I feel for you regarding Teddy. I lost my twelve year old Minnow to bone cancer three years ago. She was a fantastic cat. And her death was very sudden. By the time she showed symptoms of being ill, it was only three weeks before she died, despite our best efforts.
And Merry Christmas to you ans LB, too.
We don't have any kids, just cats and horses, but my husband named him Little Bear because he just has a short little stump of a tail. He's 5 years old and came from a dear friend of mine who was suddenly taken ill and needed homes for all of his cats. I had two already and live in a small appartment, so Bear was all I had room for, but he sure is a sweetie. He sleeps on my chest most nights and doesn't seem to mind if I roll over. He just climbs back on. Nothing like Kitty Kisses in the middle of the night! ;o)