Sorry about any spelling or typo errors, one of my German Shepherds keeps pawing me.
I know this is a dog thread, but last night when I went to go to bed, I found my cat Sugar dead on her favorite chair in my bedroom. She died in her sleep.
Sugar had been a bedraggled, pregnant stray dumped at the local shelter. She was pure white with green eyes, and a wonderful loving character. I adopted her out of the shelter as a companion for my invalided mother, dying of lung cancer. Mom passed away in 2006 and Sugar decided to cozy up with my Dad, who was afflicted with Alzheimers. When Dad went into assisted living mode, Sugar moved into my bedroom, I suppose deciding it would be the best place to sleep during the day, right under the covers.
She probably never experienced good nutrition when young, and had an array of allergies and health problems that we eventually controlled. She was loving towards people and other animals, especially towards my English Springer Spaniel. She fostered a couple of kittens I had taken in as rescues and maintained a close affectionate relationship with them when they became adult cats.
Sugar will be missed, and not just by myself. She loved people and loved attention. There was not a mean streak in her.
For everyone who has a good canine and feline friend, I know your pain. It will be a long time before the emptiness leaves me. Good thing I have six more cats and two dogs.