Gus was adopted from the Fredericton SPCA. He was brought in as a stray with his 7 brothers and sisters and his mom. He spent his first 8 weeks on the mean streets of Harvey and adapted quite well to his new life of luxury after I brought him home on December 1, 2002.

My little Gus passed away on July 14, 2005. It was very unexpected and sudden.

He had been suffering from recurring bladder infections for a few months and had been catheterized at the vet his last weekend. We had hoped that would clear up the problem and he would be back to usual antics soon, but I guess it was all a bit much for him to handle.

Since returning home, he had been sluggish - but I thought it was the valium he was prescribed and thought he would perk up once the doses stopped. But he didn't perk up. Early in the morning, I was brushing him, he made motions as if he wanted down, and he passed away a few moments after I put him on the floor.

He had a short life - he would have been 3 years old in September - but he lived it to the fullest. Watching squirrels, chasing mosquitos and moths, climbing carpeted poles and running around after laser lights kept him busy. He even acted as Eppy's personal trainer (up the stairs, down the stairs, up the stairs......) He also put a smile on most human faces while they watched him.

Gus joined the family quite soon after Norman passed away, and helped bring Eppy out of a depression that I feared would take his life. It seems that Gus had a job to do on this earth, he completed his task and then he left. He will be sorely missed.

Gus' "birthday" was September 27, 2002 and he passed away on July 14, 2005.

He is survived by his furry brother, Eppy, who will be an only cat for a while.