“That Rosie has been worshipped more than any other cat. Even Pharaoh cats in Egypt.” +Xandy Sussan

I met my first love at a party venue. There were many other women there just like her, but she was the only girl who wasn’t fussing and complaining. She also wore a sash that read: ‘As advertised on the radio.’ Well isn’t that special, I thought to myself (To this day, I still wonder what the radio ad was all about). While the other women were dancing in their cages, my girl was just chillaxing, and ignoring the other dames who were making a fool of themselves. This woman’s individuality, wisdom and confidence stole my heart and we’ve been together ever since.

That was my first experience with Rosie Daisy Petunia (who we’ll from now on refer to as Rosie). She was a pound kitty and the above tale pretty much describes the conditions when we met. Except instead of a nightclub, I met my first love at the Van Nuys Animal Hospital in August of 1993.

It’s now 18 years later and I had to make the very hard decision to let my baby girl move on to her next destination in the clouds yesterday. I’ve had time to prepare, but it still sucked in a way I can't really describe. Rosie was the most stable thing in my life for 18 years. Even though she was pretty much a cranky bitch the whole time, anyone who spent time with Rosie could see her magic, her compassion and funny sense of humor.

I’d like to personally call out a few friends who have had a special connection to my Rosie because I know she’d want that. Let’s see, first Jen and Alicia for the Post-Its and warm laundry to nap in. Then there’s Katy, Annie, Susie and Steve who all took care of her at some point after Graduation from Loyola. Thank you to Lori for welcoming Rosie into her home without a second thought when I was in transition. Thank you to Taj, Xandy, Carol, David, and Lyn for always taking care of Rosie while I was on business trips.

Rosie had developed many nicknames over the years: Rosie Daisy Petunia, Pancake Head, Mesopotamia, Mertunia, Baked Potato, Merzilla, Rosie Posie, Stinkyface, Big Bootylicious, Squishyface, Heehoobunzicals, Big Girl, Ladyface, Rosalinda, Toonies, Tooniebuns but mostly, I called her just Petunia. Like Cher and Madonna. Just Petunia. She was the diva of all divas.

Part of my soul went with Petunia to Heaven yesterday when we laid her to rest. I’m hoping that God’s house has plenty of Post-it notes, cat treats and a warm blanket for my baby girl. I’m on my way Petunia, it’ll just take me a few years. I know you’ll wait for me.