Requisat in Pace, Púca

Four years ago, I meet this cat, Púca.

I was dating his owner, and the first time I’m over at her place he just walks up to me as if we’re already tight, rubbing against my legs and angling for some pets. And just like that, we’re buddies.

That’s sort of what he was like, you know? Entitled. But you couldn’t even be mad at him because he was so friendly. He was that guy who was a little bit over the top, but so boisterous you couldn’t help but smile.

Púca was magnificent.

He was one of those cats that was just brimming with personality. If he wanted your attention, he’d start poking you with one of his paws. If you gave him that attention, he’d be more than happy to chat with you.

“Meh.” – Púca

I had no idea what I was in for, to be honest. He was smart. Smart enough to, once we were roommates, train me to get up earlier and earlier to feed him. I’m a light sleeper, so he quickly learned that making sad noises would get me up to give him breakfast.

By the time his owner pointed out to me what was happening, it was too late. I tried to ignore him, but Púca decided not to learn that lesson.

He didn’t like being picked up. He wasn’t a lap cat. But he’d settle down between us on the couch, just to be in the same room, just to be around us doing whatever it was we were doing.

Funny thing, too. He was ten when I met him, fourteen when he passed, but seemed blissfully unaware that he wasn’t a kitten. He’d race around the house like a cat a quarter of his age, zooming to and fro, pouncing and tackling any toys he happened to come across.

Oh, and if you had a laser pointer? Watch out. He’d chase it in circles until he physically couldn’t, then fall over and expose his belly.

A mighty hunter he was not.

Raised in a series of Chicago apartments from his very kittenhood, he knew nothing of the outside world. He knew nothing of a reality where everyone who met him didn’t immediately love him. He knew nothing of a world where people could be cruel or unkind or indifferent. That was the world he entered, and that was the world he left.

And through it all, as entitled as he could be, as selfish as he was, as manipulative as he tried to come off, he was still this radiator of endless love, compassion, and companionship.

I loved him. He was my buddy. I’ll miss him.

My partner set up a GoFundMe campaign for Puca while we were still trying to figure out what was wrong with him. He doesn’t need help, not anymore, but if you’d like to donate to help cover his veterinary expenses it would be appreciated.

Questions? You are invited to either leave a comment below, or ask directly through the comment form.

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