Friends, as you know I’ve been writing tributes for both animals and people for years now. All of them are so personal and moving to me. But, three weeks ago when I saw Kenkoi’s post about Ariung’s passing, it almost put me on the floor. I could feel Kenkoi’s despair right through the screens.

I reached out to him this weekend and told him I’d be honored to put a tribute together for his beloved, Ariyung. So, here we are.

Let’s here what he had to say and then I’ll make some comments after.

Kenkoi was telling me that Ariyung was the most gentle and meticulously clean cat he’d ever known. Ariyung was extremely intelligent. She could shake hands, play dead, and knew her favorite treats by name. A mere mention of treats and she would head right over to the pantry.

“Maine Coons are supposed to be snow cats, Ariyung loved the fireplace and we lived in Southern California” said Kenkoi. He misses her running to the door to greet him every time he comes home. We can all relate to that I’m sure.

Kenkoi told me her name is an amalgam of Hebrew and Korean. Ari means light. Yung means eternity. He said “Like her name she will be the eternal light for the rest of my life”

I will close with a couple of comments now.

Thank you Kenkoi for giving Ariyung 16 amazing years. Thank you Ariyung for giving Kenkoi’s life a higher sense of purpose. Our animals do that for us.

The world is a better place because of the connection Kenkoi and Ariyung had. And now, we take that sacred connection and raise awareness that all animals deserve to have a great life.

We all know the expression, “Who Rescued Who?” – Well, there’s no better depiction of that saying than with Kenkoi and Ariyoung.

Let’s get some lighters and prayers in the comment section for one of the greatest love stories of all time.

No lives will go in vain. No pain will go unnoticed. Amen. Scott Smith for animals of the world.