Oct 08 2012

A cat nap? Please .. Keep that cat active!

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Next week it will be three months since Alex, our cat, left for the rainbow bridge. My husband, Marc, and I are still in pain. Our hurt is still raw, but slowly we are able to focus on the good times with Alex and smile, rather than just feel sad and cry. I guess that is what people mean when they say time helps heal….

It is funny, what I miss most about Alex is what used to drive me the craziest about Alex. Our morning routines…

Come on mom! My food is this way.. come on.. I will show you! hurry!

There was nothing in the world Alex liked better than eating. That boy had an appetite! I swear he must have spent morning, noon and night dreaming about food. By 3:00 AM, like clockwork, he would run up to our bedroom and then jump into our bed. Sitting on my chest, gently (or sometimes not so gently), scratching my face, desperately trying to wake me up for breakfast. I tried reasoning with him that it was too early, but he didn’t quite care…

finally the bed is all mine! My dad snores you know...

Usually, by 5:00 AM, to his delight, I would tire of fighting. Resigned that sleep was no longer an option, bleary eyed, I would head out of bed and get him some food…

As Alex got older, he got a little pickier with his food, especially when prescription formulas were brought into the mix three years ago. I can’t blame him. When you are a cat and you live to be close to 17 you can’t be expected to eat the same thing day in and day out. Can you? You want the best cat food with the best taste!

thank goodness my fish allergy was short lived.... what do vets know anyway?

For a while, our vet thought Alex was allergic to fish. Marc and I had to view recipes of the food we served Alex, checking out ingredients, making sure what we picked for our boy was the best cat food possible. Fortunately for the most part, Alex liked it all!

Yes, I have four plates in front of me. Variety is the spice of life!

When Alex stopped eating and started losing weight, towards the end of his life, it was the hardest thing for Marc and me to see. We didn’t want to admit to ourselves, or Alex, that he was old and sick. We simply just tried to find different food that would peak his interest, and once again stimulate his killer appetite.

Marc and I look back on Alex’s life with us a lot. One of the things that we think helped him live to such a ripe old age was good nutrition but also exercise. We live in a town house and pretty much every room is separated by a small to medium flight of stairs. From basement to our bedroom are four flights of stairs. Every day, Alex would climb all these stairs at least twenty times a day. That is a lot of exercise for a human, yet alone a cat!

hey down there!

We are positive, that his “workouts” kept him fit and strong. After all, good nutrition and staying active is essential for our health.

I got to stay buff!

Therefor keeping cats active is key for our feline’s health too!

Tags: alex, alex the cat, best cat food, cat pictures, cats, humor, husbands and wives, Keeping cats active, life

64 comments

Fuzzy Tales

October 8, 2012 at 6:26 am (UTC -4)

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Three months already? It seems like just a few weeks ago, really. Sending lots of hugs and purrs. Our human wouldn’t say time “heals,” but it erases the jagged edges of grief, smooths them out. Though even years later something innocuous can trigger the sharp pain of grief, if even only momentarily.
1. hilaryg
  
  October 8, 2012 at 7:02 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Fuzzy Tales – It feels like weeks to me too (most days, and others it seems longer.) But on 10/16 it will be three months. It is so strange… time… I’d say your human is very smart – and I like the way she things. Jagged edges – that basically describes what I am feeling…
Emily

October 8, 2012 at 6:53 am (UTC -4)

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Alex was such a lucky, well-loved cat. You gave him a wonderful life!
1. hilaryg
  
  October 8, 2012 at 7:03 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Emily – thanks so much. we were crazy about our boy and we tried to give him as great a life as possible. He sure gave us a lot of love in return!
The Florida Furkids

October 8, 2012 at 7:53 am (UTC -4)

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We think Tamir lived for food too! When he wouldn’t eat treats Mom knew it was the end. It’s nice that you can think about Alex and smile now. Alex was a lucky boy to have a family that loved him so much.

The Florida Furkids
1. hilaryg
  
  October 9, 2012 at 6:36 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Florida Furkids – it does help to be able to smile – although I would lie if I said I still don’t continue to cry…It is amazing how we “know” when the time is ending even if we don’t want to admit that we see…. Sending you all hugs….
Marg

October 8, 2012 at 8:41 am (UTC -4)

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Yay, there are some pictures of Alex. What fun. I know it is sad for you but that is progress And he did have the best home ever and was such a lucky boy. It is so hard when they get older. I have an older dog right now that is in kidney failure and it is the worst seeing her being old. Have a great week.
1. hilaryg
  
  October 9, 2012 at 6:37 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Marg – I am sorry about your dog… it is so hard when they get old – but let’s face it… it is hard when anyone we love gets old… I was having the best time gathering these pictures. I kept calling marc over to my lap top and telling him – “look, here is another classic”
Brian

October 8, 2012 at 8:47 am (UTC -4)

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Such wonderful memories you will always have of dear Alex. We all miss your boy and Gracie will truly love him forever.
1. hilaryg
  
  October 9, 2012 at 6:37 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Brian – thank you… I know… A part of Alex’s heart is with us here and with your sweet sister in NC. he was one lucky and loved little man…
Wyatt Airedale

October 8, 2012 at 9:16 am (UTC -4)

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What a wonderful kitty he was and Good advice for us all.

Wyatt
1. hilaryg
  
  October 9, 2012 at 6:38 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Wyatt – he sure was… and you are right – the advice is good for all of us, regardless of how many legs we have!
Connie

October 8, 2012 at 9:43 am (UTC -4)

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I can’t believe it has been three months already..
1. hilaryg
  
  October 9, 2012 at 6:40 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Connie – neither can I – time is one strange thing…
Brenda Youngerman

October 8, 2012 at 10:35 am (UTC -4)

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great pictures and memories! He may be gone… but long from forgotten!
1. hilaryg
  
  October 9, 2012 at 6:40 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Brenda – thanks… You are so right… he might not physically be here with us, but his spirit and memory always will be…
Old Kitty

October 8, 2012 at 10:53 am (UTC -4)

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It’s brilliant that Alex had such love and care and plenty of fun and exercise! Bless! Take care
x
1. hilaryg
  
  October 9, 2012 at 6:41 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Old Kitty – he really did get workouts around this house – which is why over the years we kept adding litter boxes for him. We didn’t think it was fair to make him have to climb up and down so many stairs everytime he had to go…
Katnip Lounge

October 8, 2012 at 11:27 am (UTC -4)

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{hugs} to you…I know Alex’s spirit still runs around the house, you just can’t see him.
1. hilaryg
  
  October 9, 2012 at 6:42 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Katnip Lounge – You are so right. I can’t see him, but I feel his presence everywhere I look. Sometimes I expect to see him though… hugs back…
McGuffy Ann

October 8, 2012 at 11:34 am (UTC -4)

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A healthy life definitely involves nutrition, exercise and love. Alex will live forever in the hearts of many, especially you two. Thanks for sharing him, your experiences, and your wisdom. Hugs.
1. hilaryg
  
  October 9, 2012 at 6:43 am (UTC -4)
  
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  McGuffy Ann – You are right.. he will live on in so many people’s hearts. I am so thankful i had the opportunity to share him online with everyone… Hugs back
Random Felines

October 8, 2012 at 12:49 pm (UTC -4)

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Gone but never forgotten…..

I love watching mine do laps up and down the stairs…..though watching Ivy do it cracks me up
1. hilaryg
  
  October 9, 2012 at 6:44 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Random – the laps are the best, aren’t they? I would laugh at Alex too. It is funny, a week or so before the end, even though his energy level was low, there was a bug outside. He regained his youth and ran around the house trying to get it. It was wonderful to see that glimmer of his active side….
Janet

October 8, 2012 at 12:58 pm (UTC -4)

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Hang in there. I just planted some tulip bulbs yesterday where I’d buried my Tigger almost a year ago. You’ll never forget, but you’ll reach a point where you look back with fondness and not so much sadness.

Thanks for your kind comment on my blog as well. Life is certainly full of ups and downs!
1. hilaryg
  
  October 9, 2012 at 6:45 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Janet – you hang in there too… Everything always gets easier with time – you never forget but it gets a little less raw… When the tulips bloom, what a great tribute to Tigger….
caren gittleman

October 8, 2012 at 2:00 pm (UTC -4)

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Awww it was so bittersweet seeing precious Alex. Made me miss him even more.
I know what you mean about the food situation. Bobo lived for food and near the end, also stopped eating. It tore me apart.
He lived til the day after his 18th birthday and was also quite active when he was younger.
Cody on the other hand is one of the most inactive cats that I know…he’s screwed!
1. hilaryg
  
  October 9, 2012 at 6:47 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Caren – you need to get Cody a membership to the gym or something… I really think that, like us, cats do better if they are active. Alex & Bobo are proof….
My Inner Chick

October 8, 2012 at 2:39 pm (UTC -4)

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—-I miss Alex, too.

I so much LOVE the photos of your little ANGEL Cat <3 Xxx

i adore the dark marking under his eye!
1. hilaryg
  
  October 9, 2012 at 6:48 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Inner Chick – so, I guess I am not prejudiced – he really was a handsome little man… I can look at pictures of him all day… sometimes they make me cry, and other days, like when I posted these, they make my heart smile…. he was very loved, and is very missed… It also makes my heart smile that you miss him too
Dianna

October 8, 2012 at 3:13 pm (UTC -4)

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Aw, I’m so sorry about your sweet Alex. My sweet Beezy was in my life for 14 of her 16 years. She was my “kitty soul-mate”. Time does make it easier, but you never forget them. Loved seeing all the sweet pics of your Alex.
1. hilaryg
  
  October 9, 2012 at 6:50 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Dianna – thank you so much… I am sorry about Beezy too… Alex was about 16-17 years old. Marc got him when he was one and I knew him 11 years. I never liked cats before meeting Alex, and never thought I would love a cat so dearly. But like Beezy, he was my “soul kitty” and he will always have a huge part of my heart…
Betty Manousos

October 8, 2012 at 3:40 pm (UTC -4)

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i am so sorry about your adorable alex. my heart breaks…i love all of these photos of alex.

and yes, gone but never forgotten.
thank you also for stopping by and for your lovely comment
blessings
and big hugs!!
1. hilaryg
  
  October 9, 2012 at 6:51 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Betty – “gone but not forgotten” so true… Everyone that we have loved and lost lives on in our hearts. I am so thankful that I have so many pictures and posts about alex, it helps to remember all the good times… hugs back!
Abby

October 8, 2012 at 6:15 pm (UTC -4)

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I cant believe it’s been 3 months.
We miss Alex so we understand how hard it is for you.
Our everyday routines are a constant reminder.
Alex was so blessed as you and Marc were for those years with him.

(((hugs)))
purrs
>^,,^<
✿•*¨`*•. ♥Abby♥Boo♥Ping♥Jinx♥Grace♥✿•*¨`*•.
1. hilaryg
  
  October 9, 2012 at 6:53 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Abby – I can’t believe it is three months either – although in someways it seems longer. Alex was such a special little boy, and will always be missed. It makes me so happy to know that his memory lives on with others, especially you guys… Everyday routines are the hardest… you just go about doing them, but something is missing… we have been trying to mix things up a bit, but…
Irene

October 8, 2012 at 6:53 pm (UTC -4)

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So true! I try to keep our cat active. He sleeps alot and I know that’s not good. So I’ve started playing more with him. He just turned 10 (60 in cat years). And he has gained weight in the past two years. We’ve cut down on his food and encourage him to eat more dry food. With the cold weather he definitely doesn’t want to go out anymore. It’s a challenge but I think we’ll succeed!

(((HUGS))))
1. hilaryg
  
  October 9, 2012 at 6:54 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Irene – good luck! Alex never went out.. and he too had a period when he was overweight…. But playing with them is great excercise for them and a wonderful stress reliever for us – well at least that is what I found…
Lucy

October 8, 2012 at 7:05 pm (UTC -4)

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We keep our dogs active which in turn keep us active, since dogs need walked so it is win-win for us. Loved the photos of Alex
1. hilaryg
  
  October 9, 2012 at 6:54 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Lucy – that is the best thing about dogs.. they force you to excercise~!
Yvonne

October 8, 2012 at 7:26 pm (UTC -4)

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What a beautiful post! I can’t believe it’s been 3 months.
1. hilaryg
  
  October 9, 2012 at 6:54 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Yvonne – thank you so much.. I can’t believe that it is 3 months either
Toni

October 8, 2012 at 8:02 pm (UTC -4)

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So good to hear all about Alex and enjoy his photos, thanks for the GREAT post!!
1. hilaryg
  
  October 9, 2012 at 6:56 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Toni – Alex was such a character… It helps to continue sharing about him – and hopefully some of his “tips for a long and healthy life” will help others….
Susi

October 8, 2012 at 9:13 pm (UTC -4)

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Hilary, I’m glad to hear that you are starting to look back at your life with Alex with a smile on your face. Loved seeing these pictures of him. The one of him peeking out between the stair railing so reminds me of our Finn. She does it all of the time. She also balances on top of the railing, two stories up… that one usually gives me a bad feeling in my tummy!
1. hilaryg
  
  October 9, 2012 at 6:57 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Susi – Finn balances on top? That would freak me out too – just like I got afraid when Alex would sit on top of the fridge…. I had a blast gathering these pictures. Alex was quite the little man…
meowmeowmans

October 8, 2012 at 9:27 pm (UTC -4)

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Hi Hilary,

I’m glad to hear that slowly, but surely, good memories of Alex’s life with you and Marc are coming to the forefront. And hat even the tings that made you crazy are being remembered with fondness. In my experience, that’s how it works. I remember our angel Graphite, and how he used to sometimes wake us from a deep sleep by meowing super loudly in the middle of the night. That used to drive us a little crazy, but now it makes us smile at the memory.

Hugs to you both!
1. hilaryg
  
  October 9, 2012 at 6:59 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Meowmeowmans – hugs back… if only we would appreciate these “annoying moments” at the time we would feel guilty about so much less later… It is funny, I used to not be able to look at pictures of alex without crying, and now, sure I still cry, but more times than not, I smile….
Deborah

October 8, 2012 at 9:41 pm (UTC -4)

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Giving you a big ((HUG)) and keeping you in my thoughts. When I read that it will be three months I think my jaw dropped. Feels like it was yesterday and I know your hearts are heavy.
1. hilaryg
  
  October 9, 2012 at 7:00 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Debby – thanks so much.. hugs back… I know.. I can’t believe it is three months either. I don’t know where time went. I swear, it was just yesterday I was asking for purrs and prayers to be sent to my little guy…
Stacy Uncorked

October 9, 2012 at 8:16 am (UTC -4)

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It’s already been 3 months? Seems like yesterday – that raw hurt feeling will eventually fade, but the good memories never will. ((HUGZ!!))

Fall Finally Arrives with Hotel Transylvania, Body by Vi Challenge Accepted, Comic Moment, Banana Spider and Genius Birthday Card
1. hilaryg
  
  October 10, 2012 at 6:27 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Stacy – it has been… doesn’t seem like it, right?
Gilligan and Maryann

October 9, 2012 at 8:26 pm (UTC -4)

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Hilary,
wow time flies it sure doesn’t seem that long. It is always hard loosing a loved pet but the hurt will get better I followed you thru my other blog (mylifeinablog) and can’t figure how to follow here…hope you will stop by….I will be back on your friday blog
1. hilaryg
  
  October 10, 2012 at 6:29 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Gilligan & MaryAnn – time really does fly… I can’t believe it is three months, but then again I can’t believe it is october either… Looking forward to you playing along on Friday…
Norma Beishir

October 9, 2012 at 9:12 pm (UTC -4)

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I know only too well how you feel. My bird Sam passed away in my lap almost two years ago, and I still deal with the pain of loss. My prayers are with you and your husband.
1. hilaryg
  
  October 10, 2012 at 6:30 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Norma – I am so sorry…. I can’t imagine how hard it was to have sam pass in your lap…. We put alex to sleep in our home, and I can barely go in the room it happened in… It is so hard to lose a pet… THank you for your kind words… My thoughts are with you as well…
Rorybore

October 9, 2012 at 10:27 pm (UTC -4)

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It’s so great to look back on the happy memories and fond moments. I don’t think it ever really stops hurting when we lose someone – perhaps we just gain a fuller perspective of how they enriched our lives. even kitty cats

Zoo Zoo will be thrilled to see some Alex pics.
1. hilaryg
  
  October 10, 2012 at 6:31 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Leslie – I was actually thinking about Zoo Zoo when I posted these. I was hoping she would see them and smile, but then I felt bad that I may be confusing her… You are right, the hurt and pain never stops but hopefully it get less intense….
KimT

October 10, 2012 at 1:45 pm (UTC -4)

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I miss Alex, I can’t imagine how much you must! I’m so grateful you guys at least have lots of warm memories about him. He was one very special cat, but also lucky to have such an awesome family! Hugs to you, wishing time to work it’s magic for you.
1. hilaryg
  
  October 11, 2012 at 6:18 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Kim – you have no idea (well, you probably do) how much we miss him and how hard it is not to have him here…. He was a very special and unique cat and will always be loved and missed….Thanks so much…. we tried our hardest to be the best pawrents to him…. Time always helps… hugs back…
Rykerz Boyz 'n' Allie

October 10, 2012 at 3:00 pm (UTC -4)

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Wow, three months? It surely must not feel that long…. Well we remember how our mom ached at Ryker’s loss. It takes such a long time but we’re so very glad you can look back and smile now at the great memories.

And yes, we completely agree that being physically active must have been a huge help to Alex. Wow, 17 years. A wonderful life!
1. hilaryg
  
  October 11, 2012 at 6:21 am (UTC -4)
  
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  Rykerz Boyz -n Allie – Yes, three months. Crazy, huh? Somedays it feels much shorter, and others so much longer… It is strange… I am glad I am able to look back at pictures and videos and smile. It helps. 17 years – amazing huh? Excercise and diet does pay off!
William Kendall

October 14, 2012 at 4:26 pm (UTC -4)

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I miss the little guy too, and that’s just from knowing him through your blogs.
1. hilaryg
  
  October 15, 2012 at 6:23 am (UTC -4)
  
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  William – Thank you… He was a great little guy and I am so glad I was able to share him with you guys, and that he continues to live in so many people’s hearts