Specter aka "Scrappy Cat"

Specter (Scrappy Cat)

Yesterday, one of our cats, Specter, nicknamed Scrappy Cat, passed away from diabetes.

He started life as a stray who for a couple years hung out with our other two cats, but wouldn't allow my wife and daughters to pet or even approach him. Finally he'd become so ill with multiple issues, they were able to capture and put him in a pet cage to take to the vet.

After some rehab, where he spent several weeks in a dog crate in the basement recovering from injuries to his paws and getting his discovered diabetes under control, he was released back outside, but he'd been transformed.

Needing shots and frequent ear pricks for blood sugar testing, he still came running in the house, for a snack and to be held and petted. He even liked hanging out with our two dogs, in the house and outside in the yard. Our other two cats (Romeo and Swirliams) thought it was a bit daft. Nevertheless, he'd wait for the back or side door to open and come raciing in...whether invited or not. My wife said he was one of the most personable cats she'd ever seen. He'd sit and lean against you on your lap an purr up a storm for hours on end when allowed. Specter would stand patiently to get his shot twice a day, and await his treat. And, while very unhappy when getting his ear pricked for blood, (never an easy task) he would be held, sometimes wrapped in a towel, cuddled up, and not scratch or bite

Specter got his nick name, Scrappy Cat, because unlike his two 'brothers' he would do his best to chase off neighborhood cats, even though he was undersized and often feeling quite rotten, as his blood sugar was difficult to control. There are cats in the neighborhood easily twice his size. That didn't matter to Scrappy Cat. He'd get scratch and slapped around, but he'd give as good as he got--usually.

Anyway, his diabetes had gone untreated for far too long (before anyone could get close, let alone pet as mentioned above), and despite visits to the vet and a few stays, and attempts with multiple types of insulin and varying doses, he eventually lost the fight.

He earned a flashlight funeral, with mosquitoes in strong force. I'm not much of a cat person, but to me, he was more than anyone with a cat for a pet could expect.