Smokey

"Let's get a cat."

My brother Brian had moved in with me in early 2000, and his suggestion was to get a cat.

Which- our family had always been a dog family.  We had a German Shepherd (Snafu), a Black Lab (Midnight), two Siberian Huskies (Shadow and Zinny)... yes, we technically one cat- but she treated us with disdain.

But we lived in half of a duplex in Lakewood, and there was no room for a dog.  So we went to the Cleveland Animal Protective League, and picked up a Domestic Shorthair.  She wasn't my first choice- she wasn't Brian's first choice- but she was the only one we could agree on.

Then we couldn't agree on a name at all- I think he wanted to name her Rudy, and I wanted Mystery.  We finally settled on Smokey (or Smoky- never could figure out the proper spelling).  I hadn't wanted a cat, but Brian did... why not?

Two weeks later, Brian wasn't that interested in having a cat.  But I was hooked.  Smokey liked to hop up and let me pet her, even though she was shy around everyone else.

Fast forward ten months.  An online friend was visiting from Boston.  I tried to warn her that Smokey was shy, and "... you might not even see her while you're here."

An hour later, Smokey was sitting on her stomach, purring.  At that point, I pretty much had to marry Katie- my cat approved of her,

More than me, in fact.  I'd been replaced as the only tolerable human in Smokey's life.  But they needed each other.  When Katie was down, Smokey was there for here.

About five years ago, we brought another cat into the house- Pippin.  Twice Smokey's size, the single friendliest cat I've ever met.  And the most doglike cat I've ever met.  Smokey can't stand Pippin- which makes Pippin even try harder to be more friendly.  

But this past week, Smokey has been lethargic.  And not eating.  And today we went to the vet, and... she has fluid in his stomach, and a low count red blood cells.  The prognosis isn't good- we're giving her Prednisolone, but the medicine won't cure her- just give her energy, allow her to eat, and prolong her life for some time.

The medicine seems to be working- she's sat in both of our laps, and seems much more energetic.

They say All Dogs Go To Heaven.  It won't be Heaven unless Cats are there to.