Benson

August 2014 - April 2025

Benson came into my life as a kitten. He was rescued from the freezing cold, and brought to the Humane Society. The moment I picked him up, he nuzzled his little head into my neck and wouldn’t let go. It was truly love at first sight.

He needed a friend, and that’s when I found Gemma, his new sister who I adopted the same day. Driving home with them for the first time, I remember thinking, what have I gotten myself into?

They said to keep them separated for a few days but that proved to be impossible so within hours they met face to face. Gemma hissed at first but within about ten minutes, they were obsessed with each other and naturally, I was obsessed with them.

They grew up to have very different personalities. Gemma is standoffish and hates anyone who enters the house and Benson was the one everyone fell in love with.

He loved watching the birds outside, jumping on the counter to scavenge for food, pouncing on Gemma playfully, sleeping on mom’s chest, chasing light beams, and hunting any insect he found. He was the best snuggle monkey ever and loved being the little spoon.

Over the years, he had multiple health issues and almost two years ago, he developed diabetes. As much as I tried, he never seemed to do well even with consistent insulin. He eventually started losing a lot of weight and was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. At first, I was relieved since it was easily treatable. But a lesion began invading his mouth and causing him stress and extreme discomfort.

After many vet visits and medications, nothing was helping. The treatments worsened his diabetes, and the weight loss continued. He became very dehydrated, and the lesion got worse. There was nothing more we could do. His little body had been through too much. I couldn’t put him through months more of vet visits, needles, and medications when the hope of a healthy life had faded.

He passed at home, in my arms, with his head nestled in my neck the same way he had the very first time we met.

My heart is shattered, but I’m glad he is at rest now. No more needles, no more cones, no more pills. He will always be with me, I will carry his memory like a treasure forever.

You were so loved, my boy. And you will be so deeply missed.