Blackjack came to live with us when he was 5 years old. I originally got him because one of my favorite cats as a child was a black cat named Midnight. Well he promptly turned his back on me and adopted Bob as his best friend.
He turned out to be quite a character and was the first one to join a fight and end it. If he heard one of the other cats hissing or growling he came from out of no where to join in a fight. He never hesitated to fling his whole body whole-heartedly into combat.
He made a feline roadblock to prevent our pet dogs from passing his path. If I called one of the dogs to cross his path he stood his ground. One swipe of his meticulously sharpened claws soon gained his respect from even the fiestiest of out canine boarders.
Last year in June of 2002 he began losing his chunky muscular appearance, and from experience we knew he most likely had developed feline diabetes. It was hard to admit, and we were reluctant to hear the official prognosis, but our suspicions proved correct and he was put on insulin. At first he did quite well, even though he never regained his more than robust frame. With 14 years behind him, he had his age working against him and after a year had passed, he was far from his former self. Poor Jack had lost his vigor and was quickly heading for his final days. In early June of 2003, we had to say goodbye to Jack and wish him a happy afterlife with the rest of our former pets.
Corkie and I went together to the veterinarian that morning and said our farewell. I told Corkie to say goodbye to Jack and she licked his face and ears. Jack for once did not protest and purred as we left the Vets office alone.
Goodbye little man. May 1988 /June 9 2003