In Memory of Butch Katzidy
May 5, 1994 - June 10, 2005

ABOUT BUTCH'S LIFE

Let me tell you about my boy, if words could ever describe him. From the day I picked him up in Florida, at 8 weeks, he was people-oriented. Full of himself and wonderful, Butch had 2 favorite positions -- on his back fast asleep or on my chest with his face stuck in mine. Every night when I lay down to read, he would place all of his twenty some odd pounds (he was BIG) on my chest. I did not get much reading done. And he loved bellyrubs.  If there was competitive kitty flyball, Butch would have been the champ. I would throw a kittycurl toy up and ahead; he would leap 4 to 5 feet in the air and catch the toy in his front paws. We also played kitty hockey.

But his greatest gift was his love of people. There is a cat tree near the entrance to my apartment. Butch would perch on one of the platforms waiting, as you would walk by he would swat you if you did not stop. When you did, he would stick his face in yours and head butt you. Everyone got "marked." And when you sat on the couch he sat next to you asking to be rubbed. At first he was very jealous of Dari; finally after about three years he realized she was here to stay. When we would come in from a walk, Butch would shove his big old head under Dari's (she would stand stock still) and rub his scent into her. She became his dog. There is a book called "The Quoteable Feline" by Jim Dratfield (Petography). Butch is on the first page. The quote is "God invented cats to prove not everthing in life HAS to have a purpose."

Butch wanted to be with people. He wagged his tail like a dog. He was a bobcat hybrid with a tail that was about 3 inches long. Gentle and sweet. I could go on; but words cannot do him justice.

ABOUT BUTCH'S DEATH

There is an animal; that special one that we are so privileged to share our lives with. One special dog; one special cat.

I had that one special cat, his name was Butch Katzidy and today he left me. Today, I told him that it was okay for his old and sick body to release his wonderful and loving spirit.

Butch was 11 years old and last October a very virulent form of diabetes took control of him. My wonderful, friendly boy became a reclusive cat that lived in the kitchen; sleeping on the water bowl.  A cat who LOVED people, now ignored them.

His physical being has been detiriorating over the past weeks; we went to the Vet and decided to let him go.

Goodby my boy.... Thank you for the most wonderful 11 years; for teasing Dari; for loving me. Mostly loving me and making me smile everyday that I saw your face.

I miss you Butch. I love you Butch. There will NEVER be another.

Fran Prince

New York City