Princess.
(Also known, more accurately, as Diva.)
She arrived in the middle of a summer night in 2013.
Both my daughters had sleepovers. I was upstairs reading The Great Gatsby.
We all heard the meowing for nearly an hour.
When I finally opened the front door, there she was —
sitting squarely in the middle of the sidewalk,
waiting to be let in.
We put up posters.
We posted on social media.
No one claimed her.
So she claimed us.
For approximately 17 years, she ruled accordingly.
She lap-claimed without apology.
She begged like a dog anytime food appeared.
She believed personal space was a myth.
And she reserved her deepest loyalty for my mother.
She was feisty.
Demanding.
Unimpressed by excuses.
Even in her later years, she carried herself like royalty — slower, perhaps, but still fully aware that she was in charge.
March is Pet Palooza month in support of dystonia awareness and research.
And it feels right to honor her here.
Because animals don’t just fill homes.
They anchor generations.
They sit beside hospital beds.
They steady hands that tremble.
They demand attention when we’d rather retreat.
Princess showed up when she was ready.
Stayed as long as she chose.
And left behind a kingdom of memories.
Long live the Diva. 👑🐾
You can donate in Princess' (aka Diva's) memory here.
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