Introducing My Love of Animals
I’ve always been an animal lover, ever since I can remember. Even now, if I see a wild animal — like the many rabbits at work — I feel a childlike glee and can’t help blurting out, “Bunny!” Animals have always been my spark of joy, the companions who made the world feel less lonely.
Growing up, I had some special pets. Our black-and-white kitty, Heidi, was like a den mother, taking turns sleeping with each of us and somehow knowing when we needed comfort. We also had Frisky, a sweet little border collie who was one of the best huggers I’ve ever known. She was often there when I was being bullied, a silent but steady protector.
Dogs will always hold a place in my heart, but cats — cats became my true allies.
Sgt. Lucy Pepper
As an adult, I longed for a cat of my own. When I went to the local SPCA in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, it was my brother who spotted her first: a sassy, playful nine-month-old tabby, ferociously wrestling her blanket. When I held her, my heart melted instantly. She wasn’t just a cat — she was my partner.
I named her Sgt. Lucy Pepper (and gave her more nicknames than I could count). She was fiercely photogenic, loved to crawl under the blankets to cuddle near my face, and had a feisty streak that made her seem larger than life. Even after breaking her leg in a curtain-climbing mishap, she adapted with resilience — dangling it off edges like a badge of honour.
She was my little warrior, my first true sidekick.
Friendly… to a Point
Lucy charmed almost everyone. She greeted cable guys, repairmen, and visitors with purrs and headbutts. But when she met my ex — the man I married during what I now call my “temporarily insane” years — she growled and hissed. Lucy, who loved everyone, gave me a warning I ignored at the time.
Looking back, I realize she saw the truth before I did. She was my guardian, trying to steer me away from a mistake that nearly cost me my sense of self.
My Constant Companion
Through moves, chaos, and heartbreak, Lucy was my anchor. When I was alone in Metro Vancouver, rebuilding my life, she was there — a steady, reassuring presence. In many ways, she was more than a pet. She was the reminder that I wasn’t alone, the soft but unshakable courage at my side.
Losing Lucy
When Lucy was ten, her health began to fail. Kidney disease stole her strength, and I faced the most painful decision of my life: letting her go.
It broke me. And yet, thanks to all the self-reflection I’d done, I understood the stages of grief. Knowing where I was in the cycle helped me move through it, though the ache of her loss never fully faded.
Lucy was my first sidekick, my constant, my furry guardian angel. She shaped me into the person I am today — resilient, reflective, and fiercely compassionate.
And when I was finally ready, I found another companion waiting for me: Diana, whose black fur and golden eyes reminded me of Wonder Woman. It felt like Lucy had passed me the torch, making sure I’d never face the world alone.
✨ Final Thought
Every hero needs a sidekick, and Lucy was mine. She taught me loyalty, intuition, and unconditional love. She may no longer be at my side, but her pawprints are etched into my story forever.