c.c. came to live with us on September 3, 2000 and left us all too soon on April 7, 2004. She was an eternal kitten, with a knack for conversation. She would announce herself with a loud meow whenever entering a room, and she would continue doing so until she evoked a response from whatever humans were present. She would greet every visitor and attempt to monopolize the conversation.

She and Opie became fast friends. They would go out together every morning to explore the woods and creek bed. She followed him everywhere, learning and emulating everything he did (including his penchant for the capture and release of various critters in the house, and using the outdoors rather than the litter box). Opie was her mentor.

They could usually be found napping together indoors, and when they weren't napping, they would chase each other around the house endlessly. At any time either one would sneak up on the other and attack. Although Opie was 8 years older, c.c.kept Opie young

c.c. developed a series of infections that were not obvious until they got into her blood stream. It took two emergency surgeries and four doctors around the clock to stabilizer her, but after five days in recovery, she succumbed to a stroke.

The time we had with her was fullfilling, but so brief that it magnified the loss. We will all be missing her for quite some time.