You’re new.

New meaning that you have not yet meandered the house enough to truly memorize each nook and cranny for your afternoon naps. New meaning that the relatives that pop in unannounced still make you wary and cautious as you sniff at their feet and lick their jeans. New meaning that you still think it’s okay to lap up my half ingested drinks after I step away from the table.

That’s okay though. I think I’ll let those mishaps slide as I can now confidently say that I’m going away to college. I mean, I’m sure the rest of the house will have to smooth out the edges that your mass of fur has created in a seven pound cry of anarchy.

So that means no more jumping on my face during the wee hours of the morning when I’m trying to sleep. No more meowing in my ear as I try to eat something...anything. Because food is food and how dare I assume that it wasn’t made for you? No more pouncing at my legs as I walk by, claws out and teeth sharpened for play. I don’t find my skin being serrated even considerably enjoyable but hey, you seem to get a kick out of it. Humans just have boring taste in activities after all, cats know best.

I’m sure that deep down, I’ll miss these things (who am I kidding- I already miss these things), and know that you’re just as much loyal as you are mischievous. I’ll miss your downy fur and warmth when I’m perusing the internet and you’re curled up on my lap. Almost being too idyllic. I’ll miss sneaking you bits of turkey from the dinner table as you ravenously snatch it from my hands and run off into the abyss that is the darkened hallway. I’ll miss coming home to a bombardment of shedding fur and a cacophony of mewling from the living room.

I’m sure if I really wanted to, I could ask my roommate to take your place, but I’m not going to lie, that’s just a little too out there for my comfort level.

A pet isn’t something you can easily replace. “Fur babies” aren’t a member of the family that you can sweep under the rug without a thought and just carry about your day not caring about them. Each animal comes with their own personality and quirks and flaws and attributes, just as humans do. Sometimes they’re even better. They love unconditionally and don’t really care if you haven’t washed the dishes in two weeks or you’ve left the TV on longer than intended to. They just care if there’s food in their bowl and a person to care about.

So, as I head off for college, I can say my final goodbyes to the cat I’ve grown to love more than most people. It’s hard and sad and doesn’t feel like the right time in my life. Even if you there aren’t actual, coherent words being said, I’ll just assume that you’ll miss me too. Despite the claim others make of cats not being able to feel love. I’ll look past that. It’s a myth.