The Story of How Mary Kathrine (aka Kate the Cat) came to be...Both my husband and I had lost our beloved kitties of 16+ years in the past, prior to being together. It hurt so badly losing my first kitty that I wasn't sure my heart could take the loss again so we went our first three years together pet less. Then, one day...on my husband's birthday, he came to me and said, "I want a kitty for my birthday." How could I say no! So off to the shelter we went...want to save someone who didn't have a home. It was love at first sight...she was so sweet. Then, we saw the note hanging on the cage. Kitty reserved until 3:00PM today...if new owner doesn't show she'll be back up for adoption. THEY DIDN'T SHOW, and little sweet Mary Katherine was ours. Adopted on my husband's birthday. She was sweet, and fun, adventurous, and a pain in the butt to all neighborhood dogs enclosed behind a sturdy fence. She would pay them all a visit to torture them with her freedom. When they got loose they always ran straight for our house...want to return the visit, or maybe to make her pay. She was the camouflage cat who could be sitting right in view under a bush and just blend right in with her surroundings. Helped her catch more than one hummingbird in her lifetime, sad to say. Kate the Cat had the "irresistible flop". She'd approach, and just flop down on her side, waiting for some attention. Kate was royalty, a self-appointed Princess who had my husband and myself as loyal servants who did anything for her. She was a sweet Baby Girl. Kate loved our rolling desk chair. Laying on it with delight as we would roll it around our large game room spin the chair as we sent her off sailing across the floor until the chair would bound (gently) into something and come to a stop, waiting for us to spin her again. She was such a fun cat...loving to ride in the wheelbarrow as I ran as fast as I could around the yard. Standing tall, holding onto the front as we flew around. Went along with her love of water. She loved to chase the hose. I couldn't run fast enough to keep it away, no matter how drenched she got as I was spinning it around for her to chase. She was such a dog...and I say that with great appreciation of dogs, and their differences from being a cat. She followed us everywhere, she loved to ride in the car. My husband had a dear friend who wanted a baby girl kitty but already had two (male) cats, so he shared his Kate with her. I could put Kate in the car, drive to our friend's house, open the door, and she'd jump out, and go into their house through the pet door. I'd text, saying she was there. I'd come back after work, and she'd be sitting there waiting for me. I could open the door, she'd jump in, I'd text that I had her, and off we'd go...returning her to her waiting dad. She never spent a moment alone her first few years of her life. Then I lost my husband, and had Kate as loving comfort during those difficult times...we comforted each other. She missed him greatly and looked for him often. Shortly after moving back to my home town my sweet baby girl got very sick…Eddie Haigh diagnosed she had hyperthyroidism, and provided her care for about five years before she succumbed to complications due to the medications which weakened her kidneys. I appreciated his awareness of her being a Princess, and chuckle remembering the challenges we had knowing if something was a symptom, or her ever-so delicate Princess attitude. I am grateful for the loving care from all the staff at Haigh Veterinary Clinic, for both Kate, and me. They are heartfelt and knowledgeable. And the Haigh’s, I so truly appreciate them for their care and professionalism, and am more than honored for providing me this opportunity to memorialize my sweet Mary Katherine Ryan Wilson…she was a dear friend! I still miss her greatly.