My sister's cat Topaz has crossed the bridge. She told me last week when
I saw her.

Topaz acquired her family as a tiny kitten,when my sister and brother-in-law
were newlyweds.  She was the tiny orange ball of fluff, and her brother
Sid was a little gray tuxedo.  While Sid was the friendly one, Topaz hated
being picked up. She was probably never bigger than 5 lbs her whole life,
but what spirit!! She hated being picked up, but if you sat still long
enough, she'd be in your lap, reclining like the queen she was.

They needed to be drugged every time the slaves moved, but Topaz was always
the first one out of the carrier and exploring the new house. Sid eventually
left for the bridge a few years ago, and Topaz got friendlier towards
the humans when she was alone.  She stayed with me for 4 weeks when her
people went for a long vacation.  Rita hated her, but we got along just
fine. She loved being brushed.

She was about 18 years old.  Her joints were stiff and painful. She was
eating and using the box, but eventually it just got to be too much.

Rest in peace, Topaz.  Go play with Fin. Wait for us.

Jane