Jack was the epitome of cat. He was strong, independent and wonderfully brazen about how handsome he was. I think he may have been a reincarnation of one of the Egyptian cats that were worshipped - he certainly knew he was entitled to it.
He was given to me as a kitten 14 years ago by a couple that decided they didn't want the hassle of litter training the kittens they had. Jack was carried home snuggled under my big black winter coat with a tin of cat meat in the pocket. He wasn't scared of Mog.....in fact, he wasn't scared of many things. He was fearless, intrepid - an explorer supreme.
But he was also my little panther. When he was very small, he used to sit on my shoulder but when he got too big for that he decided I'd be the one allowed to tickle his belly and blow raspberries on it. He also liked leaning on my chest so we could rub noses.
I'm not sure there are the right words to say how free this boy was, nor are there the words to say how much my partner and I loved him and how much he'll be missed.
RIP Little Panther, will love you always.