Ciao, friend.

Reese Rakleinsky 2003-2007

Reese, our good pal, the clever (yet ineffective) little mouser, the big eater, the cat that ruled, the infamous bitch, best friend to many (and enemy to some), passed away suddenly but quietly almost a week ago. She was the first cat I'd had in my life since Mebs, a black-and-white tabby I grew up with until I was about 10. I wasn't a cat person; dogs still rule the school in my mind - but Reese was different. All sass, no time for bullshit, she always made time for play, and she always made time to headbutt me.

In the photo above, she is nestled in what became her perch, atop a stack of boxes, suitcases and a lampshade, in the back of our car as we drove from Edmonton to Toronto a year ago. During that trip she almost killed us by crawling under the pedals and then jerking the wheel with her paw, sending us into oncoming traffic, when we dragged her out of there. She lived on her own terms. If she wanted to be where it was most inconvenient and dangerous for her to do so...common sense be damned, she was going to get what she wanted. Essentially, she was punk rock, and I loved her for it.

I'll miss you, cat.