You, my silly boy, truly have it all.
Ever since you were a kitten, I felt the way you rushed towards me, when you and I were alone late at night
I crept down the basement stairs and you popped your head up from your little nest
After a few seconds of curiosity, with a head tilt or two, you jumped down in an agile, smooth motion from your perch
To follow my footsteps
Your big, black eyes staring at me, as curious as a puppy
As quick as a lynx
As piercing as an owl
As lazy as a seal
As fast as a bobcat
As curvy as a penguin
As clingy as a raccoon
As mischievous as Curious George
As quick on your paws as an octopus on its legs
You, my silly boy, truly have it all
Even when you annoy the daylight out of me
I treasure the fact that you are, who you are
And every day I have with you is a blessing
Your silly, anxious, fun, curious big eyes
Full of spunk and hunger and weirdness
Licking cheez-its and pasta noodles and pawing for apples you know you’ll never touch
Biting my hair 45 minutes before you know you’re supposed to be fed and staring me down from my closet if I sleep too late
Both independent and co-dependent
Both perpetually sleepy with immensely quick reflexes
Both comfortable alone and always excited when we’re back
I love it when I talk to you and your ears follow me when your head faces forward
When we pretend you’re talking shit about us but you’re probably just bored
When you put your paw on my arm when you’re half asleep
And when you tilt your head when you look up at me, waiting for me to do nothing in particular
Or when you chase me around until I sit on a couch so you can immediately jump on me
You sweet, silly boy
I’ll love you forever, buddy.
My octopus.
