My sweet Bruce,

Oh my sweet Bruce, I miss you every single day.

I still remember the day I found you—just a tiny piece of fluff on the floor of our shed. So small, so delicate. I wasn’t expecting to find you, but I knew right away you needed me. Just a few days old, a little bottle baby. You found the right place. I had cared for so many bottle babies before, but something about you was different.

Even back then, I think part of me knew. You were wobbly, and those every-two-hour feedings were exhausting—but I would have done anything for you. I just didn’t know how little time we’d have.

You grew so fast. You played so hard. And your meow… it never quite came in, did it? Just a soft little whisper. You were so patient with all the fosters I brought home—you somehow always knew a churro was coming your way.

I miss everything about you. Your quiet little meow. The way you chased me around the house. Your big stretches. The way you’d “make biscuits” on me like you were late for your shift. And how you always came to sit with me when I was having a hard day.

But more than anything, I miss your hugs. I miss you climbing onto my shoulder, rubbing your face against my chin, resting your head on me while you purred. Nothing will ever feel like that again.

Lately, I feel a bit lost. I struggle to remember your face, and that hurts more than anything. Sometimes I see a piece of black clothing on the floor and think it’s you, and I still reach down to pet it. I think maybe my mind is trying to protect me by softening the memories—but I don’t want to forget you, even if it hurts.

I’m so sorry for everything we put you through trying to fix you. I would have spent anything, done anything, just to keep you here. But you were so tired. I’m sorry I didn’t let you go sooner.

The house doesn’t feel the same without you. There’s a quiet now that you used to fill. Some days I still catch myself thinking this isn’t real—that you’re just downstairs, playing like you always did.

I never knew how much I would miss you until you were gone.

I hope wherever you are, you’re safe and warm. I hope you have all the churros you could ever want. And most of all, I hope that somehow, someday, you’ll find your way back to me.

Because you still owe me so many cuddles.

August 30/2022 - February 17/2026

Love,

Mommy (Erinn)