Remembering Giles

Giles and I had a special bond from the moment we met. I like to think it was love at first sight for both of us; I know it was for me. He was the smartest, most affectionate cat I have ever known.

He was born on August 28, 2012. His litter was rescued and fostered by Motley Zoo Animal Rescue and he joined our family, along with his brother, Jayne, on February 3, 2013. After a year long fight with cancer we said goodbye on January 14, 2022.

His spark didn't last as long as I had hoped it would, but Giles lived and loved and napped enough for all nine lives. How can someone so small leave such massive void?

Medium cat, large personality

His favorite toys were drawstrings from an old pair of cargo shorts. He would bypass the rattle mouse, the foam balls, and the burlap catnip sack to dig his strings out of the toy box and carry them from room to room, presenting his trophies. Giles loved those strings.

Giles was a "talker". He would announce his presence whenever he entered a room, "Giles in the house! Let's get this party started!" And he would yell at the top of his lungs if I took too long dishing out breakfast. When he wanted attention while I was cooking dinner he would jump on the counter, shake his tail, and give the cutest little chirp.

Giles would insist on belly rubs. He would curl up on my lap and as I petted his back or sides, he would rotate his body and push my hand toward his belly. He frequently lounged on his back with his underside on full display.

He loved eye contact—not merely staring, but actual, pierce-your-soul eye contact. He would jump into my lap, reach up and tap my face, and then gaze into my eyes for minutes at a time. In those moments he didn't want anything, he wasn't begging for food or pets, he just needed to judge me. There is nothing more uplifting than to be examined and approved so thoroughly by a cat.

The fuzziest co-worker

Giles spent workdays with me in my home office. I often joked that he was my real boss. He would curl up and sleep, either in the little bed I made at the end of my desk or between me and my keyboard with his head on my wrist.

From time to time he would patrol the house and bring back a string, yelling at me to acknowledge his gift.

A warm farewell

Giles was a sweetheart who made friends everywhere he went. Even a diagnosis of gastric lymphoma in January 2021 couldn't dampen his charm and charisma. All of his doctors and vet techs have said he was one of their favorite patients.

He took cancer mostly in stride; despite daily pills, weekly trips to the vet, and frequent vomiting, he was playful and affectionate to the end. We had a few stretches of remission where he was almost back to his old self. I will treasure those moments forever.

After a near-full remission over the holidays, the masses returned. We decided to discontinue treatment; his oncologist gave low odds of efficacy with the remaining chemo options, and it just wasn't worth the stress to his little body. His condition declined rapidly and a week later he made it clear he couldn't fight anymore. With the help of a vet from Lap of Love, Giles slipped away surrounded by love in the warmth of his latest favorite spot, the fireplace.

With gratitude

I want to thank the team at Auburn South Veterinary Hospital. I don’t think Giles would have been as healthy and happy for as long as he was without their attentive care.

And I will be eternally grateful for the additional time we had with Giles because of the excellent support we received from the Oncology team at Summit Veterinary Referral Center, especially Dr. Gillings and vet assistant Sara.

Lastly, Giles and I wouldn’t have met if not for Motley Zoo Animal Rescue. Giles and Jayne enriched our lives immeasurably. Rescue organizations like Motley Zoo provide an invaluable service to the community and deserve all the support we can give them.

Goodbye to Giles, the best cat ever.