Coal was one of the most independent cats I have ever had the honor of being owned by. He was part of Blackie’s first litter and looked a lot like her as a kitten. He was also brother to Sami, Olivia, and Smokie.
As he grew, he became stocky and bold and would fly right past a human’s legs to get outside to find out what he was missing. He would always come home,
though, to eat, play, cuddle, and sleep.
One day he did not arrive home and then another day and another. We all watched out for him, hoping, praying, he would return.
Six months later he appeared, as if out of nowhere, ate some food, and was off again. He would come and go, eating food left out for him, but seemingly not wanting to come home and be the housecat he was again.
At the end of winter, Grandpa had left some food outside and Coal came to eat it, let Grandpa pet him, and Grandpa saw that he had only one eye!
Grandpa scooped him up and brought him inside where he remained forevermore.
He never even went near the door again!
Whatever happened out there had been
enough for the rascal!
Coal became the lay-around housecat, a little older, a little wiser, and a lot more loving and cuddling. He even got himself a girl-cat, Snowball. The two were inseparable. They would lounge on a chair or play “chase” and snuggle close when bedtime came.
Coal had what we believe to have been a stroke about 6 months ago, which left one leg paralyzed. But he went about, slowly and surely.
Recently, he became ill with a kidney/bladder infection and we knew it was time to let him go to the rainbow bridge and be free. He is happy again, and is once
more frolicking in the sun.
We will miss you my big boy, but know that one day, we will be together once more.
With love and headrubs,
| Coal |
| 28, Aug 2009 |
| Michelle & Tom Kissel |