Jerome

Jerome's story

Over COVID lockdown, I worked at a veterinary hospital just so that I wasn't idle. I am an artist, so my entire industry was shutdown and decimated. Jerome had been surrendered there by his owner 2 years before. At home, my 18 year old cat was in palliative care for cancer and we were very peacefully saying our slow and special goodbye-and I spent time with Jerome at work when my grief overtook me. He knew I needed him. He knew I needed healing. When Wyatt crossed the Rainbow Bridge, Jerome came home with me 10 days later...and less than a month after that we moved back to NYC together. The next 5 years with Jerome were the most peaceful, grounded and happy I have spent as an adult. He was pure, unconditional love. He was a genuine companion and felt like living with my best friend. Plus, he was hilarious. His three legged greatness allowed him to sleep in the wackiest positions-got him his own staircase and step stool-and never stood in the way of his having a great time playing with straws or his favorite catnip toys. When he looked at you, he saw you. He was social and friendly and affectionate and loved to be cuddled, brushed and scratched. He was a friend to all and turned even the non-cattiest people to cat people in a heartbeat. In addition to his missing leg-Jerome had hyperthyroidism and hypertension-the treatment of which eventually took him to the other side. He was almost 19, a true gift-but 5 years was most certainly not enough. I miss his chirps, his loping around, and his warm gaze greeting me every morning. He will always be a deeply cherished chapter in my life, and I look forward to when I can simply think of the powerful joy he brought me and so many and feel the warmth of his spirit again.