Gus: A True Companion

This is Zoë's Blog.  But, today, it belongs to Gus.

Sadly, our dear ginger tabby passed on New Year's Eve.  He had a sudden and very acute pancreatic episode and despite the best efforts of his veternarian, he slipped away from us early Friday night.

Never could there have been a more class act than this cat. He was a true companion and a kind soul. A better friend than most of us will ever have. 

When I met Gus, he was the 'clinic cat' at a local veterinary hospital.  He had been abandon there, left in a sealed cardboard box.  He had been living at the clinic for two years.  I feel in love with his larger-than-life personality and his incredible ego!  That was Thanksgiving 2000.  His age could only be estimated, but the consensus was that he was at least 3 yrs old when I adopted him.  He has been my "G" for very close to 11 years.  When Kypros came into our lives, his relationship with Gus got off to a rocky start.  But, they quickly became fast friends for life.

For a cat that had suffered the negative side of humanity, he was a trusting, upbeat guy - always there to greet you at the front door, always there when you tried to make the bed (with him in it!!), always there when you needed a friend.  He was affectionate, playful and accepting - even to a crazy Blue Picardy Spaniel.  He taught Zoë who was really "The Boss" of the household.  He pretended to hate her, but he had allowed her into his house and access to his "humans".  He allowed her to share his last day...

Zoë knew something was wrong with her cat brother.  Before we took Gus to the vet, Zoë gently jumped on the bed where he was.  She lay down very close to him and just sighed.  She stayed there with him until it was time for us to take Gus.  It was the sweetest and most heartbreaking moment that either Kypros or I had witnessed between the two of them.

There is an uncanny quietness in our home today. 

We love you Gussy, Nola will be a dear forever friend to you now ........




"If animals could speak the dog would be a a blundering outspoken fellow, but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much." - Mark Twain