are dangly Wormies for you to play with, and they can go as fast as you want, so you can chase them all the time. And that they never break when you rip into them.

Rest easy, know you are loved. I'll look after Sissy for you and she will always love you, too. Maybe one day we can be a family again. But until then, be happy, be free and please remember me.

And if you ever miss me, remember the one thing I wanted you to remember me saying: "Oh, what a good boy."