01/01/2021
We said our last goodbyes to sweet Solomon last night. Tomorrow wouldāve been his 21st birthday. Heās been the best, most spoiled shop cat imaginable. He passed peacefully, surrounded by people that love him more than words can describe. As if 2020 hasnāt been enough... this one hits hard.
At first we called him Solomon, then Sol, then Solomander, then that got shortened to Manders. Sometimes Old Manders, but always āSir.ā He had the broadest face youāve ever seen, massive shoulders, a super distinct panther nose and a deep rumbling purr that matched it all. He was a perfect oleā Manders, ALWAYS ready for tuna time.
He used to do wheelies to beg for treats and pets, and Iāll just say it worked š. Concerned about his weight, his vet recommended we put him on a diet... Manders? On a diet? Yikes. Ok (sorry bud). Heās senior and arthritic so if it helps his mobility then letās do it. THIS DIET WAS UNAUTHORIZED BY THE MANDERS. We stuck with it despite the protests, even placed his bowls down the hall for extra exercise, but he just. would. not. lose. weight. Then one day, it all made sense š” when we caught him waddling over to an open room TO STEAL FOOD from a free playing boarding guest. Manders! He had gone deaf by then, so getting after him didnāt do a thing š¤·š»āāļø. In a way, this was so perfect, and a memory of him I will always cherish. Everyone deserves to live to a point where they canāt hear anyone yelling at them and you just do whatever you want. I love it. Itās fantastic.
I like to imagine Manders enjoying an afterlife in a healthy, flexible, mobile body. He has his nice full coat back, his hearing and eyesight, all of his teeth and most importantly, all of his claws. We were fortunate enough to give him an awesome retirement, and he will always be a part of our companyās story. Manders was the boss. Since 2016, this was HIS HOUSE.
Rest easy handsome guy. Thanks for the smiles and laughs. Youāll be missed š š šāā¬