I am no longer on this world, but my big best buddy Mr. Dod wanted to do a tribute profile of me, because we were the best of pals for so long.  His parents brought me home years ago from a pretty nice little shelter, where they treated me like a prince.  Well, this new family treated me like a king!  I was what you might call a "well-mannered gentleman cat."  I knew where my litter box was at all times.  I never felt the need to spray, at least not in polite company.  I loved, loved, loved sleeping with the humans.  When Mr. Dod came home to stay for a while, he was not in the best of times.  I took it upon myself to cheer him up, and we were practically inseparable.  We could have whole conversations, and sometimes he could understand me (he wasn't crazy, either!).  I kept his chair and bed warm for him in the winter, and we'd watch movies together.  His back scratcher was my favorite new toy.  Soon, age caught up with me, and I got really sick.  There wasn't much for Mr. Dod and his family to do.  I was in a LOT of pain.  No one could pick me up, which I didn't like because that was fun for me.  So, I was helped along on my way to The Neverending Fields, where I always have adventures, food, water, my own big house, toys galore, and best of all, the ability to see how my masters are doing now.  They all still talk about me, and miss me very much, but they know I'm with them all the time.

I've lived all my life at the home of Mr. Dod's parents.  My mama lived with them for only a couple years before she passed away not long after I was born.  My brothers and sisters went to live with family friends and I stayed here.  It's a win-win situation for me!  I don't really like other cats, except for my old friend Max, who left us a few years ago (I think Mr. Dod made a tribute page for him).  We got along great.  I like to think of myself as the guard of the house.  I hate being inside the house, though.  Too many people and dogs.  I have a sweet little area of the garage all to myself:  it's got food, water, and heat when it's cold outside.  I sometimes like to greet people, but mostly with my voice.  I'll let you pet me if I feel like it, otherwise I know how to stay just out of reach.  I absolutely love to roll on the floor.  I don't know...it just feels nice!  Mr. Dod and I have a thing where he'll pet me, then pretend to "ignore" me.  Then, I reach out with my claws and pull his hand to me again.  I think I scratch him sometimes, but he doesn't seem to mind.

I'm a 20-year-old cat who lives with Mr. Dod's wife's mother in Connecticut.  I was the live-in "mascot" of an animal hospital, but when it closed, Miss Maeglin took me home to stay and I've been there ever since.  I've seen it all from my favorite chair, including my brother cat Kurdy, two degus named Ipo and Deka, and someone I miss very much, the rabbit named Bunna.  Mr. Dod started visiting in 2005, and he pays a lot of attention to me.  He loves the big mitts I have.  Yes, I have abnormally-shaped front paws that look like "catcher's mitts."  They come in handy when I'm sleeping (keeps the light out) and when I'm sparring with Kurdy.  I don't really move all that fast anymore, but that's just fine.  I'm given lots of food, water, love, and attention, and that's all I need.  Sometimes, I get so happy, I burst out in song.  I have a very unique voice that's been described as a "raspy howl."  With all that I've seen in my long life, I think I deserve to sing a song or two.

Recently, my health got worse, so I knew it was time for me to move on to the next great adventure.  It was time to go where I could howl stronger and sleep as long as I want in sunshine that never fades.

Do I have to do this?  Oh, alright.  They call me Kurdy, although my given name is William.  I don't like anybody.  Oh, wait, that's not true.  I do love some people.  I just like to be left alone until I decide it's time for people-attention.  I'll let you know.  I was one of those "free to good home" kitties you see in the paper, and I was adopted by a pretty darn good home, if you ask me.  I live with my big brother Russell and two little degus named Ipo and Deka.  A cute little bunny named Bunna used to live here, but it's one of the only things that makes me sad that she's gone.  You try to pet me, I'll cut you.  Well, most of the time.  Sometimes, I like to be pet.  Don't EVER touch my tail.  Instant blood-letting.  Mr. Dod always respects my space, so I allow him to pet me more than most people except for my master.  All in all, it's a really good life.  I just hope a dog never comes here!

This was a tough year for me, and for my masters.  My hip hurt real bad, and then my brother had to go away.  Even a sourpuss like me felt heavy in my heart.  I started feeling worse, and it turned out my hip was far, far worse than they thought at first.  I was ready to move along, ready to go someplace where the treats flowed like rivers and I could sleep just a few feet from my best friend, Russell.