We had to say goodbye to Comet today. He had started to slow down a bit recently and had not eaten well for the past few days. I was excited to see him interested in breakfast (for the first time in awhile), but I quickly realized it would be his last meal as he shuffled outside and had trouble walking. Fortunately he went to his favorite spot under our willow tree to rest.
He chose to adopt us shortly after we moved to Seattle. Our neighbors in the house behind us had picked him up as a stray. We never really knew how old he was, but he loved to jump through the windows and into our old rental house to say hi. He was the best cat you could hope for. Always playful, excellent mouser, fought off the evil raccoons numerous times (even up until two days ago!). He was always excellent around the girls and never bit, scratched or even hissed — which is amazing given how much they pulled, poked, and prodded him as they grew. I will really miss his morning routine of begging for breakfast as we came downstairs every morning. He never liked to be held, but every once in awhile would choose you for the honor of being able to hold him in your lap. He was great at getting folks in the neighborhood to talk to one another as well. I am certain more folks on the blocks around our house know Comet better than they do us.
Godspeed Comet, we will miss you.