Misto Kitty has not always lived his life as “Misto”. MIsto, was kind of what one may call him was his new “cat life”. His name is a form of what we used to call him “Mister” kitty , before he “officially” moved in to live with me and he was “Bean”.

It was the summer of 2006, just finished my second year of college. I just moved off campus in May to live across the street in my very first official home as an adult. “Bean” was a well known cat to see. Daytime, nighttime, bad weather, hot weather, all of it… he would be outside under our porch and would purr and jump in the window the second it would open. It first started off as feeding him every now and then, to then he would want to come in and he would then get treated like a good friend coming over for dinner, pulling out the red carpet of course to be a good host. Then , it became apparent this kitty did not want to leave. He never wanted to go back outside. Knowing that he was always out there, I felt bad, but knew he had a home next door. Maybe not a good home, but it was his home. This is the moment that the Missing Cat signs went up around the neighborhood. The second I saw the first sign, I took him next door to where he “belonged”. I struggled with this for some time. Knowing that this cat and I had this undeniable bond between eachother, knowing he wanted to be with me, knowing that he was neglected and left out in the Maine cold with not being allowed inside because 50+ college kids were in and out partying like it was a frat house….but also knowing he wasn’t mine and I couldn’t keep him.

We decided to go to the animal shelter and get our own. The idea was that maybe we just needed a cat and that any ole cat would do. Upon seeking every single animal shelter within a day drive in distance, I realized not a single one even remotely sized up to “Mister KItty”, Or “Bean” (his collar he recently had put on him after the missing cat signs). So, that was that. I had to grieve this one of a kind cat and know that he wasn’t mine and that its not cats I liked.. it was him.

July 6th 2006 in Portland Maine was a rainy, foggy, colder-than-normal celebration of Independence Day. We had run into “Bean” within the last month a few times, sporting a new collar where we learned his identity was “Bean”. Everytime I saw him I had to turn the other way and not try to save him, even though most times it was cold and wet and he clearlt wanted to be an indoor cat given more love than he was getting.

Upon walking back from the fireworks in the cold rain, something was on my door step right at the front door. Low and behold , it was the collar that said “Bean”. I leaned down to pick it up, and from the usual bushes he would go in for his warmpth until he got our attention to bring him inside, I heard his “purrrrr” and jumped up to the door. Soaking wet. Shivering. Scared. Needing TLC. I picked him up, grabbed the collar, and that is when he was born as Misto Kitty.

From that moment on , Misto became a famous joke with family and friends. Claiming we “Stole” him. Perhaps we did, but I don’t regret it. This cat chose to live with us, he chose us. He chose his life destiny and I couldn’t be more proud to say he chose me. From there we moved to another apartment, having to hide him again as “no pets allowed”. Once we moved out of that place , Matt graduated college and moved in with his parents while I started graduate school. Misto had to go live with Matt’s parents, while I started my classes and internship. That was the first time I was seperated from him. It broke my heart. I had to go spend nights at their house just to keep me sane and see my baby. Finally, around 6 months later he was on the move again as we moved into an apartment in Auburn (40ish miles) , to then when we bought our house in Dixfield (40ish miles).

This is when the decline started. My baby was overweight as I was giving him the royal treatment, so he was slowing down and enjoying life as a spoiled, grumpy, kitty who was slowing down. That’s when we decided to try to save him (Vet said he was pre-diabetic) we would get a kitten. Not just any kitten. A Kitten that would be a male too, and HAVE to look like him. We named him Odie, as Misto’s demeanor was much like Garfield … so Odie would become the annoying role in his life just like Odie to Garfield.

Misto did not know what to think of his new little brother. Odie looked up to him as his big brother , and always will. They were so different, but so similar. Then, they got closer when Matt decided to move out and get a divorce. Misto was very hurt emotionally. Until he met Jason, and after some time, had a new Dad. Misto was legally given to me in the court room and divorce decree, with Matt being obligated to pay kitty support .

Jason and I decided to sell the house and move to FLORIDA! We didnt know if Misto could handle the ride, so I went back and forth with the idea about letting his auntie melissa and uncle corm take him. But I knew… even though, everyones opinion stated he would die and not make the trip. 26 hours in the back of the car with Odie jam packed, he survived. Not happy and annoyed by Odie, but he was alive.

Florida was difficult, I was so fortunate that while we did not have housing that allowed cats, my friend TIffany was so kind to take care of my babies in Tampa. Throughout our bad luck with our housing , we took longer to obtain a place than we wanted. So from Tampa, they moved to Melbourne with us and we had to live in our Kia Sorento, so a marine corp friend helped and took them in , all the way to Orlando !

From there we found our own place and got him back and settled. He loved the fresh florida air, watching lizards outside, enjoying the window breeze next to palm trees. Everyone in Maine’s retirement dream.

After being rescued as a “stray” (or “stolen”) in an ethical dilemma, battling for custody in a divorce, moving him to Florida (or not) , homelessness with us all, to being the greatest friend in this whole world. Misto and I had an understanding when I was down after my dad’s death or when Matt left. I was so depressed and had no purpose. He didn’t sugar coat things like Odie and try to be annoying and cute to cheer me up. He reminded me I had a purpose. I had to get up and feed the King. The king has spoken, and I would have purpose again.

I will never have the love for a living thing as I did with Misto. I thought my father passing after a long chronic illness would be the worst experience. This, by far, out does it.

Misto, you always made me happy. You gave me purpose. You brought me more joy and more love than anything or anybody ever could compare to. The pain I feel without you is a pain I can’t explain, as it is somewhat a hopeless, yet relieving feeling for you. Thank you for choosing me and never giving up on me or on being Misto Kitty. Thank you for deciding Bean was not your destiny. I love you forever xoxoxoxoxoxo