Another old friend leaves us

I brought Sebastian (Bubba) home as a very young kitten when I was 18.  I was still living at home with my parents.  He was very ill.  He had a huge hernia that required 3 surgeries to repair it.  He had a heart murmur that made anesthetic difficult.  But he was a fighter, and his personality broke through and he quickly became my best friend.  He was the best cat.  He was friendly, tolerant and affectionate.  He befriended my parents' dog Willie, and then Chris's dog Tai.  After we moved in with Chris he would cuddle with Tai for hours, grooming him.  In between his toes, inside his ears, under his lips. 

When we had children we found out how truly amazing our Bubba was.  He became protective of the babies, and more tolerant than I could hope for.  He would let any baby do anything to him without fear of repercussion.  Babies could tug his ears and tail, poke his eyes, sit on him, all while he purred and rubbed against them for more attention.  As the children grew older he started setting limits with a nip or swat of his paw, never using claws or drawing blood.  And yet when a new baby was born, he became tolerant of their rough play once again. 

Zander and Phoenix playing dress-up with Bubba

I guess Bubba was cold and needed some blankets and diapers to keep warm

Fat Bubba keeping baby Finnlee company

What a tolerant boy!

The kids were always dressing him up in doll clothes

Here Bubba, have an apple

Baby Solstice giving bubba a hug

At 17 years old I guess Sebastian just couldn't hold on without his long time friend Zeppelin.  After she died he spent several weeks roaming the house calling out for her. He started showing signs of his age.  He was walking more slowly, sleeping more, eating less.  We witnessed him having a few small seizures, and signs that he had had more.  I also believe he had a stroke.  Several days ago, he stopped eating all together.  His left front leg was dragging behind him, useless.  I knew he would leave us soon.  We made him as comfortable as we could.  He slept on my bed with the electric blanket turned on to warm him.  We brought him water and gave him lots of cuddles and love.  He hung on for days, weak but responsive.  He would lift his head and rub against my hand long after he lost the strength to raise his body to walk.  His rumbling purr the response whenever we touched him.   On Easter Sunday we left him on the warm bed to go for a walk.  When we came home, he was gone.  I wasn't holding him, I wasn't whispering my love to him, but I believe he knew how very much he was loved.  His presence will be missed here for a long, long time.

Young Zander with his best buddy

Zander reading to Sebastian in a laundry basket

Bubba keeping a sick Zander company

Best friends

He loved sitting in boxes

Baskets

And bags

It there was a box, he would find it

We will bury Sebastian next to Zeppelin in our expanding pet cemetery.  He will be remembered most for his very loud demanding meow, his rumbling purr, his soft smooth fur, and his sweet nature.  Goodbye my dear friend.