In 2015, a stray cat made it to my porch and had a litter of kittens. The mother and father were the best cat parents I’ve ever seen! They say together on my porch and got down to play with the kittens! I’d never seen a mother & father cat so involved with their kittens. Everyone was spayed and neutered and homes were found for everyone except Smoke. I just got attached to him. He connected with immediately and loved to play. There was a huge snowstorm and I remember him sticking his head out from a mound of snow. I brought him inside and he just became part of the family. He played with my other cats and just made himself at home.
Unfortunately, after several months, he snuck out one day. I didn’t see him he was gone forever. My mom eventually saw him him living at a house one street over. I’d drive by and he’d stop because he recognized the car and my voice. Then one day he came back. He did this over and over. He’d stay with me and then stay with a sweet lady nearby. He seemed to stay with her in the summer and me in the winter. Sometimes he came back & had a cold. I tried hard to keep him inside and make him healthy. He seemed pretty happy. I kept him inside over a year and things seemed good. He was very attached to me and always sat with me.
My mom had been sick recently and I didn’t guard them exits quite as much as I had been. He snuck out in May of 2021. Went back to the same lady. I eventually spoke to her and she said “Oh that’s Coco! He has the loudest purr!” I was glad she looked after him. I’m moving soon and felt safe leaving him with her. Yesterday, he showed up and was clearly very sick. I brought him inside and made an area for him to sleep. He got up and got next to me. He made an effort to be close to me. I woke up and ….he’d passed away. Picture this. This cat was on the verge of death and walked a block just to be with me! Think of the distance he travelled given his size. I am absolutely blown away and honored beyond belief. Every time he had a cold he would come home to be with me. I wish I could’ve saved him. I loved Smoke! He was my buddy.
Sadly, my mom just passed away two weeks ago. At least I know he had a familiar face to greet him. I miss them both.
Unfortunately, after several months, he snuck out one day. I didn’t see him he was gone forever. My mom eventually saw him him living at a house one street over. I’d drive by and he’d stop because he recognized the car and my voice. Then one day he came back. He did this over and over. He’d stay with me and then stay with a sweet lady nearby. He seemed to stay with her in the summer and me in the winter. Sometimes he came back & had a cold. I tried hard to keep him inside and make him healthy. He seemed pretty happy. I kept him inside over a year and things seemed good. He was very attached to me and always sat with me.
My mom had been sick recently and I didn’t guard them exits quite as much as I had been. He snuck out in May of 2021. Went back to the same lady. I eventually spoke to her and she said “Oh that’s Coco! He has the loudest purr!” I was glad she looked after him. I’m moving soon and felt safe leaving him with her. Yesterday, he showed up and was clearly very sick. I brought him inside and made an area for him to sleep. He got up and got next to me. He made an effort to be close to me. I woke up and ….he’d passed away. Picture this. This cat was on the verge of death and walked a block just to be with me! Think of the distance he travelled given his size. I am absolutely blown away and honored beyond belief. Every time he had a cold he would come home to be with me. I wish I could’ve saved him. I loved Smoke! He was my buddy.
Sadly, my mom just passed away two weeks ago. At least I know he had a familiar face to greet him. I miss them both.
