One for cat lovers...

Diana,

  Your Merlin reminds me of my first cat "Fluff" Ok the name doesn't show much inspiration, but I was only young. He was my first pet and lived to age of 17 finally circuming to cancer. My next cat "Fred" was poisoned by an over zealous neighbour who didn't take kindly to Fred digging up the neighbours garden. That broke my heart. I'd just set up home on my own and Fred was about 2 years old. I then had 'Jess' who was identical to Fred, in that they were both Jet Black short haired tabbys. Jess has stayed in the UK whilst I'm away.

 The main point I want to make is at no time did I feel that one cat replaced another. They're all unique characters, and all have individual places in my memorys.

I feel the same way Ian. We used to have six cats and now are down to three. Our first one Dusty was grey and looked like a Russian Blue. He was very talkative but passed at 17 from cancer and renal failure. Then there was Raphie who sorta came with the house we bought. He looked like Diana's Merlin. He was so loving. Would just plop down on top of your feet and start rolling around. He would lick the tears off your face. He died at 16 from renal failure. Then there were the four brothers and sister (all one liter). I had a habit of bringing in stray litters and finding homes for them. I couldn't resist this bunch. There are two beige tabbies, Jingles and Rascal. And two tuxedos, Cuddles and Katie. We lost Jingles at 7 due to a rare form of cancer usually only found in dogs. 

So we have Rascal, Cuddles and Katie left now and they are 10 years old. We have the three others ashes in boxes with some of their fur and a whisker. My daughter has them all neatly spaced on her bookshelf like a little shrine! 

You are so right how each one is unique and has their own little personality that no one could ever take their place. My cats are like my kids. I have had the siblings since they were 4 weeks old. They treat me like their Mum. 

Diana,

 Chuckles is 16 years old and is in the early stages of kidney disease. I found him abandoned in the snow at work. He was only about three-weeksold and it was a week before Christmas 1992. I work on an Air Force base and we have a vet that takes care of military working dogs but sees pets on a space available basis.

I got chuckles in that day and the prognosis was not good. He was wormy, suffered from hypothermia, parasites, and near death. I asked the vet to just give me whatever medications he can to help me and I would take him home; if he was going to die, I was determined to at least make him comfortable.

Needless to say, he surprised everyone and fully recovered. He has been an absolute pleasure and has brought us much happiness. It's sad to see him losing weight, but at least he has a wonderful life.

Barb, what a great story! Bless his little heart!

Ian, you are right of course; I too have had a number of cats over the years and I remember each one for his/her unique personality.  Right now I think I am still missing Merlin too much (heck, last night I dreamed he jumped into my arms and let me hold him for the longest time). While I definitely will have another cat one day, now is not the time.

Bob, what an amazing story about your Chuckles!  I am so sorry that he is ill now. Bless him, and bless you for taking a chance and giving the little fella a chance at a life. Thanks to you he has had 16 wonderful years to love and be loved!

These are so funny! I love cats!!!

I especially like the one with the naked baby and the cat, and the cat with the chicken!!!

Thanks to Rhett for this one:

The Kitten and the Fawn