Calvin The Wonder Cat (b. June 1, 1994 – d. July 22, 2008)
My husband adopted Jumper a.k.a Calvin and his sister Monty a.k.a Annie (b. June 1, 1994 – d. June, 2001) in July, 1995 from North Shore Animal League America (www.nsalamerica.org). Calvin was born on ~June 1, 1994… A cat with the most impeccable table manners; generous with his affectionate head butts and love bites on one’s toes. We met for the first time November, 2001 in Cobble Hill, New York- a soft fluffy round tuxedo cat came to greet me while I sat on the couch. I wish I had the pleasure of getting to know Annie and Marcie (another of my husband’s previous cats).
Overall, Calvin’s health had been excellent ever since his adoption. 2008 had been a very tough year, during which Calvin was diagnosed with melanoma.
I can’t stress enough that the best gift you can give to your pet is quality and timely veterinary care and enrolling in a pet medical insurance program.
(This is an excerpt of a letter written to relatives)
Our beloved Calvin passed away ~12:30am on July 22, 2008 after a courageous three-month battle with melanoma. His last moments were peaceful and in the presence of his family. To the very end he enjoyed his cat brush and got to spend a little time the previous evening out on the porch lapping up the outdoors air. Calvin will soon claim his place among the peonies in the yard he could never get enough of and will always be remembered as a truly sweet and wonderful companion.
I’m still really saddened by his death, but unrelenting in keeping his memory alive in different ways. I think some days I feel better than others and I’m sure my husband is still privately grieving. Calvin’s courage taught me to live life to its fullest and regret nothing. We are very thankful for all the knowledgeable guidance and compassionate care he received which made possible our extended time with him. Besides the aforementioned, these are just a few of the many things I will remember him for:
His love of fresh catnip, especially rolling around in it
Ham, roast beef, free-feeding on kibbles from a gravity feeder (he was ~21 lbs. when we met)
Sleeping on his back with front paws slightly folded up
Jumping into a box filled with packing peanuts
I would like to finish this entry by saying how lucky we were to have shared such fun and wonderful times with him… that on especially sunny days I’m imagining that he’s somewhere over the rainbow bridge happily playing in the company of his siblings and new-found friends.
