Some bad news. I had to put down the Orange Cat yesterday. He'd gotten into something he shouldn't have eaten on Saturday, was really sick most of Sunday. We spent the evening and most of the night in the Emergency Room. It apparently obstructed and strangled his insides, and the doctors were talking about a long and complicated surgery with a hard recovery for him. Remembering '04, he completely freaked out with a soft cast on a broken paw, I decided it would be too rough on him and had him humanely euthanized.
I have surely complained about his faults, for he had several. He couldn't slow down and enjoy his food, or be content to live and let live with any non-humans, or sit on laps for more than two minutes. Territorial, instigative, moody and would not be denied, whether it was getting into a closet or breaking a monitor by pushing it off a desk.
Past all that, he was a happy pet that kept me company for 8 years. A talented hunter and climber, he had caught and killed houseflies, horseflies, roaches, ants, centipedes junebugs, moths and mice. He was on a first name basis with all the nooks and crannies (and the ceiling!) of the last four places I lived scared the crap out of one dog. He was an excellent page-holder for all kinds of reading materials, enjoyed watching tv with me, and curling up for one of a thousand naps. He never failed when it came to doing dishes, helping to clean up leftovers, and pointing to sinks that were left running. There can be no replacement for him and he will be missed.
