When Roman Smith was just 9 years old, a fluffy little kitten named Gandalf came into his life — and from the very beginning, they were inseparable.
Nicknamed “Gannie,” the cat quickly became Smith’s shadow. Wherever the boy went, Gannie was close behind — or curled up beside him, especially in the quiet moments.
“Whatever I was facing, I always had Gannie by my side,” Smith told The Dodo. “I would wake up to him cuddled up next to me every single morning. He was my best friend, and I loved him with all my heart.”
Back in 2003, shortly after Gandalf arrived, Smith’s parents snapped a photo of the two — Smith in a red-and-orange shirt cradling the kitten in his arms. The image, frozen in time, captured the joy of a boy meeting his lifelong companion.
“I’m so glad my parents took that picture,” Smith said. “Phone cameras weren’t really a thing back then!”
Over the next two decades, Smith grew up — and Gandalf grew older. Through every life phase, the cat remained a steady, comforting presence.
“From teenage angst to major career decisions, Gannie was always there,” Smith said. “Having the same cat for so many developmental stages of my life brought us closer than I ever thought possible.”
Though small in size, Gandalf had a huge personality. In a household full of large dogs and other cats, he ruled as king — but a cuddly, playful one.
“He was a feisty little fireball,” Smith said. “But so affectionate. He would purr at the slightest touch and loved his cat toys.”
As the years passed, Gandalf began to slow down, spending more quiet time nestled beside Smith. The bond deepened, even as both of them sensed that time was growing short.
“He mellowed out and became a true companion to me,” Smith said. “He’d lie next to me while I played video games — always close, always present.”
And when Gandalf was hungry? His fiery side still flared up.
“If his food was even a few seconds late, he let everyone know,” Smith said, smiling. “His presence lit up the room.”
When it became clear Gandalf’s life was nearing its end, Smith knew he wanted to honor their bond in the most meaningful way he could. He put on an orange shirt, set up a tripod, and recreated that very first photo taken 20 years earlier.
The side-by-side images — a child and kitten on one side, a grown man and his aging cat on the other — quickly touched hearts online after Smith shared them.
“A cat living for 20 years is so rare,” he said. “It’s a very special photo to me. It shows just how long we were together.”
Gandalf has since passed, but Smith holds tight to the memories — and the love — that filled their two decades together.
“I loved Gannie more than anything,” he said. “Losing him has left a massive hole in my heart. But I know that one day, that pain will soften into fondness. I look forward to the day when his memory brings a smile before it brings a tear.”
