For Roman Smith, his cat Gandalf — or “Gannie” as he affectionately called him — was the center of his world. And for Gandalf, his world revolved around Smith.
Gannie became part of Smith’s family in 2003 when Smith was just 9 years old. It didn’t take long for the pair to form an unbreakable bond, one that would only grow stronger over the years.
“Whatever I was going through, Gannie was always by my side. I would wake up every morning with him curled up next to me,” Smith shared with The Dodo. “He was my best friend, and I loved him with all my heart.”
When Gannie first arrived, Smith’s parents captured a precious moment between the two friends. The photo showed a young Smith in an orange and red shirt, holding Gandalf, who was lounging contentedly in his arms. The image captured the quiet joy between them.
“I’m so glad my parents took those pictures since, back in 2003, phone cameras weren’t as common!” Smith said with a smile.
As the years went by, the bond between Smith and Gandalf only deepened.
“Having the same cat through so many stages of my life made our connection unlike any other,” Smith reflected. “Through teenage challenges and big career choices, Gannie was always there for me.”
Gandalf wasn’t just Smith’s best friend; he also ruled over the family’s other pets with an air of authority.
“He was a little firecracker,” Smith recalled. “We had big dogs and other cats, but Gandalf was the undisputed king. Still, he was incredibly affectionate. A simple touch would send him purring, and he was always up for a game with his toys.”
In Gandalf’s later years, as his health began to decline, he spent even more time with Smith, as if sensing that his time was running out.
“His mobility slowed, and his personality softened a bit,” Smith said. “He became my constant companion, always curled up next to me, especially when I was playing video games.”
“Even in his older years, though, he still had that spark, particularly when it came to food,” Smith laughed. “If his meal was even a few seconds late, you’d know about it. His presence lit up the room, bringing a sense of calm, making everything feel like it would be okay because he was there.”