I’ve loved ginger cats since I was young, but I never expected my wish of having one to come true so soon. However, that joy didn’t last long. My mother said that perhaps it was someone else’s cat that had run away, and if the owner came looking for it, we would have to return it. At that time, Big Mimi (the name we gave her later) had some black oil smeared on her head from who-knows-where, and one of her claws was missing and bleeding. My mother told me that when she was walking Mifen (the name of our dog), she saw Big Mimi. With just a call, Big Mimi came over and rubbed against her.
As time passed, hour after hour, day after day, no one came to claim Big Mimi. Gradually, it became clear that she was going to be a part of our family. From that moment on, Big Mimi’s story with us began to unfold.
In the initial days, Big Mimi was full of curiosity about everything in the new environment. She would follow me around the house, especially when I was trying to do my homework. Her little body would squeeze in between me and the desk, as if determined to get my full attention. Her big, innocent eyes would lock onto mine, and she would meow softly, as if saying, “Don’t do your homework. Play with me!” It was really hard to resist her charm. When it was time to sleep, she had the most unique sleeping postures. Sometimes, she would lie on her back with all four legs in the air, looking like she had just done a “fancy diving style” into dreamland. At that time, her fur was still relatively light, like a fresh-faced “coal miner” with a touch of innocence.
After the college entrance examination, I finally returned home. Big Mimi had grown a bit bigger, and with the larger space in the house, she could run around freely. She loved to explore every corner. One of her favorite pastimes was trying to steal food. She had a knack for finding the most ingenious ways to reach the food on the table. Once, she even managed to create a “misplacement stealing” scene, stretching her body in a comical way to get a bite of the delicious treats.
When we took her to my grandma’s house, Big Mimi immediately became the center of attention. She would vie for my grandma’s affection with the resident tabby cat. It was really interesting to watch them both trying to outdo each other to get petted. Another memorable occasion was when she “joined forces” with the cat at my uncle’s house. At first, they were a bit cautious around each other, but soon they were chasing each other around, playing together.
On sunny days, Big Mimi loved nothing more than to find a warm spot in the sun and soak up the rays. She would lie there, eyes half-closed, looking extremely content. During the Chinese New Year, she was always a bit of a “New Year troublemaker”. She would play with the decorations, making a bit of a mess, but her antics only added to the festive atmosphere.
Our neighbors in the old house, Feifei and Momo, were also part of Big Mimi’s world. They would sometimes meet outside, and Big Mimi would show off her “peerless beauty”, attracting the attention of everyone around.
Nowadays, Big Mimi has become even more clingy. Whenever I sit down, she will immediately jump onto my lap, purring softly. Her “Carslan big eyes” are full of love and affection. Sometimes, when she is walking around, she will suddenly stop and give a beautiful “backward glance”, as if to make sure I’m still watching her. She has even developed a habit of climbing onto the refrigerator, looking down at the world from her “high-vantage point”.
Having Big Mimi in my life has been an incredibly heart-warming experience. She is not just a pet; she is a dear family member. Whenever I’m away at school, I can’t help but think about her, and also about our dog Mifen. The memories of playing with Big Mimi, taking care of her when she was hurt, and watching her grow up are some of the most precious in my life. She has brought so much warmth and joy to our home, making every day a little more special.
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