Our cat Cal “Cal” or as some people called him “Calvin” was our companion, friend, buddy, child and a real member of our family even though he was a feline. We were introduced to “Cal” and his siblings as feral kittens born and raised under our office trailer complex for a power plant being built in Fremont, Ohio by a company named Calpine, thus the name Cal. There were four kittens in the litter he was in, two male orange tabbies and two female gray tabbies. There are other stories related to the parents and Cal’s siblings which will not be addressed. As indicated above, Cal was one of two orange tabby males. Cal appeared to want to be a part of what was going on, but was shy or timid, apparently some people did not like cats and thus gave him the impression he was not liked. There were some signs that Cal had been mistreated. This writer was one of a few people that took an interest in Cal and his siblings, by feeding them, or at least trying to feed them. There is another item that probably influenced Cal’s behavior and life. Cal and his siblings were all “fixed” so they would not contribute to the feral cat population in and around the project. As indicated above this writer basically was the person most involved with Cal while at work. Besides being “fixed” Cal and his siblings got vaccinated for their needs as being feral. It was observed that Cal would follow this writer around the project without being called or offered any incentives. Cal came to be a member of our working family, by being around when people went out to smoke or take a break on the exterior walkway/porch. Cal learned he could also get fed by coming up onto the porch area. This writer’s spouse observed Cal following me around and decided that he should join our personal family. The project had indications of being accelerated soon, with more people around that did not particularly like cats, so that is how he became a member of our family. We at home already had two other cats. Our existing cats were both indoors only and so it was our intention for Cal to be one also. Cal adapted to the idea of being indoors very well. There were concerns as to how Cal would adapt and if the three would get along. We were surprised that Cal did not seem bothered or concerned being an indoor cat, especially having been basically a feral. It did take a while, and eventually they all got along rather well. In many respects, this writer thinks Cal was really OK with being just Cal. We learned early that Cal followed what we had learned about “traits” that orange tabbies had or have. He would talk to us, I guess he had things to say, we didn’t understand “cat” but we seemed to get along very well. His desire to talk to us was continuous up to his passing. Cal made some significant changes within his life, not necessarily by his choice. Cal was born under our office trailer complex on a power plant project. He spent about two years just hanging around and being around the project. Cal then spent about three years living with us away from the power plant where he started from. We noticed that Cal would disappear under a bed or hide in some obscure location when and if the doorbell rang. We were not certain as to why this occurred. Cal usually reappeared fairly soon after. Over time, particularly the last two or so years, Cal seemed confident of his surroundings/world in our home. He even ventured out to check on what was going on, and sometimes greeted people. As a member of our family he had another major event, a move from Ohio to Washington State. He and his adopted siblings flew from Cleveland, OH to Portland, OR to get to their new home in Washington. This writer picked them up at the Portland airport very late at night and drove them back to their new home. The new home was much smaller, but had many more higher and interesting places to see, be at and explore, so they all adapted fairly quickly. Cal and everyone else settled in quite well for the next two plus years. Work assignments for this writer caused fairly lengthy absences at times away from the “family”; some were as long as 6 months. I was surprised that Cal knew me immediately, he did have to investigate all the smells I brought from wherever I had been. He appeared glad to see me, so was I to see him. When Cal’s adopted brother passed, Cal did not inherit the Alpha role. Cal had become the guardian of the house before his brother passed, but became more so after his passing. Cal thought “Polar Tec” or just plain fleece was the best thing going, he loved it! We were lucky enough to have several locations that had the fleece and Cal was in heaven at them. Cal enjoyed his heated kitty beds. We generally would plug them in mid to late October and unplug it early April. This writer being retired had the advantage and opportunity to take a nap, usually after lunch. Cal and I had somewhat of a routine. After lunch, I would ask Cal if he wanted a nap. This meant me sitting and then reclining and Cal joining me on my chest for a nap. Apparently the “nap” was an important thing for Cal; he continued the activity up to and including his last day with us. We know cats are stoic so we also know and saw that Cal had good and better days. It was first noticed that Cal was eating well but still losing some weight so he was treated for that problem which seemed to basically correct our concerns. As time progressed additional concerns were noticed, including more weight loss. Cal was a lucky cat especially considering how and where he started his life’s journey. Cal’s life lasted almost 17 years. If Cal had not gone to live with us and had stayed at the power plant project, his life probably would have been very much shorter. There were coyotes and raccoons near or within the jobsite, so he would have been pray for another animal. Considerable effort and expense was made to help him hopefully improve his life this past year plus. Cal was a “fighter” up until the very end. Cal was also very lucky to have a Vet that really cared, which was important to all of us. Various events occurred including even more weight loss and some body function difficulties which made it appear that it was time for Cal to not have all the difficulties he was having. Our Vet also thought it was the right and proper time for us to say “sweet dreams” and goodbye to Cal ! I the author of this document have written it with an attempt to express how this ordinary/typical (to many people) Orange Tabby cat named Cal or Calvin has made me appreciate him as a member of the family and how much I miss him. We (my wife and I) have had other cats which were too significant members of the family, but I for some reason seem to wanted to express how Cal was so much to me and our family, by writing this. I know I am not the only person that has had or is dealing with a somewhat similar situation, it is not easy and I do understand. It is amazing how a regular animal such as a cat or dog can make such an impact on us. I just wanted to express my thoughts and feelings. I am a senior citizen myself, so things such as illness and eventual death are more a part of our life than when we were much younger. I have become much more aware and concerned with “death” in general than I was a few years ago.

Michael (Mike) Aldrich