This is Nicky....On Friday, 11/17, at 2 P. M., my wife and I allowed the Doctor and staff, who valiantly tried to care for and cure him, to end his suffering and send him over the Rainbow Bridge. Nicky was not able to overcome a severe bladder infection and pneumonia. He was @ 5 years old or so and he was my hero ( he answered to his name or his title). He was my sleep on my chest kitty, he head-butted me every day, purred and drooled when he was happy and had several questions and was a very opinionated member of the household. He also was nicknamed "Steve McQueen" for all of his 10-15 foot great escape attempts. I aquirred Nicky from the Otero's, he bit me the first time I touched him, it WAS love at first bite!! After I took him home, and a few hisses later, he and my other cat, Crybaby, got along famously. I was blessed to meet and marry Michelle, who was quite the cat collector herself. When we added a few kittys to our family, Nick had that look..."Why!?...Why do we need all the cats??!" Nicky got me, with all my fragility ( real and/or imagined) to this point...I really miss him. I had another pet who crossed over the Bridge, my Lapso-Terrier, Patches T. Puppy....I'll bet right after Nicky bit her they shared some stories.......God bless you Nicky....Life goes on!!

From Nicky: You've given me a special gift,So sorrowfully endowed,And through these last few cherished daysYour courage makes me proud But really, love is knowing When your best friend is in pain, And understanding earthly acts Will only be in vain. So looking deep into your eyes, Beyond, into your soul, I see in you the magic, that will Once more make me whole Your strength is why I've followed you,And chose you as my friend, And why I've loved you all these years...My partner 'til the end.Please, understand just what this gift, You've given, means to me, It gives me back the strength I've lost, And all my dignity. You take a stand on my behalf, For that is what friends do. And know that what you do is right, For I believe it too. Freeing me, not holding me here, Dear friend, you let me run, Once more a strong and steady cat, My pain and struggle done. And don't despair my passing, For I won't be far away, Forever here, within your heart, And memory I'll stay. I'll be there watching over you, Your ever faithful friend,"And in your memories I'll run,...a strong cat once again.