Today I lost my cat Rei. He was the friendliest cat I’ve ever had, in his own way.

He wasn’t the type to come up and ask for pets. He usually kept his distance, like he had his own rules. But whenever I did reach out to him, he would allow it. No scratching, no biting, just calm. He trusted me in a quiet way. That meant more to me than any overly clingy cat.

He had this habit of sitting outside and just looking at me through the door. Not asking to come in, not making a fuss. Just watching, like he wanted company without needing anything. I’d talk to him sometimes and he’d just stay there, listening. That was our thing.

Yesterday he wasn’t feeling well so we brought him to the vet. Today he’s gone. The vet said it was likely due to extreme heat. It still doesn’t feel real.

I keep thinking I should have taken care of him sooner. He was always lively, always hunting, always doing his own thing under the sun. But the last day I saw him, it felt like he was trying to hold it together. I didn’t think it would end like this.

He was only with us for about two years. Still young. It feels like he didn’t get to live out what he was supposed to be.

He loved hunting, being out in the sun, and randomly meowing at me like he had something important to say. Because of how much time he spent outside, his fur started to change. He wasn’t a pure black cat anymore. He had this kind of faded, sun-touched look. I always thought it made him unique. I loved that about him.

I don’t really know what I’m feeling right now. It hurts, but at the same time it doesn’t fully register. Like something is missing but my brain hasn’t caught up yet.

I just wish I spent more time with him.