In the summer of 2000, we decided we were ready to get more cats. We were looking to get 2 but I wanted them all. The Orleans Parish Humane Society was heart-breaking. After an hour of indecision, I went outside to regroup. I came around to one cage and asked the lady to unlock it. Within was a lanky black and white cat who leaned away when I tried to pick him up. There was some vomit in his cage. So we closed that cage back up but he fixed us with an unwavering and intense stare that made me determined to adopt him. His name had been Scoobie as given by a previous owner and he was approximately 2 yrs old. We brought him home that day and he was completely delightful.  A few days later I was sitting on the couch eating a sandwich when he jumped up and before I knew it our eyes met across the sandwich as we both took a bite at the same time. Poor Scoob was in bad shape at first - skinny with wiry hair, fleas, and nails all broken, inflamed, and caked with feces. But we took him to the vet (she even winced at the condition of his paws) and eventually he plumped up and his fur became silky and soft. It became apparent that he had been abused, as he'd totally freak out whenever he saw a broom or whenever we were carrying something large. But he was such a character. He loved to just lie on his back in the middle of the floor and stare up at the ceiling. He also loved cups, and until we learned to guard our fluids, his back feet were dyed red from Koolaid and juice spills. He just couldn't resist. He was SOOOO affectionate. He hugged me on the car ride home. He'd also lovingly pat your cheek with his paw while you pet him. He was very communicative as well. Once when the lining of the litter box had been pulled over the litter he went into Sam, who was sleeping (I was exercising) and meowed at him. When Sam didn't respond Scoob actually bit at him and led him to the problem box. Scoob was also very excitable, running full force at the window whenever he spotted a bird or squirrel. Once the window was open and he busted right through the screen, which popped back into place, and landed in the bushes below (we were on the second story). I freaked out and ran downstairs yelling for him. After a couple of minutes he slinked out of the bush and came upstairs with me, apparently unharmed. I so loved him - he was totally my baby. He did so many funny things.

One day in May of 2002 he became ill quite suddenly. I rushed him to the vet and it was found that he had a heartworm, a very rare condition for a cat. And that was it. The vet had only seen one other case of a cat with heartworm. It was comforting for me to be there with him when he passed and to know that I'd pet him till satisfied the night before, even though I wanted to stop and go to sleep. I also woke up early that morning and pet him at his insistence. He was so precious.