Miss Minty Fresh

This is Jack, a Maine Coon I adopted from Rockingham County Animal Shelter in Virginia.  He’s been in the family since 2004 and is a delight, a joy, and a furry-toed sweetheart.

We recently learned that Jack has feline leukemia.

It’s not clear yet how much time is left…my parents are taking it day-by-day.  

There’s not much to say at the moment except that it’s heartbreakingly horrible news.

This is the risk we humans take when we invite animals into our spaces and homes…caring for them, feeding them, sleeping with them, traveling with them.  Our pets are our family, and we all know that invariably, our pets will expire before us.  Such heartbreak is a tiny cost for their companionship and…dare I say….friendship (if we are lucky enough to earn it from them).

I only would wish that Jack can somehow understand how much he means to us….and most of the time…I think he does.

p.s.  I would be remiss in this post without a public service announcement to plead that you please be a responsible pet owner and “fix” your furry friends.  Spay and neuter services at your local veterinary clinic are inexpensive and safe, and more importantly, necessary to prevent the continued swelling of the homeless dog and cat population in the United States.  Please, do the right thing.