In memory of Abe

It's been a difficult summer pets-wise.  And today I had to take Abe for his final visit at the vet.

His health has been declining, as I wrote last September.  After Oskar died, I knew it wouldn't be too long before Abe followed him.  I just hoped it would be a little longer.  Whatever his illness was, he was not getting much nutrition from what he ate, was hungry constantly and losing strength.  His back legs weakened significantly over the weekend.  Today when he had trouble standing up and then staggered across the floor, I knew it was time.

Abe's personality, like his place on the Busy Solitude power map, fell in the middle.  He was always friendly, but not what you would call outgoing.  A bit more on the timid side, he always ran when Ulani would try to play with him outside.  Luke, on the other hand, stands his ground and then rubs up against Ulani's legs as a show of victory.  When Bodhi was still around, Abe and Bodhi hung together, letting Luke be the front man.

Where Abe really outshone his brothers was as a hunter.  In mouse season, Abe brought a daily prize.  He spent long hours in the kitchen, staring at the stove, waiting for the unlucky critter to wander just far enough that Abe could pounce on it and have his way.

Those skills will surely be missed this autumn.  But the loss of Abe's easy-going presence is already felt throughout the house.