Ali

Even after 22 years... and amid arthritis, low blood pressure, the inability to do the things he loved, and other ailments that come with being over 100 years old (in cat years)... Ali still had a strong heart when he left us the end of June. The other half of the duo, Ali and Frazier, he has joined his brother in cat heaven where I'm sure they are snuggled up next to each other, expecting the world to revolve around them, and are busy complaining about the other two cats and the kids they were forced to share their domain with toward the end of their lives.

Ali was a great cat and loved by us all. Maybe sometimes loved and adored a little too much for his liking.

And after that kind of lovin' and playin', he always came back for more. His heart wasn't only strong, it must've been big. Ali will be missed.

Once a household of four cats (Craig and I each had two when we married), time has whittled us down to one, Buster. And not even he has escaped the aging process at 16. Just before Ali passed away, Buster was diagnosed with diabetes. You know, at one point in my life I wanted to be a nurse, but decided giving shots was just too much (apparently job criteria calls for giving shots without fainting at the sight of a needle). Now I must say, I'm pretty smooth with those insulin shots. Apparently I've grown up a lot in my 181 years... and yes, those would be cat years.