Sam: Best Life Ever
Say hello to Sam.
This photograph was taken in 2019, in a second-floor window that looks out over the alley beside the house. It was one of Sam’s favorite places to sit, high enough to watch the world below and close enough to feel a part of it. From there, he could follow the birds, the squirrels, and the steady flow of life along the alley.
Down on the first floor, the sunroom windows were another story. Those windows faced the same alley, but that was where Sam held court. Neighbors passing by would stop to talk with him through the screens, calling his name like he was an old friend. Everyone knew Sam. Everyone loved Sam. He was part of the neighborhood in the same way a favorite landmark becomes part of the landscape.
Sam’s story began far from Maryland. He was a Texas native who grew into a seasoned traveler, jetting off with his mom, Sally, to new places and new adventures on a regular basis. In time, though, Sam retired to Westminster, Maryland and spent his days bathed in the warm light of a sunroom, watching the world with that same easy composure that earned him his nickname: Mr. Majestic.
His nickname certainly fit. Sam carried himself with a quiet confidence, equal parts grace and curiosity. He was a stoic talker, always ready with a soft reply or a loud retort.
Sam was also a high flyer who loved leaping from stairs to floor or between any pieces of furniture. For all that energy, he was gentle at heart. Sam was all fluff and no bite. A lap cat through and through, happiest when curled up with you or beside you.
Sam had his rituals too. Rasta cat treats in the morning and evening. A small taste of vanilla ice cream from time to time. The occasional escape from his carrier just to remind everyone who was in charge before travel time.
Above all else, Sam loved his mom, Sally. He may have been my snuggle buddy curling up in my lap or sleeping next to me in bed, but Sam’s world revolved around his mom. Always near or watching her. Always missing her when she was traveling.
Sam passed away in February 2023 at twenty-one years old. A very long life for a cat. A very “best life ever” for a beloved cat!
Although the house feels emptier and quieter without him, traces of his spirit remain. He is still there in the light of the sunroom. He is still there in the windows above the alley. He is still there in the rhythms of the house. Everywhere we walk in the house, Sam is there.
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Technical Notes:
This image was captured in November 2019 with a Canon M50 and a vintage Auto Sears 55mm f1.4 lens from the late 1960s at an aperture of f2. It was processed for a 1970s glam magazine vibe, emphasizing soft tones, natural light, and a gentle vignette that draws focus to Sam’s stoic expression. Editing was completed in Adobe Lightroom with adjustments to exposure, clarity, and color tone, and the original 4:3 aspect ratio was maintained.
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After Notes:
Sam and the cast of other cats who made and make their home in and around the alley of West End Place in Westminster, Maryland are the inspiration for Tails from the West End, an upcoming web series shaped by their personalities, mischief, and charm.