It is with a heavy heart that I tell you our kitty cousin Misty has crossed Rainbow Bridge.  For 17 years Misty silently watched over our antics, passing judgment with a mix of annoyance and amusement.  I never did figure out what she did for fun when we weren’t visiting.  But when we were together, we always had a good time.  At least I can take comfort knowing that Misty will now resume her friendship with my big brother Lemmy.

Their love/hate relationship all started when Lemmy came bounding into Misty’s life as a puppy.  Up until then, Misty had reigned supreme at family gatherings at our Grandparents’ home.  So I can only imagine her self-righteous indignation when Lemmy stole her spotlight…and her food!  However unlike our kitty cousins Vegas and Kaz who went into hiding, Misty stood her ground.  In fact not only did she not hide, she delighted in outsmarting poor Lemmy.  Mom and Dad still laugh about the time when Misty lured  Lemmy into chasing her through the room divider, only to have him get his head stuck in the balusters.  With a flick of the tail, she just strutted away leaving Babci and Pepere with the task of releasing Lemmy from her trap.  Lemmy did get the upper hand on her a time or two though.  Once he even cornered her behind the couch.  I was there that day, and still remember Grandma saying, “oh look, Misty is making a face!”  Which was quickly followed by a hiss, and Lemmy rocketing out from behind the couch.  It was that day they came to an understanding and he no longer chased her.  In fact they got along so well after that incident, Pepere was able to pet Lemmy with one hand and Misty with the other!

I, on the other paw, couldn’t resist the lure of chasing Misty through the house!  And although she was getting up there in years, she remained as fast as ever.  I never caught her though.  But that’s only because Mom and Dad made me stay in the family room behind a gate during my visits.  So my opportunities to chase her were few and far between.  Misty knew that too, and would sit on the opposite side of the gate taunting me!  But I knew she was just doing it in good fun, and that deep down she tolerated me.  When I was a little puppy staying over Babci and Pepere’s house for the first time, Misty would sneak over the gate at night and check on me and Lemmy to make sure we were ok.  She was a gracious host, who made me feel welcomed.

Misty got along best with Asa.  He always respected her space.  In fact when he first met her, Asa certainly took Misty’s ego down a few pegs!  Would you believe he ignored her?!  There she was poised to run, and my goofy little brother walked right past her…more than once!  Then focused his attention on his own reflection in the fireplace screen.  Misty was highly insulted.  In fact, she even was a guest blogger to voice her disapproval.  After that Misty was a regular on Living with a Golden, giving a cat’s perspective whenever we needed it.  Oh and in case you were wondering, it took three visits before Asa noticed her!

I’m going to miss my kitty cousin.  Visiting my Grandparents will not be the same without her taunting me.  Recently I wrote about how I was jealous that she moved into my dream home at the lake.  Now I am so grateful that she was able to enjoy time at a place that is so special to me, and that she will always have a spot overlooking my lake.  Misty, thank you for being the best cousin a dog could ask for…even if you were a cat.  I promise if Vegas and Kaz ever come out of hiding I will take good care of them, and will continue to look after Babci and Pepere for you.