I have had this post in my mind for awhile and when I found out that today was National Love Your Pet Day I knew it was the day to finally write it all down.
But let's be clear, Love Your Pet Day is every single day in this household as I am sure it is in your household too.
The story of Milo and Otis:
Milo and Otis chose my hubby and I 10 years ago this month. We had just lost my first kitty baby, Simon, after only 7.5 years in October 2013. We were out to breakfast and I stated, "I think it's time to look for a new cat and our next cats will be orange." Yes I said cats, not cat. Hubby said ok but I don't think he thought anything would come of it. We left to go to Petsmart and I immediately headed to the cat adoption area. As we walked up, there were two orange kitties in the main big cage. Uh oh
We walked to the cage and after reading their stories, we found Otis attached to my hubby's scarf. Uh oh. Then I was asked what I was doing. I was petting one of the orange kitties, Milo it turned out. I was told he doesn't let people pet him. Uh oh. We all already know where this ends up but it is such a cute story that I wanted to share it.
I remember going to get them in one of the worst rain storms and how they meowed in unison ALLLLL the way home. I remember Milo going directly under the bed and Otis checking everything out. I remember Milo getting really sick a few days later due to the stress of the change but he recovered just fine. I remember putting a collar with a bell on Otis so we could find him and then removing said bell not too much later because he moved so much that it was always ringing. I remember having to teach them how to play! To my credit, I taught them well because at the age of 11, they still play like they are kittens. We love it!
Lastly remember when we decided they were keeping the names Milo and Otis. I was at a college wrestling tournament and I spotted Otis Spunkmeyer cookies at the cafe and I knew that was definitely our Otis. Then during the tournament there was a wrestler named Milo Adams and he got pinned every time he wrestled, just like our Milo when he wrestled with Otis. So the names stuck and we have never looked back.
Otis February 2004
Milo February 2004
Our baby boys
Then came the trying times. First Otis showed signs of blocking from crystals in his urine - I will be forever grateful to whatever part of my brain told me to put the litter box in our bed room, otherwise I don't know if we would have caught the issue and been able to save Otis. We got to know our emergency vet REALLY well and finally after a few months Otis had surgery to fix his problem - he was rerouted and basically became a girl. I fully remember Otis during recovery and we had to keep him in a cage because he had some nerve damage that made him unable to control his bowels. I laid down in front of the cage one day, started to sob and said "Imagine if this were a child." I couldn't imagine how parents get through these things with children, I was a wreck and this was a cat. Although to me, my pets are my children.
Then about a month after Otis was all better, Milo started to show signs of the same thing! He also ended up with surgery and became a girl but luckily he did not have any nerve damage and except for some infections, both kitties were diagnosed cured and ready to live long and happy lives with us.
Our snuggly boys after they were both re-routed.
Long and happy lives is definitely my goal for my babies. I adore them. The silly things they do. The love that they show. The annoying things they do too. Everything! My favorite things are:
Milo when he wants dinner. He comes to me while I'm sitting on the sofa and reaches for me and sometimes I can get him to high five. Then he meows while I get the bowls ready and then he licks the spoon. He races me to his dining spot and then comes looking for more as soon as he is finished. He also LOVES belly rubs. Yes, a cat that loves belly rubs. He goes crazy for them. The best part though is when he decides he'd rather have his ears rubbed and he ducks his head down to his belly so that it's in the way of you being able to run his belly. It is so cute and Momma ear rubs are his favorite. My hand fits right over his head perfectly and he just purrs and closes his eyes as he gets his ear rubs. I love that we can just make the hand movement for ear rubs and he will come running.
Otis comes with me to bed most nights. He races upstairs and then leaps onto the bed and waits for me to get in. Once in, he waits a little then he asks to come under the covers by pawing next to me. I lift the covers, he slides under and then curls up in the crook of my arm next to my side and just purrs. There are no words for how this makes me feel. Knowing that he trusts me so much and wants to snuggle with me. I imagine it is how parents feel when their children hug them. It's all warm, snuggly, sweet and filled with such love.
I can't get over how much I love these furry beings. They are my heart and soul and I would do anything for them. They never fail to amaze me with their silliness and their love. When Otis curls up in my lap or Milo decides to lay near us, I just get overcome with love. Their purr can cure any ailment I have. The conversations we have where they tell me about their day are some of the best conversations I have some days. I hope they know how much they are loved.
Happy 10 years Milo and Otis, you are the purr in my heart. I love you.
