DesPurrado Bobcat Dies It seems like it is always raining when we have to euthanize a cat and today was no exception. DesPurrado has been battling renal failure as well as dealing with thyroid issues for a long time, and with a change in meds recently we saw great improvement and had hoped he would be able to have a little longer with us. We always supply supportive care for as long as a cat has the will to live, and we try to watch the cat closely for signs that they are telling us that it is "time." Just a few days ago, DesPurrado was chasing lizards and showing his usual zeal for life, but when he refused his favorite meal in the whole world - whole prey rat, we knew he was giving up. On Wednesday, he didn't even get up to come for his rat, even though rat night is the highlight of his existence. At dinner time, even cats who are great buddies by day will threaten each other viciously over their favorite treats. Little Dove would ordinary grab her rat and run, but this week when she saw that DesPurrado wasn't feeling well enough to come get his, she sweetly carried her prize over to him and offered it up. He seemed to appreciate the gesture, but did not feel like eating it. Yesterday, when a bunch of us were in Moses and Bailey's cage next door; that would have been of the utmost interest to curious cats like DesPurrado, but he just laid in the grass, staring off into space. Where ever he was going, he was already on his way. Jamie and I decided to see if he would eat Thursday night, but he wouldn't and he refused his meds in favorite treats. We knew he would never get better, but had hoped to give him a quality of life worth living for a little longer. Like his response to Little Dove, he seemed to appreciate the gesture, but he was ready to go. Not wanting to make his last moments here those of being put into a carrier and carted to the vet, I asked if Dr. Wynn would come to his home today to help him cross over into whatever is waiting next for him. Jennifer helped and we all sat with him in the rain as he drifted away. They noted the huge and gorgeous butterfly that floated about his enclosure, in between the downpours. I wonder who had come to guide him on? Could it be Hercules or Catera who were living in my bedroom with him and Cleo-cat-tra bobcat back in 1997? Or Windsong coming to gather him back into her "pride" and the realm of the unknown? I don't know, but I do know that we will miss him and his great love of life. Tribute to Esmerelda Serval My favorite memory of Esmerelda was captured in a photo that I haven't seen in a while. It was long before digital images so it may not have ever been scanned. We had just built a big enclosure on the lake bank that was fenced on three sides and then extended far out into the water so that she could swim. The lake bank was steep and tiered in flowers and plants to prevent erosion. Esmerelda stood on the bank over looking the lake and her unfettered view of the land beyond. While there was a fence in the lake to keep her contained, she could stand on the bank and look out over the top of it and perhaps pretend that it was not there. She manifested all that is regal; all that is powerful and all that is capable of seeing a better future than the current reality. I've been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views. If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story. The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/ I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story. My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet. You can help feed the cats at