JoJo - Dec 2000 to Aug 2018

JoJo hasn't come home. He went out early (4:00 AM) as is his habit, but did not return within 20 or so minutes as he usually does. It's now 4:00 PM so I am pretty certain something happened and he won't/can't come home. I've walked around and called for him, nothing. He is usually such a good fellow, when I call he is at the door walking in within 5 or 10 minutes. So, his not responding pretty much has me thinking he can't.

He had a major health issue in the Spring and hasn't been all that well since. These last few days he's been a coming to breakfast late or not at all, eating one or two bites at most. The litter box had showed he was still pooping and peeing, OMG, was he peeing. But aside from that all he's been doing is sleeping, not even wanting to snuggle with me or be petted or brushed.

So, I think his time was coming to an end and now it has ended.

Both of my remaining cats had health issues this Spring, I thought it would be better if JoJo passed first, he was far more dependent and interactive with SouSou than she with him. She pretty much has always wanted to be and acts like she was an only cat, the others (and me) are here simply to take care of her. So, at least JoJo won't be grieving and lonely.

I will really miss him. Not the huge amounts of black and brown hair he's been dropping in huge clumps this past week. Not the, "I really am trying, but just can't seem to get my whole butt into the litter box, at least I got half in" messes. Not the running through and rolling in the wet mulch outside and leaving a trail of it all through the house. Well, I might even miss those things a bit.

What I will miss, is him sitting on the table next to my TV chair so patiently, waiting and staring me down so I would put him on my lap and brush or pet him, endlessly. I will miss him walking back and forth on the desk every morning, sharing my cereal and milk even though not invited. I will miss him sitting on my hand when I am using the mouse to stop that motion and get me to scratch his chin and ears. I will miss his daily work routine, every morning carrying a feather teaser downstairs and bringing it up to bed each evening. And when each task was accomplished announcing it very loudly. I will miss his racing to beat me upstairs at bed time, beating me onto the bed, claiming his space and then looking at me like, well what is taking you so long?

Eighteen years, that is how long he has been with me. I think he was probably only about 5 weeks old when I got him. And living with me in this house has been his whole life. He loved to go out and patrol his estate. And he was so good, whenever I called him, within minutes he would be at the door coming in. So, if he is not back home, it is because he cannot be.

I hope wherever it is that cats go he is now with his long missed, best buddy, Muffin and and his other friend, Muffin's sister, KoKo. I like to think they are all together cleaning and sleeping and purring and being content and that they remember their time here as having been pretty good.

Well, JoJo, you didn't let me get to know you until Muffin passed and when KoKo was gone you really showed and shared all the sweetness and love you had. It was a long time waiting for, but I treasured every day and will cherish every memory, thank you my big, handsome, boy.