Moses

Last Friday, an era ended in the Adams household. Moses the Persian, who would have been 19 years old in May, left the building. We had hoped he would simply die quietly in the middle of the night, but in his true stubborn self, he lived on. His quality of life was minimal-he had a favorite towel he slept on in the basement, only rising to get some food. If he could find it. His eyesight was almost gone, probably due to cataracts. He walked like a drunken sailor-arthritis. He only used his littler box to pee, unless he left the basement to visit Andrew and pee on his clothes on the floor.

I would say there was a great deal of sadness, simply because he has been part of the family for so long. He was a beautiful animal, but pretty packages may not mean pretty things. He was a mean son of a bitch. Visitors were entranced by his beauty and would pet him, only to have him turn on you without notice. We all remember the fear of walking down the hall to the bathroom, Moses sitting quietly, waiting, until you walked past and we took a swipe at your legs. We had to declaw him. Which took care of that issue, not the biting issue.

Interestingly, the only person he never attacked was Alan. Perhaps because Alan never has to torture him by taking him to the vet. Which was always an ordeal, for us and the vet. He was red tagged at the office..a warning to the staff that they were dealing with a mean animal.

Nonetheless, there were moments of love from Moses-as long as he could lay right on top of you.And in his early years, he was playful and spry. Rest in Peace Moses...go kick some ass in kitty heaven.