Furry Times: Seven cats, one loyalist and the sweetest welcome home

By Jacqueline Guzman

It was 2016 when we discovered him—a beautiful teenage, all-white domestic short hair sitting outside our apartment door as if he had arrived with intention. His coat was pristine, his posture calm. He didn’t look lost. He looked like he was waiting.

I asked my husband Leon, “Can you please try and get him?”

Within moments, the bond was sealed. Larry chose his human that day—and it was not me.

For nearly 10 years, Larry has been Leon’s shadow. He follows him from room to room, watches him with quiet devotion and curls up beside him with unwavering loyalty. I feed him. I care for him. I manage the household he rules. And still, Larry has never once considered me his lap option. Not even for a moment.

After a few months, I realized I was not going to get the lap cat of my dreams. So naturally, I went looking for one.

That’s how Bella joined our family.

Next came our beloved Lulu, a point-colored beauty with mesmerizing blue eyes who looked just like a Siamese. Lulu captured our hearts completely. She was gentle, elegant and deeply affectionate in a way that made you feel chosen. Losing her in December 2024 left a quiet ache in our home that we are still learning to live with.

Around the same time, sweet Chonk Jasmine—my special girl—and mystique Luna, our sleek all-black queen, joined the household. Jasmine is affectionate and expressive, always ready to claim a warm lap. Luna is observant and regal, watching everything with quiet intelligence. Within months, our home transformed into a lively five-cat family, with most of the adults now nearing 10 years old.

Then came baby Mew.

Mew is a point-colored domestic short hair who looks so much like Lulu that sometimes it stops me in my tracks. We welcomed her because we adore that look, but also because our hearts were not ready to close the chapter Lulu began. Mew has brightened our lives since we lost her big sister, bringing playful energy, softness and healing back into our days.

Charlie, our outdoor boy, greets us at our cars when we pull into the driveway. Mew waits faithfully at the door. That daily welcome—paws, purrs and bright eyes — is the sweetest reminder that we are home.

Seven cats. Seven personalities. Endless fur, laughter and comfort.

Larry may have chosen his human long ago, but together our cats have chosen our life. They have filled it with devotion, resilience and meaning.

And even if I never become Larry’s favorite, I wouldn’t trade this beautiful chaos for anything.

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