Caramel Shakyhat Nicholson
Born June 30, 2001
Died November 4, 2008
Caramel came into our lives in August of 2001. He was born in a window well at my brother's house, his mother was a neighbor's cat. The owners wanted nothing to do with the kittens, so my brother and his wife found homes for them.
I love cats, but am also somewhat allergic. We decided to take our chances, but Scott's one requirement was that it be an indoor cat, because he saw too many injuries and fights happen with outdoor cats when he was a kid.
Spencer wanted to name him Chocolate. We decided he looked more like caramel. I think Spencer also came up with Shakyhat because he was shaking his head.
He put up with a lot of abuse from the kids, and was always very patient with them. He didn't like when we moved--hid under the bed for days. He also didn't like it when Simon was born--not at all sure what that new thing was in our room where he liked to sleep.
He would jump on the bathroom counter and beg for a drink from the tap. He would scratch the floor after using the litter box like as if he was trying to cover what he had just done, but he never actually covered it with litter. His favorite place to sleep was Sarah's squishy belly, but he could usually be found on (or in) one of the kids beds, lying on the back of the couch, or sitting in a window sill dozing and longing to be outside. As soon as anyone opened a door, he was right there looking out and trying to get outside. He would always nibble on the house plants and then throw up. His throw-up is definitely one thing we are not going to miss.
One of the kids bought themselves a little orange teddy-bear at some point, but soon after it was brought home, Caramel adopted it as his own. Many nights, after we had all gone to bed, we heard Caramel (who was usually very quiet) meowing almost mournfully. The first few times it happened, we would go check on him, and found him carrying around the orange teddy bear in his mouth. He would snuggle and fight with the bear, too. It is pretty beat up.
He loved lying under the Christmas tree, sometimes playing with bells that we put on the bottom branches just for him. He was always right in the middle of things Christmas morning, playing with all the wrapping paper he could get his paws on. I think I'm going to miss him a lot when we get the tree up.
We don't know what made him sick, but he stopped eating and lost a lot of weight. We got him eating again, but over the last 6-7 months, he still lost 2 pounds. After tests that didn't reveal much and experimental medication (antibiotic and steroid), he got worse instead of better. We decided it best to put him out of his misery.
Sierra saying goodbye.
The boys entertaining themselves while waiting at the vet.
One more kiss goodbye from Simon.
After we left the vet, Spencer sobbed all the way to The Old Spaghetti Factory, where we mourned our loss over some good food.
We miss you, Caramel.
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