Born(1991), Died (2006), Age 15 Years Old

I don't remember the month he was born except it was some time in 1991. He was born to my favourite cat, a three colour (white,orange and black) female named Tompok (Spot). He was completely black in colour with a pair of emerald green eyes. The last time I had a black coloured cat was when I was seven years old.

When he was a kitten, he was playful as as cats are at that age . The games I played with him was to get him chasing after string which I dangled just beyond his reach. The other game he played was to chase after a ping pong ball.

When he was older, he was the neighbourhood Boss cat. The other male cats were terrified of him. He was fierce to other male cats especially to those who trespassed around his "Area". He often got into fights and although he was not that big, he managed to intimidate every male cat in the area. He was the undisputed Boss and the Top Cat.

When it came to female cats, unlike his owner (me) he was something of a playboy. He would often dissapear for days or weeks to pursue his "love interests". I guessed he must have sired many of the cats around the area by now. When he was around the house, he would wait outside the door in the morning when I got out to go to work. I stroked him, petted him and fed him breakast - Friskies cat food.

About 3 to 4 years ago, he became much less active. Sometimes he was coughing and wheezing when it gets a bit cold especially in the morning or at night. He did not roam so much and stayed close to the house. I saw him more often as he was always waited outside the door early in the morning. Sometimes I had to look closely as he was black in colour and diffcult to see in dark. But I knew where to look as he usually sits on the slippers or flip flops.

About 2 weeks ago he was really sick for a few days. He fur became red in colour except the area on his head and he had trouble breathing. I was planning to bring him to the vet but somehow he recovered. I was glad he recovered and survived.

Last Saturday he didn't eat the dinner I had placed for him and later he dissapeared. On Sunday, my father saw him hiding in some bushes near a lamp post about 10m near the house. My parents could not find him over the next 4 days. I thought he had been roaming again around the neighbourhood.

Yesterday night I found out he had died. My father noticed a black tail sticking out out of the bushes. It was him and he was dead. His fur had turned red except for ones on his head which was still black. My father buried him near the house.

I do miss him but I think he had lived an unusually long life for a cat. At 15 years old he was equivalent in human age to someone 77 years old. An old cat whom I hope over the past 15 years had enjoyed his life to the fullest and knew he was much loved.

On a side note, I ran 2.6 km yesterday at KLCC park without any pain or soreness in my right knee. There is still hope for me to continue running but I have to be patient.