Happy 16th Birthday to my Nikki! She almost didn’t make it to her last birthday, but thank God she’s still with me, licking my arms like she did 16 years ago. I was… 12 (or 13? when I got her). She’s been there for me through all of basically everything in my life. I remember the first time I saw her in the impound when I was volunteering at the animal shelter—this tiny little black and white kitten with enormous white whiskers. I picked her up to cuddle her and she immediately started licking my neck and crawled up to my shoulders. A week later she was still there and I talked Mom and Dad (easily) into letting me adopt her. Then, there was that last year of college when I thought I lost her forever to the farm, but God brought her back to me because he knew I would need her company, and she’s been with me ever since. All through the pains of her digestive, urinary, and ocular issues, she’s still been my kitty. And she’s curled up on my lap purring as I type this. I love her so much! Happy Birthday dear cat, my snuggler, hairball hacker, warmth on a cold night, purrs and kisses when I’m feeling sick, and faithful friend.