I have had pets for many years. The first was a white long hair
cat named Spooky I got while a freshman at NC State. As pets were not
allowed in dorm rooms, I eventually had to take the cat home to live with my
parents. Spooky suffered from a chronic bladder infection that eventually
took his life. After marring n and I got a gray cat
named Tigger. He got into several fights after we moved to Jackson, Mississippi.
An infection set in after one of these fights that took his life.
In March of 1978 Ann and I got a pair of Siamese-Himalayan kittens who we named Darth and
Vader. Darth died at the age of 8 years with pneumonia. Vader passed away at
the age of 18 years with kidney failure.
Just before Vader passed away, we took in a stray white kitten, Kosh, who helped us
through the loss of Vader. While we were building our new house in
1996-97, Ann and I took in
another stray kitten, Gabriel. Both Kosh and Gabriel spend their time indoors, with
visits to the deck. After retiring in 2001, I
spent most of my time at the
boat and they become boat cats - great while the boat is moored - not so happy
when it is moving! Being back in a house suites them
well - they are looking forward to a fenced in backyard and getting out a bit.
We have also had three dogs - by the kid's request. The first was a white German
shepherd, Kira, who was killed by a car when she was about two. A year later we got
another female German shepherd with traditional markings, Seigrid. She learned to
open the gate to her pen with her nose, so we had to keep a lock on it to keep her in!
The first time she went into heat, a child in Ann's daycare took the lock off the
pen. The next morning Seigrid was laying on the side porch with a big grin and a
cigarette. She had 8 puppies, all which lived. We gave away 7 of the puppies -
including one to the boy who took the lock off the pen. The father of the puppy we
kept was an Australian shepherd.
Seigrid is passed away at 2AM July 26th 2001 from old age. Justin and
I were with her at her death. It was peaceful, but you could detect fear
from not understanding. She was between 14 and 15 years old. Justin
and I buried Seigrid in the woods behind the house were she enjoyed roaming so
much. Singin, one of Seigrid's pups, moved in
with a friend in Oriental in 2003.
Mary has two Shiatsu that are a lot of fun and have added
much excitement into Kosh and Gabe's lives. Prior to meeting Kosh and Gabe,
Quanaha and Princeton and never met a cat. Things were a little tense at
first, but while they are not the best of friends now, they at least tolerate
each other!
February 7, 2005 - One of our two Shiatsu passed away this
morning. Quanaha was only 6 years old, but was suffering from an apparent
spinal cord injury, and quite possibly some other illness. His
intelligence and good nature will be miss by Mary, his buddy Princeton (whose
main companions will now be our two cats) and myself. We look forward to
the day, when in heaven we will be rejoined with past family, friends and all
the pets God saw fit to bless out lives with.
April 22, 2007 - A new Shiatsu has arrived from Texas. Nickie comes
form the same breeder as Princeton and Quanaha. A small fuzz ball, she was
a bundle of energy.
December 2007 - Nickie has integrated into our family - and our hearts.
She drives Princeton and the cats crazy with her endless energy. Princeton
will get fed up and attack Nickie, never really hurting her, but getting the
message across loud and clear - LEAVE ME ALONE! Nickie thinks that Gabe is
her play toy. She head butts the cat in the side, and it angers him to no
end. Being big and slow, Gabe is not able to catch Nickie's - but if he
ever does . . .
May 28, 2009 - Kosh passed away this morning following 8 months of declining
health. He was cremated and is hiding among the Christmas china along
with his favorite stuffed toy - Mr. Snuffologfus. He used to walk around
the house holding the toy and meowing loudly at the same time - we never could
figure out why. He was 13 1/2 years old and one of the best traveled cats
(along with Gabe). He spent time in 5 different houses, plus living on the
sailboat, and spending 6 months in Texas convincing Mary to move to North
Carolina. Kosh was probably the sweetest cat I have ever had - his love
and humor will be missed. He was 13 1/2 years old
June 17, 2009 - Unbelievably, in less than 3 weeks since Kosh passed away,
Gabriel has now passed away. About a month ago he was diagnosed with
severe diabetes. While we were aware it would take his life, we were
totally unprepared for his death. Gabe was probably the most difficult cat
to understand of any I have had. His idea of being petted was about 3 rubs
and then he would try to bite you! And don't even think about picking him
up - he did not ever want to be picked up. The vet labeled him an "angry
cat" when taken out of his environment. Yet for all that, when the lights
were turned off at night to go to sleep, he would get in our bed and DEMAND to
be loved. Failure to do so would result in a head butt that would have
left a pro wrestler seeing stars. The backyard fence was the greatest event in
his life - to be outside was the ultimate joy for Gabe. As with Kosh and
Quanaha, his ashes will be placed in the china cabinet, to ever be a part of our
lives. Gabe was 12 1/2 years old.
July 21, 2009 - After having had cats continually for over 31 years, being
without was more than I could bear. I went to Pet's Mart, where they do
not sell cats, but have them displayed for an animal rescue organization and
found a beautiful kitten. A week later we had been approved and LeLou came
home with us. She and Nikkie (the female Shiatsu) have become the best of
buddies - they chase each other, wrestle, sleep and eat together. They are
quite a pair. LeLou has become the queen of the house and is growing
quickly. The funny thing is that she has traits of both Kosh and Gabe.
Justin and puppy Kira
Darth,
Vader and Kira
Vader taking a nap Laurin and kitten Gabriel
Laurin and Gabriel
Kosh taking a nap
A healthy 12 year old Seigrid
Seigrid's son, Singin!
Quanaha & Princeton Quanaha, Princeton,
(Kosh in the background)
Kosh and Gabe
Nickie Arrives Princeton's In
the back yard Gabe is not
first smell
a happy cat!
Nickie as A good sailor
10 weeks old The Queen
Marvinette always wears
LeLou
Martian
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