Few have given as much of themselves or taught me more than Majicou. I can say a lot - about his adorable idiosyncracies, his affection, and the many things he has shown me in the seven years he was with us. And maybe I will, when my thoughts are more coherant.

But, for now, I suppose the most obvious will suffice. He was loved, more than anyone will really understand unless you've been where we've been. In the middle of a ton of shit-hit-the-fan times in life, I looked at him and saw Goddess. Moreso than what I could ever give him, he loved - every member of our family, all my friends, complete strangers - he was giving with his affection time and time again.

One memory is very distinct. We didn't have a home. We rented a hotel room on the cheap, one that wouldn't allow cats. The dogs were being babysat by a friend, and their own time there was dwindling rapidly. In the middle of all this, more than what I can communicate now, we snuck Majicou into our hotel room. He was draped over my arm, quiet, hidden in the folds of a blanket. He didn't move or make a sound, and when he was let out in the room, he explored it with his curiosity and mischief, as if it entertained him to be a part of our own little secret.

In the days that followed - me, too young and without a car to go far from the hotel room - it would have been easy to fall into depression, anxiety, all the subjectively and pretentiously-named issues that accompany the human mind during such times.

Majicou, however, explored the little room with such enthusiasm and curiosity that it couldn't help but lighten the whole situation. He jumped clear over the beds, he swatted at himself in the bathroom mirror, he wrestled my hands and feet until I was forced to play with him. He ate Burger King and McDonald's with us. Cuddled me as I spent the hours reading, and laid beside me as we watched crappy daytime TV together.

All things considered, everything would be different without him. Me, my life, where I am - all different. He was my friend, my teacher, my familiar, a walking vision of Bast who, in reflection of Her, liked being danced around the room and heavy metal music. Sometimes he liked to be danced around the room to heavy metal music, which is a feat in and of itself. He gave me reason to get up and keep going when I felt had none; he celebrated everything with me, and put pawprints on my paintings.

He died with his trademark grin on his face, his eyes closed happily. It was too soon Majicou, but I already see what you're trying to teach me - even now.

Majicou - Bast recieve you with all the warmth and love and celebration you deserve. I know She will see that we will meet again, because those we love are never lost to us. I'll wait and keep my eyes open for that day. I have faith in it. Faith - another one of the many things you taught me.

I love you, Couie. Always, always will.