2008 was a tough year — I was 17 about to graduate hs and despite my mom trying to do everything she could to keep us afloat, we unfortunately lost my childhood home and pretty much everything in it, Including having to re-home our cats and 2 dogs We moved to an apartment and I was fortunately able to keep my dog Charlie, but naturally I was heartbroken over the loss of so many irreplaceable things After I graduated hs and we adapted to our new home my mom decided she was going to surprise me with a kitten for Christmas A few days prior, she came home with a bite on her hand. When I asked her what happened, she laughed and said that she planned to surprise me with a kitten, but he had bit her, so she felt maybe he wasn’t the best fit I asked her for the address, got in my car, and drove to go get him When I arrived he was in a hallway scared out of his mind — He was hissing at me, backed into a corner, and clearly did not want to be touched I sat on the floor with him for an hour. After some time he calmed down and sat on my lap. When I heard him start to purr in my arms, I felt he was ready and took him home. Since he bit my mom, I landed on the perfect name for him: Dexter I would always tell this story and jokingly say, “I have no idea what made me go get him” but I know now: I knew what it was like to feel scared and not know how to trust. I knew that he deserved and needed to be shown safety and unconditional love. And from that day forward that’s what I did. I loved him so much. I know it was reciprocal. Whenever I was scared or sad he was always there. Over the span of 15 years so much in my life changed - I went college, my masters program, found love, had my heartbroken, moved, but the one thing that remained constant, was him. Though my heart is broken at the loss, I feel so lucky and grateful to have had him in my life. Going back to get him was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. He made every difficult time easier, his sassy personality always made me laugh, and he made every home feel like home. He was the constant love I always needed. I miss him tremendously & always will I love you so much Dexter