Owner Wants a Tattoo to Remember Their Late Cat! Bold Scottish Fold "Says": Tattoo My Face to Protect You Forever

Xiao Gao was a Scottish Fold cat — the first feline I've ever encountered in my years of pet communication who carried such a powerful and commanding presence. In the past, I had met other proud or aloof pets, but with the help of communication cards, it was often clear that their boldness was just a façade. Xiao Gao, however, was different. From the tone of "his" words to the cards drawn, everything consistently showed true confidence and authenticity.

When we first connected, I told him, "Your mom misses you very much and asked me to chat with you." He replied, "Sure, I happen to have some time now." His response was calm and dignified, almost like a boss. Since I was a stranger, that detached tone made sense. To his mom, Xiao Gao was known as a very affectionate cat — one who loved to snuggle on her pillow and bury his face in her hair, sweet and clingy in contrast to his strong aura.

I decided to take time to build trust and asked him, "Do you see your mom as your mother or more like a friend?" He said, "She's the mom I always want to stick close to, but not just a mom. I help her keep the peace at home, in my own way. I'm her gift." His "own way" meant he'd lick the family's younger cat, "Sister," then sneakily nibble her, or meow at the dog "Didi" walking by — as if enforcing order.

His mom said Xiao Gao had always been like a little butler. He had experienced two former owners before she adopted him. Later, she brought home a Himalayan cat and a rescue dog. Xiao Gao often felt overworked by all the newcomers she brought into the household.

"I expected 'Sister' to be my sidekick, but she insists on being a princess, pampered and proud because she's the one Mom spent money on. Tell me, Mom — which is more precious, a gift or something bought?"

"As for the dog? It's not that I dislike you, but why do you always have to please others for love? Love flows naturally from Mom and Dad like tap water — you don't have to beg for it."

Sadly, Xiao Gao developed a urinary blockage that led to acute kidney failure and heart disease. His condition required delicate treatment to balance both organs. Despite two more relapses, doctors eventually warned that his prognosis was poor. One morning, his mom found him barely breathing, his eyes fading. She knew the time had come. Grateful that he waited for her to wake up, she held him in her arms, whispering words of love and farewell until he peacefully left.

Without lingering regrets, her later questions were more about spiritual communication than grief. When she asked if he had suffered during his illness, Xiao Gao said:

"The doctor said my heart and kidneys were fighting, right? They must've fought hard — it made me uncomfortable, but not unbearable. There are many angels here who endured much worse before coming. If I said I suffered a lot, they'd probably roll their eyes at me."

After his passing, his mom arranged a 49-day Buddhist ceremony for his ashes before bringing them home. She wondered whether to place them high on a shelf or by the hallway connecting the living room and kitchen. When I showed Xiao Gao the photos of his memorial space, he looked cheerful.

"The high spot feels like my lookout tower — just make sure 'Sister' doesn't knock me down. Or that spot by the kitchen smells nice — I can still enjoy your meals just by sniffing from here!"

His mom planned to turn his picture into a pillow so she could hug him every day. Xiao Gao laughed:

"Cool! I used to be your pillow, now you're turning me into one!"

She also considered getting a tattoo of him but couldn't decide — his face, paws, or tail? Xiao Gao replied confidently:

"Of course my face! Every cat has paws and tails, but only my face and expression are one of a kind. With my face on your arm, no one will dare mess with you. I'll be your guardian angel this way."

Near the end of the session, his mom mentioned she would soon move to a new home. When I asked which place he liked best, Xiao Gao sighed.

"Doesn't matter where Mom moves — I just want to be with her. For me, leaving was the real move — to a place without you or Dad. How come Mom never asked where I am now, or how I'm doing?"

"I lie on a cloud, dangling that cat teaser you left before my ashes, hoping it might hook you up here someday — but it never works. Coming here alone was my brave adventure, but I guess you didn't see that part."

His mom, softly crying, murmured, "I just forgot to ask…" Xiao Gao's gentle reply made her smile through tears:

"That's okay, I forgive your clumsiness. I can't walk beside you into your new home anymore, but I'll live on — in my little shrine, and in the tattoo on your hand. Wait for me there, okay?"

To Xiao Gao, his mom was not just a caretaker — she was also the young, spirited girl he once met, someone he needed to protect. In his eyes, love never ended; it simply changed form.