Grendel

He was 18 years-old. For the last 2 years of his life he was on medication for a hyperthyroid, he was on IV fluids and special food; he was so skinny. To me, he was my "Old Man". He was sweet and cuddley. He loved to curl up with me to watch a movie, read and sleep. I loved it, too.

Grendel on his blue blankey.

Paul would regale me with stories of his more thuglike years. "He took out Nanook's eye." When I met "G-Dog", he was the biggest brute in the house. But, he was a lady's man. My friend, Heather, described him as the "George Clooney of cats". He was. In his later years he acted more like a typical, "Get off my lawn, you damn kids!" old man. He would sit on the floor at the foot of our bed and yell at us to get up and feed him. He eventually he made these subtle, little chirping sounds with a lilt on the end. Aaron nicnamed him "Grenpa". I always imagined him as a Peter Falk type, grumbling and wearing a rumpled suit, one with elbow patches. For a cat who had never lived with a dog, he and Daisy became the house's odd couple. Quite the May-December romance. She watched over him, cleaned him, napped with him.

Grendel and Daisy in their typical nap stance.

He went peacefully in the best way for him. He never gave us "the sign" that he was ready to go. He simply asked to be let out yesterday afternoon for his daily nap in the sun. He curled up in the warmth and went to sleep. Grendel, you will be missed. You had a good life. I am lucky to have been a part of it.

From Grendel to his droves of adoring female fans...

To all the girls I've loved before

Who traveled in and out my door

I'm glad they came along

I dedicate this song

To all the girls I've loved before

Thank you to my friends who have said wonderful things about Grendel. The house wasn't the same without him.