Thomas, or Tomas, came to us after his caretaker of eight years noticed him failing. He had been living outdoors, and always came when she called him for meals. He was friendly, to humans as well as to other cats. He even cared for the younger ones.  He regained his health here: the photo above was taken after he'd been here for a few months. Then he got a strange baffle-the-vets condition in which his face, whole head actually, swelled up, and he lost hair on it!  It was so badly inflamed that he got steroids at first, and with the other treatments, and time, this condition resolved.  That cleared up, and he lived happily for many months. Then he started to fail again. Nothing specific, but he slowed down. He had developed a squamous cell cancer on his nose, but I don't think that was the cause of death. He worked with Dr. Michele Yasson, a homeopathic cancer specialist.  We don't know how old he was; at least eleven. A hard life can create a lot of wear and tear on the organs, etc.  But Tomas reached the end of his life quietly, with grace and passed peacefully with us near him.
Tomas' former caretaker came to visit him often, between her two jobs.  She is an admirable woman! She collected cans and bottles to recycle, and brought me the proceeds. Her work took many, Many hours, and was not easy or pleasant.  Bless her!! this photo is of her with Thomas on one of her visits.

In the arms of his former caretaker

Himself!

Caring for Melanie

Helping with the puzzle!

with Ted and Barry

He knows he's FINE!

Nothing like a box!