Here is my darling Wilbur, the barn cat who follows me around like a dear companion when I visit my girls. He purrs like a little fire truck and he is the sweetest man on earth. This past summer, he disappeared for a few months and we despaired that he had died.
But then one day, he showed up again, rail thin, and with the wounds of war all over him. He is going to be bald in a patch on his side, and he will never be full of weight, I don't think, but he is my kind sweet boy. My darling, darling Wilbur.
The day he returned, I gave him the biggest greeting and lots of careful petting and words of praise for his bravery and loyalty.