NEO
These past few months have been difficult around the house. NEO, went into a downturn. Fast. It was hard to watch him go through such pain. Now, that pain is over. Peace to you, my “big” little buddy.
Neo came into our lives from the streets at about a year old—but from the very beginning, he carried himself like he had always belonged. A striking, all-white cat with a strong, muscular build, he was impossible to miss and even harder to forget.
He was endlessly curious, incredibly intelligent, and never shy about making himself heard. Neo had a voice—and he used it often—whether he was greeting us, asking questions, or simply sharing his thoughts with the world. There was something special about the way he connected, like he truly understood more than most. There were some rescues from the neighborhood church roof or from one of our big trees.
What made Neo extraordinary wasn’t just how he looked, but who he was: resilient, expressive, and full of personality. From surviving life on the streets to becoming a deeply loved member of our family, his journey was one of strength, trust, and love.
He left his mark on our hearts in a way that will never fade.
Rest easy, Neo. You were one of a kind, and you will always be.
I love you, buddy.
By Douglas J. Boggs, founder of "Smoke and Mirrors…and the Art of Critical Thinking" and author of “Quantum of Justice - The Fraud of Foreclosure and the Illegal Securitization of Notes by Wall Street”. Douglas is currently working “Quantum of Justice - The Addendum) and releasing two new books, “The Psychology of Money” and “Mental Toughness, for the Crypto Investor / Entrepreneur” to guide readers through the investing world of crypto.
I lost 2 of my best buddies about 5 months ago, both strays from the neighborhood. We had them both for a little over 20 years.
Clifford was a small tabby that roamed the hood shooting up and down trees, and sneaking in to eat our other cats food at night. He started to hang out on scaffolding when I was replacing the siding, then in the garage when arrowsmith was cranked, just rocked out with me when ever it was on. After a couple of years he would randomly jump into my lap but still would let me touch him otherwise. About 5 years in he moved in full time, as time went on he became a constant companion. He would lay in the light of gargantuan grow lights and purr, another older hobby I use to do, always helping with water and transplanting. He would always be up on the roof and would climb 25 foot ladders and watch me paint the trim. He wasn’t perfect, most of my shoes still smell like cat pee, as does numerous work related items, he peed on my compressor frequently, didnt like the fact that it just came on.
The other buddy was a black guy named Little Johnson, he was dropped off in the alley as a tiny kitten, hence the name little, ironically he grew into a giant muscular beast. He was shy but was affectionate with us very early, he did hunt and brought us goodies almost daily, usually mice or birds. He seemed to realize that we appreciated his hunting but didn’t like the carcass so he starting bringing in live birds and would let them go in the house so he could play with them for hours or until we could get a window or door open. As he got older he would befriend other older or injured strays and allow them to come in and share his food and space with them. He let an older neighborhood cat come in and live with us for a few years until she passed.
They shared the best decades of my life with my wife and I, becoming incredibly affectionate as they got older, sleeping with us, laying on our chest and hugging our neck while we slept. Grooming us while slept, gently running his paws through our hair.
Yes I spoiled them when they got to be older, I started to suddenly realize they were both quite old, and were a huge part of our lives, they seemed pretty vigorous til the last couple of months.
In a short 2 years we lost both of them, my stepdad, my mother, my mother in law and numerous older aunts and uncles all from covid or the vaccine. I still grieve my mom and mother law but not like those guys. The connection I felt with Clifford and Little felt different, more pure, more loving. I still ball occasionally when I am alone and think about them, not something that has happened with any relatives or something that I normally do.
As I get older I have realized we only occupy a small slice of reality with pets you get to experience a glimpse of the rest and it’s fascinating and wonderful. Those two brought me to the idea that all creatures are likely sentient beings some intensely so.
Sorry for your loss, it’s hard.