I believe my cat, Little Bit, is now waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge. I hope she is more patient now then when she was in her last life. She left me way too soon for a cat. 12 plus years is not nearly enough time for us to spend together in this world. She is the first cat I’ve known from the day she was born to the moment she took her last breath.

On May 10, 2013, she, her sister, and her three brothers entered my life. They were born on my front porch by their mother CoCo. CoCo got pregnant due to me not doing the right thing by having her spayed. Because of this, her kittens became my children. The kittens moved into my house shortly thereafter.

Coco was an outdoor cat as was her mother Mamba. CoCo left the scene but Grandma Mamba is still with me, alive and well indoors as are Little Bit’s siblings.

Little Bit had many nicknames depending on her attitude at that moment. Her number one name was Sissy. That could change to Sassy Sissy, Bit, Witchy Sissy or Little Bitch, in that order. I think she understood the nuances. I believe she was the queen of the clan though. I believe all her siblings respected her, and so did I.

Sissy had a habit of waking me up no later than 7AM by sticking her nose into my eye. She also reminded me around 9AM that it was time for second breakfast. She and Mamba would share a plate of wet food for second breakfast in the kitchen while everyone else got the usual fare. After the wet food was gone everything else in the kitchen was fair game, especially the butter dish or a dirty frying pan. I had to be on my toes to keep her out of trouble.

Besides being a good alarm clock, she was also a master snuggle bug. She had to be close to me every chance she got. She wouldn’t let me sit back in a chair without making biscuits on my chest (with claws). Now I realize she was leaving paw prints on my heart. She would kick her brothers out of bed so she could have their spot and then of course move a little bit later. She had a very loud purr which I think lasted even after she fell asleep. Come to think of it, I think she was always purring right up until the end.

On June 26, 2025, I didn’t get a poke in the eye at 7AM. I still got up and served first breakfast. All was good. I made coffee and went to the living room. Sissy was out of it lying on the couch, motionless but still breathing. I made an emergency call to bring her in. Vet said it was rapid kidney failure. I talked to Sissy and she told me “It’s time to go to the Rainbow Bridge”. The end.

I used to believe I was a dog person but that was before I owned a cat. I still love dogs but I think cats are able to nestle deeper into your soul. Actually, I am sure of that for many reasons I won’t get into.

Bit, I would give anything to have you steal food off my plate again, beat on your brothers, stick your claws in my chest and draw blood, and tell you one more time “Cats, time to eat”. I guess this will have to wait until we meet again. You’ll always be in my heart. I love you Sissy and always will.