Just tonight, the day after my birthday, our beautiful ginger passed away in the vet's office. The extraction wound from his dental surgery had gotten infected, and by the time that became obvious it was too late for any treatment to save him.

I wish I'd fought harder about my concerns - I thought his mouth didn't look alright, but I was assured it was perfectly normal and part of the healing process. I should have known.

Simon was a very special friend, and I'll miss him immensely. The utter shock has left me dizzy. I've never had any of my feline friends pass away without me being there, and I left the house this morning feeling sure he would be perfectly fine, that he just needed a little more time to recover. This surgery was supposed to give him a long, happy life without pain, and now it has ended his life prematurely.

My beloved friend, how I'll miss your enthusiastic greeting whenever I come home from college, and your rumbling purr when I as much as looked at you.

Your death was far too sudden, and way too soon.


Simon. * November 2000 - † 21 July 2014