We got Roscoe a few weeks after we picked up Rufus. Rufus is a female cat, about a year and a few months old. She was feisty as a kitten and got restless when we couldn't give her the kind of attention she craved. Getting Roscoe, a male a month or so older than her, helped her attention problems. As kittens they became fast friends.

Now, a year later, they were still kind of companions, but cats are very independant. Rufus, as a female, was more cranky and wanted left alone. She doesn't let us hold her for long before she demands we let her down. She has sharp claws, so we listen. Roscoe, on the other hand, was more peaceful. He'd let us hold him for a while, while he purred and enjoyed being stroked.

Rufus definately seemed to posses the brains of the two, however, Roscoe had his moments of brilliance. Despite his clumsy gait, he figured out one fantastically smart thing in his short existance. Where Rufus had to meow to be let in from outside, Roscoe actually learned how to open the screen sliding door. He'd lay down next to it and start batting at it until it was open enough for him to squeeze through.

But now we're down to one cat, who despite getting annoyed with Roscoe as she grew older has seemed kind of lost these past few days without him around. I suspect this is due more to being annoyed that her routine has been messed with, my sisters romantically think she is missing him. I say she's probably forgotten about him by now.

We haven't and will continue to miss being able to hold a kitty that doesn't fight to get away. Rest in peace, buddy.