by Alexey Tarasov
A Bittersweet Beginning
Musya’s journey to becoming a beloved member of our family started with heartbreak. My wife and I had been eager to adopt a kitten, and our friend Hillary was helping us with the search. She first found a tiny ginger kitten who immediately stole all of our hearts. Sadly, that little kitten was very sick with a severe bladder problem. We didn’t hesitate to cover her veterinary care while she stayed with Hillary, determined to give her every chance.
Despite everything, the kitten didn’t make it. Losing her was devastating. But instead of giving up, it made us even more determined to bring a feline companion into our lives.
Not long after, fate brought us Musya — a fluffy gray tabby with bright eyes and a playful spirit. The moment she arrived, our sorrow turned to joy. She filled our home with the pitter-patter of paws again. With her long, thick coat and noble profile, she looks a lot like a Norwegian Forest Cat — though she’s never even set foot in Norway.
Growing up on the Road
From early on, Musya proved to be an adventurous soul. We frequently travel by car between Oklahoma City and Houston, Texas, and Musya quickly became a seasoned road trip companion. As a kitten, she was so small that she fit perfectly into a car’s cup holder during drives – a quirky memory that still makes us smile.
As Musya grew, she outgrew the cup holder but not her love of car rides. While many cats protest even a short drive, Musya seems to genuinely enjoy the journey. On these long 400-plus-mile trips, she lounges calmly in her cozy carrier or on a lap, gazing out the window at the changing scenery.
At rest stops, she eagerly awaits a special treat: Subway tuna. It has become a heartwarming tradition that every time we stop at a Subway restaurant, Musya gets a small serving of tuna (scooped out from a sandwich just for her). Like many cats, Musya finds tuna irresistible – it turns out cats have taste receptors finely tuned to savor the umami flavor of meats and fish.
Notably, scientists have found that felines possess unique receptors that bind to certain chemicals abundant in tuna, heightening the savory taste and making it especially delightful for them. This explains why even the most finicky felines often go crazy for tuna. Musya is no exception; she purrs gratefully as she gobbles her tuna treat, making the road trip as enjoyable for her as it is for us.
In all, while going from Texas to Oklahoma, Musya has now logged over two hundred thousand miles, which is approximately the distance between Earth and the moon (238,900 miles).
Cozy Nights and Quirky Comforts
Back at home, Musya transitions seamlessly into a creature of comfort. She has her favorite plush bedding called her “seashell,” where she performs her nightly ritual of “making biscuits” by kneading the blanket with her paws and suckling on the fabric.
This kneading and wool-sucking behavior is common in content cats and traces back to kittenhood, when nursing from their mother provided warmth and security. If a cat feels especially relaxed and safe, it’s not unusual to see kneading followed by gentle suckling on something soft, essentially a sign of deep comfort and contentment.
For Musya, her fluffy blanket is her surrogate mother, and kneading it while occasionally nibbling or drooling a bit is her way of soothing herself. As her human parents, we don’t mind at all. In fact, we’ve learned it’s a compliment, indicating Musya feels truly at home.
Every night, Musya curls up with us in her shell. As we drift off, she lies beside us, purring loudly, a feline lullaby that eases us to sleep. Studies have shown that a cat’s purr can have calming, even therapeutic, effects on humans, but scientific facts aside, it remains the most comforting sound in the world to us. Her presence has made our nights cozier, as she quite literally warms our hearts and feet at bedtime.
An Office “Intern” for the Law
From a young age, Musya showed an affinity for the legal life — or at least for lounging in my law office. As a kitten, she would clamber onto my lap whenever I sat down to draft legal briefs. Over the years, she has sat through countless hours of writing and research, providing quiet company (and the occasional comic relief by batting at moving cursors on the screen).
She has been present for some high-profile projects too. We joke that Musya has “assisted” in writing briefs for federal court and even the U.S. Supreme Court. Of course, Musya’s form of assistance mostly involves warming a lap or nudging a hand for pets right when a key paragraph is being typed. But we like to imagine she’s absorbing all that knowledge by osmosis.
In fact, we lovingly quip that Musya could probably qualify for the bar exam after “reading the law” in the office for a decade. (The phrase “reading the law” refers to an old method of becoming a lawyer through apprenticeship under a judge or attorney rather than attending law school. Historically, many great American lawyers like Abraham Lincoln and John Adams entered the profession this way.)
While Musya won’t be arguing in court any time soon, her constant presence has made the often-stressful work of law a lot more enjoyable. During intense late-night writing sessions, a gentle head bump or a rolling over for belly rubs from Musya provided the perfect break. It’s not every day you see a cat who has sat in on Supreme Court brief preparations! Musya seems to relish the attention, responding with a dignified meow as if to say she knows the importance of the work at hand.
Feline Copilot in the Skies
Musya’s adventures aren’t confined to land. Besides being a road warrior, she has also taken to the skies, quite literally. We own a small single-engine plane, a Texas Aircraft Colt Light Sport Aircraft (LSA). From the first time Musya watched us prepare for a flight, she seemed intrigued by the aircraft. Not wanting to leave her behind, we gradually introduced her to the cockpit. To keep her safe and comfortable, we even outfitted her with a bit of “pilot gear,” including a tiny makeshift aviator outfit with straps to secure her carrier and cat-sized ear protectors for the noisy cabin. In one adorable photo, she sports what looks like aviator headphones, ready for takeoff.
Playtime and Personality
Despite rubbing shoulders with law and aviation, Musya is at heart a playful, spirited cat. At home, one of her favorite games is jumping to catch a dancing rope. If we wiggle a rope or string toy in the air, she will crouch, wiggle her hindquarters and then spring up with impressive agility, often leaping nearly 2 feet high to snag her “prey.” This acrobatic feat never fails to amuse onlookers; it’s hard to believe such a graceful, gravity-defying jump can come from a relaxed couch potato kitty.
Musya also has a particular fascination with reflections and light. If sunlight or a mirror reflection casts a moving glimmer on the wall, Musya’s eyes immediately dilate, and she switches into hunter mode. She’ll chase the elusive spot of light across rooms, darting and pouncing with gusto. It’s a common quirk among cats; they are hardwired to respond to quick movements as if they were prey. A darting beam of light triggers the same instinct as a scurrying mouse, bringing out the innate desire to stalk and pounce. For Musya, a simple reflected sunbeam becomes an afternoon of entertainment (for both cat and humans alike!).
When not playing, Musya is an affectionate and social cat. She has found a friend in Percy, her human grandparents’ cat. She loves to sit on laps, not just during work but anytime someone is on the couch, watching TV or reading. She will often head-butt gently, asking for chin scratches, and reward the giver with a chorus of purrs. If guests come over, Musya isn’t one to hide under the bed; instead, she may trot out to inspect the newcomers, tail held high. Her confident, friendly demeanor wins people over instantly. Some friends jokingly refer to her as “the dog-like cat” because of how she’ll come when called (especially if there’s a promise of treats) and how she enjoys being involved in whatever activity is going on.
Yet Musya’s feline independence shines through too: she can be sassy, like the times she insists on sitting atop the newspaper while I’m trying to read it or when she decides a pen on the desk looks better on the floor. Like any cat, she has a knack for comedic timing, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Beloved Partner in Every Journey
From a rough start in life to becoming a cherished companion, Musya’s story is remarkable. She has been by our side through long road trips, quiet nights at home, busy days in the office, and even high-flying adventures. Along the way, she’s collected a number of nicknames: “Musya the Muse” when she inspires my writing, “Captain Musya” when she dons her aviation gear, and simply “Good Girl” when she curls up, purring, at bedtime.
Her ability to adapt to new experiences, whether a cross-country drive or a plane ride, while offering constant affection and entertainment, speaks to the special bond we share. It’s often said that pets enrich our lives, but Musya has taken that to another level, becoming an integral part of every chapter of our family’s story.
In return, she lives a life filled with love, adventure, and yes, plenty of tuna treats. Musya may not literally be a licensed attorney or a certified copilot, but she’s certainly earned honorary titles in our hearts. And at the end of the day, with Musya asleep on our laps after a day of excitement, we know that adopting her (and giving love another chance after loss) was one of the best decisions we ever made.
Musya’s tale is a heartwarming reminder of the resilience of pets and the immeasurable joy they bring — whether on the ground, in the courtroom or soaring among the clouds.
