This is Pumpkin:
He came to us from a high-kill shelter in 1996. Despite a heart condition (for which he received care from an excellent cardiologist at Tufts Veterinary School), diabetes, kidney problems, and, eventually, cancer (for which he received chemotherapy from an excellent veterinary oncologist and hematologist), he lived with us 15 years, a part of the family of special-needs dogs and cats who live in our home.
As soon as we adopted him, Leon, a cat with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, became his closest friend and mentor:
Leon's sister Lucy, who had heart and kidney problems, also became Pumpkin's close friend and care-taker:
Pumpkin loved spending time with the other dogs and cats in the house, but also found time to spend with Moby:
He loved going everywhere in the house, from the excitement of being up high:
to the security of being on the floor.
And he loved his naps:
He grew frail with age, cancer, and his other conditions, and we knew the end was near. Yesterday morning he spent some time in his favorite window, then hopped down, found a good spot on the floor, stretched, curled up, and went to sleep. Five minutes later he had died peacefully in his sleep.
He was a sweet, gentle, loving cat who brought so much joy to our home. He will always be a wonderful part of our family.
Here's a link to the family of special needs dogs & cats who live in our home