20 years of Love & Loyalty
I landed in Taiwan in 2005, ready to start a new chapter, armed with a suitcase and boundless curiosity. Every aspect of life was drastically different, the roads were total anarchy, and I was completely unable to communicate in Mandarin, but none of that phased me. The most culturally shocking part was the state of the poor homeless cats and dogs. They seemed to be everywhere.
I didn’t know then that the most constant, loving, and profound part of that chapter would be a tiny, scruffy bundle of fur I found shortly thereafter. In the bustling chaos of a local morning market, amid the stalls and both pleasant and unpleasant scents, I found her—a fragile, wide-eyed kitten—and in that moment, our shared journey began. Lucy was the 1st of many to join the new pack, and she was quite a wild little soul, but her presence made expanding the pack much easier.
We quickly accumulated 9 animals. So 2 people and 9 babies in a dorm room, lots of pee, poop, and chaos…This arrangement didn’t last long, as we were asked to leave the dorm. We got an apartment and kept 2 dogs and 3 cats. We got help finding the other 4 pups homes.
From that day forward, my entire life in Taiwan was measured not just by the seasons and festivals of the island but by the steady growth of these remarkable creatures. They were more than pets; they were the heart of my home, the anchor that held me through culture shock, language barriers, and all the turbulence of expatriate life. She became my constant companion across two decades. When you come through the door after a rough day and you see those adorable happy faces, wriggling and rubbing their furry bodies, the stress melts away, therapeutic indeed.
The Steady Rhythm of a Shared Life
She grew into a cat of boisterous dignity and deep routine. Breakfasts were always early, and upon getting home late from work, she would let me know that being late for supper was unacceptable. She trusted everyone in the house, humans, cats, and dogs, but we had a special bond. She was not interested in strangers, aside from one, my mate Mike. Every night, for over twenty years, her presence was the last thing I felt before sleep and the first thing I registered upon waking. I’m a side sleeper, which gave Lucy two cozy options. Option 1 was her laying her head and paws on my arm, her head close to mine. And option two was her sleeping on my side. In any case, she was always purring, very comforting. She was the perfect companion, a purring testament to trust and love. A daily ritual so simple, yet so profound. She was always there.
A Gentle Farewell in the Taiwan Sun
In recent months, her 20+ years of life began to show. Her purr may have been softer, but her demands for our daily cuddles were as sfirm as ever. Her final act was a gift of peace and grace. She lived a terrific and impressively long life, a testament to her resilient spirit and, I hope, the comfort of her home.
The end came exactly as I wished for her, and as I wish for all my loved ones and for myself, too. She passed away peacefully at home, bathed in the warmth of the Taiwan sun on our balcony. She was simply lying in one of her favorite spots, soaking up the light, and the familiar fragrances and sounds of the mountains she’d known for so long, and then she slipped away. There was no struggle, just the gentle transition from life to eternal rest.
Even though I still find myself looking for her in her usual spots, and while the silence in the house now is vast and heavy, I am truly at peace. I feel an overwhelming sense of fortune and gratitude. Fortunate that our beautiful, long chapter together ended with such serenity.
Her memory isn't one of loss, but of the unconditional love and steadfast companionship that defined my two decades here. She showed me that the truest anchors in life aren't places or plans or items, but the deep, quiet connections we make with one another, companionship. Lulu was more than just a survivor from the morning market; she was my family, and an enduring love story of my time in Taiwan.
Amid the market chaos, a fragile start
Two decades together, rooted in my heart
My companion through all the chapters, brilliant and rough
You taught me truly, genuine love is enough
The sweetest soul, you’ll forever be missed
A profound journey, your memories linger and persist
