Smudge from Missouri

by Annee Lowe

Smudge was a birthday gift from my daughter in 2002. He was 8 weeks old and jumped in my purse at the pet store. All I could say was, "Oh, yeah... he's a keeper!"

A week later, I found out my husband had terminal cancer. Smudge was my happy through that rough year.

He grew into a loving, funny character of a cat. He was shy around men. My new husband worked with him for 2 years to show him he liked and loved him. They had their own bond, my husband mourns too.

Everyone who we showed him to was enchanted by him. He was sooo soft and gorgeous. He was a Turkish Van.

Fleas almost took him from us twice... luckily our vet saved him twice. God bless our vet and his staff.

Yet when FIP overtook him at age 12, we knew every day he was with us, it was a gift. Even though we chose to have him put to sleep, it was in his best interest. Because we loved him, we couldn't watch him suffer anymore.

We cry because we miss you Smudge. I'll always love you Smudge. No cat will ever replace you.