Teddy, our beloved Maine Coon cat passed away in his sleep Saturday night. He was the most perfect pet I've ever had. He was my best friend. I adopted him from the Multnomah County Animal Shelter in Troutdale, OR, when I worked there some eight years ago. He was already a grown cat when I brought him home. I wasn't expecting to adopt a cat. But, our cattery was full and an upper respiratory infection was spreading throughout. There was no more room in the ICU, hospital, nor intake area for any more cats. Teddy caught the URI. He was an unneutered male and sick. The combination of those criteria meant that he would need to be euthanized. During kitten season, we would get so full of cats that the criteria were pretty strict. Well, I hadn't met such a sweet, mellow, affectionate boy like this in the feline world before. I couldn't bear the idea of this magnificent cat being put down because of a cold. So, I asked my boss for permission to adopt him. He was the only pet that I would be allowed to take home (so employees don't become hoarders trying to save every lost cause). I got the medicine from our onsite vet and worked on getting him better at home. I've never regretted the decision. What I do regret is not having Teddy by my side right now. I miss him so much my chest aches.
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