Goodbye

Our beloved Catfish Ted passed away this morning. Even though we are devastated, we know he is in a better place now where he won't be sick anymore. He was absolutely the best cat you could ever imagine. As Tray put it, "Who in their lifetime gets to know a Catfish Ted?" He was always loving, never mean; always affectionate, never aloof. He believed himself to be a dog. He used to follow me to the mail box everyday and go on walks with us through the woods. After he became an indoor cat, you didn't have to sit for long before he would come snuggle up in your lap - and Tray will freely admit that he was the best napping buddy you could ask for.

We've had Catfish for almost as long as we've known each other. He knew and loved Minx - in fact, it was she who taught him how to "be." As a kitten, he followed her around and did what she did. She'd sit patiently as he ate from her dog food bowl and then they would snuggle together on a warm blanket when it was cold.

After Lindy arrived, Catfish found a new best-friend. The two were inseparable. I know she will miss him as much as we already do.

I know that it was his time - but I deeply regret that Penelope will not get to grow up knowing him. I wanted her first word to be "cat," and for a time I thought that would be a real possibility. We are still so shell-shocked that this happened. He was only 9 years old and we thought we had several more years with him.

We miss you buddy. We love you. See you at Rainbow Bridge.