In 2004, South Florida was hit hard by Hurricane Francis. In the aftermath, Tucker and his brother Boomer were found behind a Red Lobster dumpster. Just a couple of weeks later, Hurricane Jeanne struck. Luckily, a kind person rescued them and brought them inside.

Their journey led them to the Elliott Museum, where my mom worked. For a while, they lived there as museum cats. Eventually, they came home with us and became part of our family during my middle school and high school years.

Tucker was always quiet. He never meowed, so we put a bell on him to let the other cats know when he was around. He had this little pink mouse toy that he loved. It was funny because he was this tough street cat, but he adored that tiny, girly toy and always put it in his food bowl.

When I moved away for college, my mom sent me a pink mouse toy for my cats in Dallas, Alli and Gator. It just sat there for months, untouched. The day Tucker passed away, I got the call at work. When I came home, the pink mouse was in the food bowl. I felt like it was Tucker's way of saying goodbye.

This experience really shaped my spiritual beliefs and made me feel like Tucker's spirit was still around. My song "Save Me" is about how pets have always been there for me, especially during tough times when I felt lonely or isolated. My cats always seem to know when I need them and bring me joy.

Tucker, Boomer, All, Gator, and all of my other cats have been with me through every part of my life. They've been my companions through thick and thin, sensing when I'm not feeling great and coming to comfort me. Tucker's story is a big part of why I believe in the power of pets to support and heal us.