She was my butterscotch sundae, molten orange, blazing and bold and luscious. Swirls of butterscotch mixed with icy vanilla and hot fudge, deep and dark.

She chased the light and curled into the gray shadows. She breathed against my shoulder and burrowed against my heart. She watched icicles melt.

She bounded to the door and pushed her face into mine. She rolled and hopped and danced and leapt. She stalked spiders and ants and ladybugs.

She loved plumbing.

She tucked herself into cozy, colorful places.

And played peek-a-boo.

She loved her sister, Sophia, her mirror, her partner in crime. Together, they molded into a single calico curl.

They commandeered small appliances.

 And practiced synchronized sitting.

 And stood watch over the neighborhood.

 And, after a hard day at play,

Jolie knew how to relax.

 She was my beauty queen.

In loving memory

May 4, 2000  – December 11, 2005