Most likely if you're a close friend of mine, you've met Elvis. Found scrounging around in a Taco Bell dumpster 10 years ago Elvis charmed his way into everybody's hearts that he met. This included people who were allergic to cats and those who weren't 'cat people'.
Always welcoming to new cats and dogs brought into the house, he'd let them know about chow time and show them where the crapper was. He was an equal opportunity cuddler, it didn't matter if you were a cat, a dog or a human with a lap. Famous for his 'sleeper hold' there were many an afternoon whiled away with Elvis napping on our laps.
A tough old cat, he survived being homeless on the mean streets of Lake City, seizures, skin cancer on his ear and a malformed palate. Three years ago Elvis was diagnosed with a brain tumor....they gave him three months to live. They weren't three perfect years but he never stopped purring and dishing out the love.
Last night Elvis stopped purring and we knew it was time. He was spoiled with a shrimp platter and a fillet of halibut and gracefully left our lives to enrichen those in his new life.
Long live the king, Elvis has left the building.