Nikki came to live with us as a kitten in the summer of 1997. I had just lost my sixteen year old cat the year before. I didn't think I could ever love a cat as much as I had the one I lost. I was wrong. I have had many cats throughout my life but I have never had one that has gotten as deeply into my heart as Nikki.

Nikki is a special cat because she loves people. She is very affectionate and never meets a stranger. She gets to know every visitor that comes in the door. Even people who don't like cats tend to like Nikki. She has chosen me to be her people. She follows me around like a shadow. I am never alone. No matter what room I go to, Nikki is right behind me.

Every night I pick Nikki up and cradle her in my arms like a baby. She knows that this means it is bedtime. We go into my room and she jumps up on the bed and lays down in her spot next to my head. There she stays throughout the night. Each morning I am awakened by her paw and sandpaper tongue on my cheek. I admit this is very annoying but I also understand that this is how she shows her love to me. Her morning routine of pawing and kissing my face wakes me up pretty quick and we start a new day. I guess you can tell that I truly do love my Nikki.