★ Sammy ★ The Lodger Cat (イソウロウねこ)

Truth be told, I’m a devoted cat lover. Even now, a Persian cat graces our home with quiet companionship.

But today, I’d like to share the story of a Norwegian Forest Cat who crossed the Rainbow Bridge in the summer of 2015—a soul so dear, our family will carry her memory for a lifetime.

Back when we lived in Los Angeles, a stray cat named Sammy wandered into our lives and became our beloved “lodger cat(イソウロウねこ).” Around that time, Olympus had a photo-sharing site called Fotopus, where I posted countless pictures of Sammy under the title The Lodger Cat(イソウロウねこ), using the nickname Dararin Darling(だらりんダーリン).

Eventually, Sammy became a formal member of our family. When we moved back to Japan, she came with us. After our daughter was born in 2013, Sammy spent just two short years with her—but in that time, Sammy was the most wonderful playmate. They were always together, inseparable.

It’s been more than ten years since Sammy passed away. For all that time, I couldn’t bring myself to look at her photos—they were simply too painful. But recently, I finally did. And there she was, looking so alive it felt as though she might still be curled up somewhere nearby. Nostalgia flooded my heart, and in the end, I couldn’t help but cry.

Today, we share our home with another cat. But I still find myself wishing I could see Sammy again, just once more.

Even now, Sammy remains a cherished part of our family conversations. I hope she’s watching over our daughter from heaven, quietly guiding her as she grows.