Bijou Greenbaum

Bijou’s Story

Bijou and I found each other at the Las Vegas ASPCA in March of 2011. I went into the animal shelter looking desperately to find myself a furry roommate to share my home with. The moment this petite little panther came up to me and gave me a nudge on my leg, it was love at first sight. Her name was “Samy Joe,” and she was presumably 5 years old. Her story is bittersweet, as she had belonged to a homeless woman who could no longer care for her, dropped her off at the shelter, and donated $20. I knew that I had to give this little girl the amazing life that she deserved upon hearing her origin story.

Bijou and I were partners in crime ever since then. She accompanied me on road trips to California and eventually moved to Denver with me. She loved “zoomie hour” when she would jump-kick off the walls, and then meow at herself in the mirror for hours.

A few more years down the road, she gained two new roommates when we moved in with my now husband and his two rambunctious Boston Terriers, Sophie and Baxter. While their initial meeting was a bit chaotic, they all became best friends pretty instantly. Baxter especially took Bijou under his wing, and she loved being a part of the “Squid Squad” during snack hour, mealtime, and every night when we would all cuddle up on the couch with each other. She loved Temptations treats, catnip, and soft blankets.

In 2016, after we lost her to an unfortunate and aggressive kidney disease, an emptiness filled the house, and everybody felt it. While I only got to physically have her in my life for a short time, she has left an incredible mark on so many lives, both human and animal.

I’m so thankful that I was able to give her the life she deserved, filled with so much love, kisses, dog-licks, and head-boops.