BJ, we love you. We're going to miss you...

[Hurricane]

I never thought I'd be posting here so soon.

He was born April 17, 2000. He left October 29, 2000. Jeff saw it happen, but we never dreamed it was one of ours. An orange tabby cat was hit by one car, spun, and was hit by another car. He came to rest and didn't move again. We were on our way with the dogs to the Athletic Center to swim in the creek. We were 2 miles from home. We looked on the way home, as we drove by, he looked too dark and too big to be BJ. We only have one other orange tabby, and I saw him as we walked out the door. I didn't do a kitty check, but I was almost positive they were all inside. They've always been within earshot when I called them in.

Brat Junior. He looked so much like his namesake, Brat. And just as friendly. He bonded with Hurricane. They slept together. They wrestled together. He NEVER tried to run away from a wrestling match. He would spend half the night purring loudly, and loving on Tornado. Just last night, he woke me up to sleep in Hurricane's crate with him. Early this morning, he woke me up again to let him out. He spent the morning in the sock drawer baby sitting the week-old kittens that were his half-siblings. When we got home from swimming, the boys played next door with the neighbors dogs for a couple hours. Then we decided to go in and fix dinner. The cats came running, and I only counted 7. Where was BJ? I called outside, and still couldn't find him. We went to check the road. I couldn't tell, it still looked too dark and too big. I rolled him over and saw the distinctive white spot on his chin and his special tail... so long, and just beginning to get fluffy. We drove him home, and buried him in front of the irises, right by the wild flowers we transplanted from the back yard. Right where he chased so many toads. Tomorrow, Jeff will be making him a special headstone. Tornado watched us bury him. Hurricane hasn't moved from his spot next to the couch. He didn't even run to the door to greet us! They know! Hurricane knows HIS kitty is gone. Now he will have to sleep alone. You will always be in our thoughts, BJ.