Shadow was different from most cats I had known. He wasn't aloof like I had always heard they were. He was VERY affectionate and wanted to be wherever I was. In his younger days he was quite the outdoors-cat. He loved roaming the neighborhood and I often received complaints from the little girl next door that he was beating up her cat.

In 1988 we moved to Florida and Shadow had to become an inside-only cat. He adjusted pretty well, although he did put on some weight. In 1990 we moved back to St Louis. At first we lived in a one room apartment, which didn't allow pets. (They never knew he was there.) We moved twice more before settling into the home we have been in for the last eight years. Shadow had permanantly become an inside cat.

Over the years there had been other cats (and dogs, and birds and fish) but Shadow had always retained the title of "Top-Cat". He was in charge and everyone knew it. In his later years he almost became permanantly attached to me. If I was sitting, he was on my lap. If I was laying down he was right beside me. His favorite spot was laying on the desk while I was working on the computer.

As he got older he slowed down some. He slept alot, (Even for a cat) and he snored. As he developed arthritis in his spine, he was less able to jump. I built little steps so that he was able to get up on the bed and the couch. I had to lift him up to the desk. I didn't mind. I didn't really even notice it. It was just part of our routine. He turned 16 this past fall.

Recently I noticed that Shadow didn't seem to be himself. He was losing weight and seemed listless. A trip to the vet revealed a diagnosis of failing kidneys. Some treatments were prescribed but he kept deteriorating. Finally, a decision had to be made. On Thursday January 28th, 1999 we said our final goodbye to Shadow.

Those of you with your own cats may argue with me, but I know without a doubt, that Shadow was the best cat there ever was or will be.