Gabe
RIP Gabe
I’ve been waiting a while to post this because…well, I wasn’t dealing with it very well.
Gabe, the house bobcat, died in his sleep two weeks ago, just after turning 5. The vet said it was probably an undetectable genetic heart defect. Not unheard of, and often found in male cats and they rarely live beyond 5-ish. He was sleeping in his favorite spot in the kitchen by the patio door, in the sun, and didn’t wake up.
He was happy here. He arrived kind of broken and distrustful. I believe he left knowing he was loved unconditionally. He loved Bixby and made him his first buddy. Then worked his way through everyone until he finally even won Emma over.
I was his person, but it took him about two years to really trust me, to believe no matter what, I would not dump him at the shelter, especially when he got sick. We got his UTI crystals under control, but each time they flared, the fact I took care of him cemented his trust in me (he was relinquished for soiling outside the litter box because he had chronic UTIs).
I miss him terribly. But…
…the best way to honor him was to make sure another shelter kitty has a safe and fun home. I’ll introduce him later. He’s a character and has a story.
Until then…
Persistence Pays Off
Two years. Two+ long years and Gabe continues to wear Emma down. She’s a tough nut to crack if you’re not Bixby (or Harley) but Gabe is nothing if not persistent.
Gabe Naps
Gabe hoping against hope it will be warm enough for the patio door to be opened (they won’t stay outside if the door is closed because, I don’t know, cats?) As long as they stay in the backyard and come when I call, they will continue to have backyard privileges. Just not when it’s 30 degrees out.
Gabe Would Like To Speak To The Manager
It Only Took Two Years and Two Weeks
It only took two years and two weeks of patient nudging for Emma to let Gabe sleep next to her. He wasn’t going to give up until she relented.
Guarding the Garden
Gabe making sure the garden is safe for the ducks. Ever vigilant.
A Little Scout and Gabe
I needed a new profile picture for Facebook, and Scout obliged.
And here is Gabe doing his balancing act. He has been lying on the rail, which is adorable with all his, shall we say, floofiness (we do not body shame here 😉 ) but whenever I get the camera out, he bolts. I’ll keep trying.