Dear Handsome:

Never intended to adopt another cat that Thanksgiving of '95. While busy selling jewelry at the Kings Highway Cat Rescue Annual Thanksgiving Flea Market I ventured downstairs to the cat area to visit the crew.

The sight of you caught my breath. There you were in all your splendor atop the highest shelf in the pen. A 15 lb long-haired rugged tux with gigantic polydactyl mittens and a plume of a tail...terrified and trying to hide from the kitty on the shelf below who was tugging on your feathered tail. They named you "Handsome" because you were just that.

I learned that you were about 5 years old and that you had been brought into the rescue by a kind woman who fed strays in her yard. She told the rescuers that you were never able to fill your belly as the other cats chased you from the food. It was love at first sight and you went home with me that very day. We didn't have enough time together. It wasn't meant to be.

In late December of '96 you took ill. Our vet said that your system was shutting down and suggested euthanization. I got you outta there real quick. As soon as we reached home I telephoned my rescuer friends, Phil and Sheilah who insisted upon taking you to their vet on Long Island and drove in to get you. It was the week before Christmas. I never saw you again. It was Sheilah who held you and sang to you softly while the vet administered that lethal injection. I am sorry that I was not there to say goodbye.

I haven't forgotten you. How could I ever? Will remember many things about you. But most of all I will remember your gentle and compliant nature. Will never forget the day I made you that silly, just-for-fun red tie-dyed T-shirt. You wanted me to have fun so you walked around the house wearing it for hours and didn't complain for a moment.

In April of '97 I came upon a long-haired tux who reminded me so much of you. To say the least, Count Dracula did not turn out to be a charmer. Wish you were here to give him a few lessons. You were one hell-of-a-guy, Handsome. You were always referred to as my "cat from heaven" and now you are back where you belong. May the Moon Babies keep watch over you.

Purrs and Kisses,

Diane