My Sweet Angel

Angel has been an inside cat ever since he came to live with us 12 years ago. He had a love of the outside but we knew he would not stay close by if he was ever let to have the run of the yard. He had to content himself with sniffs of fresh spring air from an open window or the breeze on his fur when I tucked him into my dressing gown and took him out into the chilly evenings.

Today, we realized he was closer to the end than we had hoped and we knew we would have to take him into the vet. He spent his last hours today being cuddled with us and with some time outside sitting in the yard he always enjoyed watching from the window. He seemed content to simply sit there and feel the grass underneath him.

We will miss Angel in many ways - and will feel the holes he has left each day.  He won't be hopping into my chair when I leave it and curling up, daring me to even think about disturbing him.  He won't be jumping onto the bed to snuggle up beside a warm leg or two.  He won't be biting the leg that moved and disturbed his sleep. And the dogs will no longer be puzzled by a small furry being that constantly walks by them or around them without fear and drinks out of the double dog bowl right beside whichever dog is already there.

But we will always remember a loving cat who came to us as the only pet in the household and transitioned through several feline and canine additions to become the true "elder" of the household. This was his home and he knew that he never needed to worry about losing his special place in our hearts.