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Riley first started showing up at Cheryl's house in Rhode Island about six years ago. We met him at one of our early sleepovers and he was friendly even then, walking over us while we slept and sniffing our faces.

Gina adopted him a few days before Christmas in 2000. I found the email she wrote to our group of friends right after he came to live with her and Linn, who were roommates at Mint Manor at the time:

Also, we now have a cat named Riley (no one else has told have they?) He
is a stray that was taken in by Cheryl and her family till Cheryl could
find a good home...We fell in love when we visited a couple of weeks
ago, but I was afraid to take him...I'm not allowed to have pets, he was
an oudoor cat (Not anymore!)...blah blah blah...but when Cheryl really
need him to find a home, I just had to take him! Linn, who is allergic
wanted him too...he is totally at home..the landlady met him today...she
fussed a little then let it go...

So that's what's up...

Happy Holidays everyone and I love you!
Gina

He came to us as an adult of indeterminate age, but spry as a kitten despite his large size. His favourite game was to hide behind the large, cylindrical cushions on the floor and pounce at anyone who passed by, or chase around the room with his favourite toy, a wooden stick with a bit of red Christmas ribbon tied to it.

When my cats, Rosie and Lily, died in 2002, he graduated to being the cat that I'd known longest and best. When we all moved in together last year, I had to leave my "new" cats, Inca and Maya, with my parents; Gina had Riley and Spike, and Cheryl had Simon, and that was already more cats than we were allowed to have. But I didn't want for the love of a cat, because Riley gave very freely of the love. He was the only cat in the household who came running when I called (not even Inca does that); he slept with me at night when I let him in (not often), and when the other cats crowded him out of St Francis of Assisi's's bed. He was also a Goils mascot, there through most of our adventures and during the period when our bond was growing strongest.

He was friends with a lot of people. He was the only cat Pena could stand; he adored Linn and loved to curl up in Cheryl's lap; my sister called him "Handsome Prince" and he even spent some quality time with my dad when given the chance. And, of course, his true love was his mistress. He was Gina's shadow and slept with her almost every night all those seven years.

He took a terrible turn the last few weeks, growing thin and weak, and had a large tunmor in his chest and enlarged kidneys. He was very uncomfortable, exhausted and disoriented, and the bravest, most generous decision was made. We were all there in the room with him and he knew it.

I miss you, my handsome boy. We'll love you forever.

Why are you in Tavie's head? 7:31 PM | shower me with attention