After 18 years, today we had to put our beloved kitty Jasper to sleep. Jasper was a rescue cat, rescued from the streets of Albany by the co-worker of a friend. I still remember the day she called me, saying, "Do you want a kitty? He's very sweet and has been sleeping in my "in" basket all day." I called DH. "Sure," he said, "let's call him Jasper." "I don't like that name," I replied, "think of something else." Later that day my friend Barb brought him over, with about a million supplies (she's a cat lover and already had 3 cats). "I don't know what you want to call him," she said, "but we've been calling him Jasper all day." Well, neither one knew about the other one calling him Jasper, so it must have been meant to be, and so Jasper it was.
Jasper (aka Jazz) was an extremely friendly cat, always putting himself in the middle of everything (especially when mischief was involved). When you would go into a room and close the door, he would slip his paw under the door and start swatting at the air, like he was sure he could somehow open that door. And if you were sitting in a chair, he would jump up, stand on his back paws and place one of his front paws on your face and pat your cheek. What a sweetheart.
All he ever knew were dogs. Our first cocker spaniel, Jodie, was 9 months younger than him. They grew up together and were best friends. He was with her when she passed away in Oct. 2011 and went over to lick her forehead when she took her last breath. When Cosmo Edward came into his life almost two years ago, he was very patient and understanding with him.

Here are some photos: #1 in a box, #2 baking cookies with mommy, #3 a digital scrapbook page I made a few years back.

Rest in peace, sweet baby. 'Till we meet again.