Petit — 29d30e

Petit and I have been housemate since he was a kitten, more than 17 years in all. Until January, there were two kitties, Tommy and Petit. But Tommy got ill and left us in January, so it is just me and Petit now. The best thing about working from home during COVID quarantine has been to spend nearly every hour of every day with my Petit.

Petit is my daily alarm, about 7 am, when his meow tells me he wants breakfast. After our breakfast, we nap a bit, until we get up, eat a bit more, and then it's time for work. During which time, he lets me know when it is time for snacks or perhaps a snuggle. I sing Petit songs. There is a whole repertoire.

I work for a newspaper, and for about three months this year, I and my colleagues were furloughed one day per week. This radiation treatment would allow Petit and me more quality time together -- which would be, quite literally, priceless.

In the last couple of weeks, Petit was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. His home vet, Dr. Kristin Reinkei, is at Mohawk Alley Animal Hospital; his main oncologist, Dr. Turner, is at the Metropolitan Animal Specialty Hospital; and his radiology oncologist, Dr. Jacovino, is at VCA West LA Animal Hospital -- all in Los Angeles.

Petit makes everyone smile and laugh. He is a beautiful kitty, and he likes everyone. He loves to eat as much as anyone I have ever seen eat. I enjoy watching him eat more than I do eat myself. And he loves his catnip ball, which he sometimes licks for half an hour straight. And he loves his belly rubbed, a lot. Petit never gets enough petting. Sometimes an hour or two at a stretch.