Gilligan and I celebrated our 8th Homecoming on April 11, 2023. He came into my life shortly after I lost my beloved Buddy, leaving behind his sister Daisy without a companion. Gilligan was named Matt at the adoption center due to his matted down long hair. I had no idea I was adopting a long-haired cat as he had a lion’s mane cut to remove the matting, so he was somewhat bald. When I entered the room, Gilligan jumped up straight from the floor to my shoulder, wrapped himself around my neck, communicating in his way “You are the one.” The staff was amazed, stating what atypical behavior of “Matt” and he never saw any cat react in such a manner. “That’s a match made in heaven,” the volunteer said. How true! My mother, who was with me, said, “That’s my daughter, cats adopt her.” This was the exact way Buddy reacted to meeting me, and he was labeled “antisocial.” I took one look at “Matt” and said, “You are my little Buddy.” That led to his name Gilligan. My father fell in love with Gilligan and asked me to share his birthday with him. After Daisy passed, Gilligan was too social to not have siblings, so we adopted Skipper and Lovey. Gilligan was the best big brother you can imagine. Gilligan continued to enjoy wrapping himself around my neck, sitting on my lap, or cuddling in bed. He was always waiting in the window for me to return, even if I just went to the end of the driveway for mail. Sadly, just 2 weeks after our 8th Homecoming, Gilligan passed away from throat cancer. While Gilligan is gone from my arms, he will never be gone from my heart. Gilligan, Skipper and Lovey were featured in Mutts comic strip Shelter Stories.