Cali, my buddy, my side kick, my shadow… my best friend for 16.5 years. I miss you so much. You brought abundant joy, happiness, and unconditional love to my life especially when I needed it the most. You ‘just knew’ the times I was struggling, down, depressed, anxious, or scared, and reached out your paw (literally!).

From Marina del Rey to Redlands to Santa Monica to San Rafael to Larkspur to Des Moines to Renton, we lived in so many places each with its own meaningful experiences. 

I will forever miss my ‘stretching partner’ during my daily Peloton morning mobility, yoga, and pilates classes, and stretching in general. You joined me on the mat countless times! I will always remember the specific stretches and poses where you plopped your furry self on my chest or back. For instance, each time I start Hannah Corbin’s lower body mobility class and practice the supine piriformis stretch with the ball I will think of you laying on my chest. Tears are shed when I practice stretches and poses like this one without you by my side. I have started to recruit your sister, Minimi as my new ‘stretching partner’ but it is not the same. I will always cherish our nighttime meditation ritual; as I laid on the floor with my legs against the wall and started a Peloton meditation, you gleefully left your spot on the couch to lay on my chest and meditate together. Cali, you will always have a special place in my heart. 

I know the sad feelings, pain, and this void in my day will begin to fade in time, and only the happy memories will remain. 

I am so grateful that you lived well far longer than I (and the vets) expected. While the chronic kidney disease was very aggressive this past week, I am thankful that you are now free from suffering as you bountifully chase birds and play freely with Muffin, Patches, Briquette, Rusty, Tommy, Figgie, and Molly.

Cali

September 2007 – April 4, 2024