Paris Harriss - Sept. 23, 2006 to Dec. 5, 2011

After a six-month battle with cancer, he's gone. We spent yesterday saying goodbye, and then he was put to sleep this morning.
Best guess places the first signs in January of 2010 - first diagnosis came in early June. Complications included a brown recluse bite directly onto the cancer lump, causing an open wound for the remaining months.

He was big. About 26 inches from nose to butt, with another 13 inches of tail, and normally weighed around 16 pounds. And was the archetypal scaredy-cat; he ran away from footsteps, bumps in the night, thunder, and once I saw him run away from his own tail bumping a lamp. The veterinary staff dreaded his arrival, and all-but drew lots for who had to deal with him - an animal that big and that scared is going to cause some injuries (especially with his needle-sharp claws). But he was sweet, and loving, and loyal - he brought me peace, comfort, companionship, and much joy, no matter how much terror he brought to others.

Paris was my cat, and he was named after the Paris of myth and legend, the prince of Troy. And he died this morning at about 9:58. I knew it was coming and I am glad that it was peaceful, and I will always be grateful for everything he brought to my life. But I will miss him.