My in-laws adopted a pair of black kittens about 15 years ago. The never got really formal names, except "Boy" and "Girl." They were neutered, vaccinated, and well-fed, but the folks didn't believe in litter boxes, so they had a cat door so they could go out. They live in very rural Massachusetts, and seemed to do very well. They were loved, and came in every night for some serious lap time.
About 2 years ago, Girl stopped coming in much. The folks saw her, but apparently she was spending most of her time with a neighbor. Then, last winter, she stopped coming around at all; the assumption was that she had passed away.
Then, a couple of weeks ago, a car pulled up in the folks' driveway and a gentleman came to the door to let them know he had apparently hit Boy. The cat came in the house, didn't seem to be too badly injured, but steadily declined and disappeared last week.
If you go to my Facebook page, it is Boy that I am petting in my wall photo.
RIP Boy and Girl; you probably deserved better treatment, but you lived your lives the way you liked them, and we loved you.
About 2 years ago, Girl stopped coming in much. The folks saw her, but apparently she was spending most of her time with a neighbor. Then, last winter, she stopped coming around at all; the assumption was that she had passed away.
Then, a couple of weeks ago, a car pulled up in the folks' driveway and a gentleman came to the door to let them know he had apparently hit Boy. The cat came in the house, didn't seem to be too badly injured, but steadily declined and disappeared last week.
If you go to my Facebook page, it is Boy that I am petting in my wall photo.
RIP Boy and Girl; you probably deserved better treatment, but you lived your lives the way you liked them, and we loved you.
