Jilly Bean’s Farewell

Jilly Bean came into my life in 2019 when James and I “Brady Bunch-ed” our fur members. She was a sweet spirit brimming with elegant sass and poise. Her theme song was Boots with the Fur. The other Kiddens knew her infamously as the supper clean-up crew, where she would lick clean everyone’s plates and help me tidy the dishes.

Jilly Bean and I quickly bonded over a common hobby – reading together on the screened lanai. Every day, no matter how hot and sweaty, she would settle into my lap out there while I brushed her silky mane and we read book after book. It was our “thing”, just the two of us. Inevitably, almost daily she would rocket-launch off the most tender spot of my belly to victoriously eliminate all lizard invasion threats from her lanai. Victory was always hers.

Years have already passed since she was lost to cancer. Yes, I still avoid the lanai and I’m very sad reading without her. Our special place will forever live in my heart and soul, and I am grateful for the love she shared with me. Given a time machine, I would want Jilly Bean’s final moments to be on her lanai, where she was the queen of her lizard-free castle. Not only did she nurture my soul, but she also changed my life to want to help other fur members spend their final moments in their favorite places at home.

- Melissa Jedlicka