Guardian was our stray-turned-pet cat. We had been taking care of her since the day she took shelter in our house during the 2018 floods in Kerala.

During this 1 year period, she delivered kittens twice. Sadly during the first time her babies were killed by some animals. Second time she made sure it happened inside our house due to safety reasons and we didn't have other choice but to provide her the space. She took good care of the kittens feeding them properly and shifting locations many times.

Even though we thought this relationship would last for a few more years, sadly it ended abruptly and shockingly on the night of 22 July 2019. A pack of stray dogs entered our compound and killed her while she was trying to protect her kittens. The saddest part was those beasts even took her body with them. It was a painful sight for us to see her go in such a way.

She was an integral part of our house and our days were incomplete without her frequent meows. Whenever we return from our outings she used to wait for us at the door steps, hoping for a feed of milk and biscuits. Our days will be dull now, until we find another soul to keep us company in this retired life.

I started documenting our life around Guardian and it has now ended with her last footsteps on our verandah that we will never see again.

We will miss our Guardian.