Nathan died of kidney failure this morning. The vet called about 9:00 and told us to hurry over because he was fading quickly, but by the time we got there about ten minutes later, he was gone. We held his body for a while and gave him our last love, hoping that on some level he could still feel it.

Nathan, I've never loved a cat more than you. You got along with everybody. Because of your mixed Asian and Cajun heritage (you were born in Lafayette), you ate spicy food and mangoes. You also ate Devonshire cream and sevruga caviar and foie gras, because you asked me for people food so seldom and shared so politely that when you did want to try something, I could never deny you. You talked to me. You licked the tears off my face when I cried. And while you were beautiful and you knew it, you also had the biggest, kindest heart it's possible for a cat to have. The ten years we spent together were a blessing to me and Chris, and even to the other animals who knew you. Please be at peace until I see you again.

I want to post a picture, but I haven't the energy to go wading through my files to find one. Maybe later, maybe in a few days. I'm pretty tranked up right now, and planning to stay that way for a while.