Dear Ethan,
Last Friday I had to euthanize our cat Baile. You'll probably not remember him when your older but I'm sure you'll see some pictures. He was my friend and companion for almost 17 years. He was a very special cat and will be missed. When I first got him he was rescued along with the rest of his litter mates and his mother. He came to live in my little one room house in College Station, and spent most of the first 6 weeks with me hiding behind the sofa. He would only come out to eat and he usually did that when I wasn't home. Some of the things that made him special were that he would come when I would call him, most cats just ignore you, and that he would follow me around from room to room. He would also jump up on the bed and scratch the sheets near my head until I let him under the covers. Once there, he would make his way to my feet and curl up and sleep. The last few months were very stressful and difficult, I don't think I realized just how sick he was, and of course he couldn't tell me. He would meow and want food almost constantly, and sometimes when I put it down he wouldn't eat any. It was very difficult. It's strange but I feel relieved that he is no longer suffering. I am glad you are so young that I didn't have to explain any of this to you. You have more than enough time to learn about life and death. I have had to deal with it many times and it never gets any easier. My only advice to you for the future is to keep moving forward. Remember all of the good times and keep moving forward. There will never be another Baile and I don't think I'll ever want another cat, because none could ever be as cool as Baile was.
Miss you buddy!
Dad
