We recently lost our beloved 14 ½ year-old tuxedo cat Toby. Toby was a big guy - not fat, but large - and very handsome. Folks who came to visit would always compliment him. He had a quiet presence. He was not an in-your-face or even a lap cat, but he would quietly follow you about the house and make himself comfortable in whatever room you were in.

Toby loved everybody but Tammy was definitely his favorite. Every morning he would sit on her lap while she had her coffee. More often than not, I reheated her cup so that she wouldn't have to displace him.

Tammy was the one who brought him home, which might be why he loved her best. One day she just went out and got a cat. Now, I feel like when you're getting a pet there's usually a family discussion or something, but Tammy didn't bother with all of that. She went out and got him, and then picked up the kids at school before heading to my office, kids, and kitten, in tow.

When she got to Pyramid she came to me, "We got a cat, you'll love him! The boys are really excited!"

"What? We didn't talk about this."

"You'll love him."

For whatever reason, and it's been over 14 years so I don't remember well, I ended up in her van alone with this tiny kitten. He was so small you could pick him up in one hand. And even then he was so unassuming and relaxed. He was so chill it took me all of two minutes and I fell for Toby. Not that I would admit that to Tammy, until years later!

He got along well with other dogs, especially our beagle, Oliver. He was good friends with "Ollie" and they liked to share the same sunny spot on the carpet. We can tell that Oliver really misses Toby.

Here's to all the cool cats out there.

Have a great Fall/Winter season everybody!