Barney, 1996-2008

"There are no ordinary cats."
- Colette

I received word the other day of the death of Barney, my friend Cynthia's cat. He had been in great pain for about ten days and was finally diagnosed by the wonderful doctors at the North Carolina State University Vet School with a tumor that was crushing his spinal cord; there was also the strong possibility of liver cancer. It was a very aggressive tumor and his quality of life outlook was not good, so Cynthia and her husband Steve made the difficult decision to have Barney euthanized. Having made a similar decision regarding our cat Daphne last May, we certainly understand their distress. They were able to hold him on their laps one last time and he purred for them.

Barney was marvelous, a real Mr. Personality. He was a neighborhood cat who first belonged to another family that neglected him. He knew a good thing when he saw it - he realized that Cynthia and Steve were compassionate people and chose them to be his new family. After having Barney hang around their house for quite some time, they received permission from the other family to adopt Barney. It worked out to everyone's satisfaction...well, except for Mocha, their other cat. She was not too pleased to have another object of her humans' affection in the family! But Mocha was an indoor cat and Barney was an outdoor cat, so in the end it worked out.

When we went over to their house for their great patio parties, Barney was a congenial host. He escorted guests through their beautiful backyard garden and loved to hang out on the patio where the action was. One time when we were all inside in the kitchen, he looked through the window and meowed pitifully as if to say "I want to be a part of the fun, too!"

Cynthia and Steve will miss Barney terribly. I am certain that Barney died knowing that he was loved, and that is a wonderful gift for anyone.