So long to our sweet Sunday

My morning routine has not changed much in the past 14 years. I am typically up between 6 and 6:15 a.m., take a quick shower, have a bowl of oatmeal with a cup of coffee, and hit the door for work by 7 a.m.

One of the constants every morning has been our longtime pet, Sunday the Cat. For 14 years, before I grabbed my keys, Sunday slumbered into kitchen and walked over. I leaned down, pet her head as she looked up with those big cat eyes and said, “Have a good day, Sunday.” As if trying to have a conversation, she let out a sound that was part meow and part purr. It was her way of saying, “You, too.”

Tomorrow will be the first time in more than a decade that I do not hear that sweet, loving sound. Sunday (also known as Sundizzle, Snugglet, McSnugglet, Snittles and numerous other names by myself and her family) joined her sister Cookie on the other side of the rainbow Monday. She nearly made it to age 16, though we expected (hoped is probably the more accurate term) her to live much longer.

Even though we are deeply saddened by Sunday’s loss, we are forever grateful to have such a kind, caring pet. Sundizzle was one of the laziest creatures I have ever met. She rarely left the couches or bed, often sleeping 15-20 hours a day.

I marveled at the fact that she basically refused to play (trust me, I tried). Aside from a few bursts of energy with string or catnip-fueled surges with a laser pointer, Sunday’s trips were limited to the food and water bowl, litter box and to wherever people were located.

One of the things we will always remember about Sunday is that she had to be around her people. When we were all home after work, she waltzed into the living room, jumped on of our two couches and practically laid on top of Shana, Molly, Rory, Brody or me. At times, especially when I was working on my laptop, it was annoying. Of course, I would love to be annoyed again.

At night, especially during the cold winters, Sunday would climb the stairs, jump into bed and curl up next to me on my body pillow. It was common to wake up and find her sleeping on my stomach or chest.

Much like Cookie, Sunday had a special, yet different, relationship with all of us. She tolerated my granddaughter, eventually warming up to her and welcoming her pets and giggles while throwing string at the cat. Nobody showed the Snugglet more love than Molly, who heaped hugs and kisses upon her. Like me, Brody enjoyed messing with her playfully. She was Rory’s other buddy when Cookie was not in the vicinity. She was Shana’s “big, beautiful girl.”

Though slow, Sunday was rolling right along until Cookie passed away in May. The cats never seemed close, to be honest. They fought daily and seemed to be disgusted by one another. But nobody cared for Cookie more in her final days than Sunday, who curled up next to her (which she never did) in the hours leading up to her death.

After Cookie died, we noticed a significant change in Sunday. She seemed lost. She refused to enter Cookie’s spaces, namely Shana and I’s bedroom, for several weeks. After a few weeks of struggle, however, Sunday seemed to bounce back, joining us again for cuddles in the living room.

Things shifted quickly, unfortunately. Sunday slowed way down during the past month, spending most of her time in a small box in the kitchen. Still, she jumped out of her box and wished me goodbye every morning until a day or two before she moved on to the other side.

Her last few days were long, but full of love. When it was clear she was not going to turn things around, as she had before when she was sick, on Sunday evening, we moved her upstairs so that she could rest between all of us. Moments after getting into her box, I leaned over and patted her head. She immediately looked up with the same expression I saw for 14 years, as if to say, “thank you.”

We already miss Sunday terribly. Our house feels very empty right now. We take solace knowing that she’s with Cookie again, and knowing that she lived the life of a diva, never going outside (unless it was during a move) and consuming filtered water and organic food. All while being very loved by her humans.