Erasmus Darwin II
Originally uploaded by Sheriagogo.
Quiet, polite and loving, never wanting to be a bother, our beloved Ras (pronounced 'razz') wandered off sometime during the confusion of house painting and construction last week and has never returned.
He was 13 years old this year - merely middle aged for a feline - but he was blind and has missed his life long companion Pandora terribly since her sudden dissapearance (from his perspective) a year and a half ago. She was struck by a car 6 weeks before my due date with Zoe and required intensive and expensive vet care so the Animal Hospital took her in and found her a new home. I last heard she was doing fine.
But poor Ras has been through a great deal these past years, what with two new babies and the loss of Pan. As far as we know he was healthy but then he never did complain much. Just asked politely for a cuddle now and then. A subtle reminder about food, water and the litter box. Those subtle reminders are still here... for a while longer... just in case. We haven't told the kids yet.
In the meantime Steve and I are prone to melancholy as hope of Ras's return fades and we reminisce about this perfect cat, our first child.
