I was 4 when I started begging my parents for a cat.  Specifically a white-furred princess cat, perhaps a Persian. That's when Jasmine came into the picture.  Jasmine (named after the Disney princess) was a rag doll kitten with silky white and gray fur. She entered the family before 3 of the 6 kids were even born, and moved with us from Massachusetts to Arizona. She is featured in many-a-childhood drawing of mine.

 I think the reason I'm such a cat person to this day is because Jasmine was a constant in my life.  Growing up in a family that bred show dogs, I quickly learned to become detached from the dogs and puppies in our home. We only ever had one cat, Jasmine, and she was always there (and the dogs knew she was boss).  She accidentally became an indoor-outdoor cat when my family moved to Arizona, because once she got a taste of the outdoors there was no going back. In spite of her thick coat, she loved to bask in the sun in our family's front yard and to explore the neighborhood. She was loving, but she had a quirky habit of nipping your elbows or back when you were on the computer or playing piano. She drank her water out of a Harkins Movie Theater cup that was always left in the bathtub for her.  She would jump into bed with us kids for no more than 45 minutes before wanting to be let out of the room.

Jasmine grew more affectionate with age. Even in her last months, she would still jump up on the couch to sit next to you, and she purred when petted.  She loved to be bundled up and carried around like a baby in a swaddle, although she would not have liked such a thing when she was younger.  In spite of her age and in spite of being outdoors so much of her life, she only ever went to the vet when she was a kitten.  Her increasing age meant wet food, caloric supplements, and getting shaved at home a few times a year since she could no longer groom herself,  but she generally was healthy for most her life.  

During her last week, several of the family members were home for Christmas. We all got to spend time with her and tended to her during moments we thought would be her last. Even the dogs could sense that she was declining.   She had a last rally during the last few days in which she was more energetic than we'd seen her in years. I let her outside a few times for some beloved sunshine and was shocked when she did loops around the backyard and even hiked down the block. 

She passed in the presence of my mom and sister after the rest of us had returned to our respective homes. Of course we were sad, but we were at peace knowing that she had a good, long life and were grateful for the loving companionship she gave us!