Marty's nickname was "Marnie". He lived to be 14 years old, and he was a HOOT! He would climb my legs, climb the door jams... Shoot! He'd climb just about anything!!! He turned into a sweetheart as he got older. THANK GOD!

• Marty was always very lively. Someone brought him back when he was little because he was just "too much". I took him and found out he was a "rip"! He tore curtains, ruined door jams by jumping up on them and sliding down with claws wide open. Everytime I got up, he would jump on me and cling to my ankle. I just kept trying to show him love and hoped he'd come around some day. It took quite a long time, but he finally settled down a lot and became quite affectionate. He loved spaghetti. I just wish I had video taped him. He would take a whole strand of spaghetti and suck it down inch by inch. (I didn't give him a lot.)

• Marty was diagnosed with liver problems at 14. We were given medicine that contained steroids. At first, it appeared that he was "snapping back".

• Then he got progressively worse. I probably should have said good-bye sooner, but I just loved him so much and couldn't even think of my life without him.

• He was SO courageous towards the end. He fought it with everything he had. He had always been a strong cat. I guess it just wasn't enough.

• I knew when he couldn't lift his head up to take a drink of water that the time had come. It was a VERY sad day when we had to say good-bye, and the angels came to take him home.

Good-bye, buddy.

Here's Marty resting at Grandma's house after he nearly broke his leg trying to dangle from a window! His right front paw is in a soft cast here. It didn't hinder him from hopping up on tables, etc. !!!

Marty, your lively "wildfire" spirit will always be missed.

Thanks so much, Diane, for this lovely graphic in honor of my Marty.

© 1998-2005 Susan D. Mahr
All Rights Reserved (Last updated 03.13.05)