When I brought Smokey in, he was under a death sentence.  He had maybe
a week left to live, with people actively trying to kill him.

We didn't know how old he was, how healthy he was or how much time he
had left, but I decided, he only had a week anyway.  I decided that
when I lose him, I can't begrudge it, because every day beyond August
17, 2002 was borrowed time he otherwise wouldn't have had.  Every day
beyond that is our gift to him.  He owes us nothing.

Now I've had Smokey longer than you had Four, but I think the
principle is the same.  Four had a tough life ahead of him without
you.  It might have been shorter.  I doubt it would have been longer.
Every moment he had with you was a blessing for him.

--Fil