I met The Dude when I was finishing college. He belonged to a roommate of mine who left town and abandoned his three cats. I found a home for one, the other disappeared before I could catch him and The Dude...well, I knew I wanted him and he wanted me. He wasn't a kitten at the time, in fact he was the biggest cat I'd ever seen, but he was spry and full of energy, so very very handsome in his soft grey coat and green & copper eyes. He had that round, full face that looked as though he was always smiling. He was social and confident; it was always remarked that he was the "coolest cat" ever met.

Though he was social, he never wandered away from home. He was a mama & a papa's boy. He came when called and he even ran to me when he saw me & I'd hold my arms out for him. When I lived alone, he waited for me by the door after work. He slept at our feet every night, napped on our laps, begged for our attention when we took him for granted and drank directly from the faucet. He loved the sun. We'd let him out on the front porch where he'd eventually wake up meowing, as though he wanted to be let in. We'd hold the screen door open for him only to discover he wanted us to come outside with him.

I started to think he'd live forever, but two years ago, we truly began to see his age. His smile disappeared, he became thin and his strong muscles weakened. He always compensated and I pretended that he'd always be with me.

He ended up being a part of my life, through all my trials and changes for 18 years, which meant he was at least 19-20 when he passed away in my arms Tuesday afternoon. His heart was struggling, his breathing was labored and he was suffering. He loved us so he would have hung on til the bitter end if I had let him. It was the hardest thing I've ever done and life will never be the same.

We love you, Dude. We always will.

Laura L.