James
James was one of many feral and abandoned cats that I fed around Syracuse University. He was a big, tough male, but he was always friendly with other cats and with people, including rambunctious kids. After feeding him for two winters, James trusted me enough to let me pick him up and take him to the vet. After being neutered and released, he was still friendly and hung around my house.
I worked at a library, and thought that James would make a great library cat. He exceeded all expectations. Besides keeping the building rodent-free, he was a master at public relations. A bit shy with adults, he liked children. I had never known a cat that would run toward yelling, running kids, but James liked the excitement. It was while at the library that James acquired his name. He looks just like the cat of that name in Libby Phillips Meggs' book "Go Home!" .
Unfortunately, James lost his job at the library when a woman complained. Since County work rules prohibit non-human species, the union couldn't save his job. Forced into early retirement, James moved in with me. Due to depression caused by his unfair treatment and the loss of his job, James developed an eating disorder: he overate until he was sick. He had never had this problem when employed. If he were human, James would have had an excellent Workers' Compensation case.
Ironically, even though James is gone, the library is not animal-free. The mice have returned to the basement in force, and the bolder ones scurry past the children's books where James once played. James gradually adjusted to his new life.
He befriended Mad Max, a beautiful, but very aggressive young cat who lived with me. James was a calming influence on Max; he was much bigger, and pinned Max down and groomed him when he got too aggressive.
In 2007, I joined James in early retirement. He was my constant companion, always playful and affectionate. In April of 2008, James was diagnosed with colon cancer. Surgery was successful, and he recovered rapidly.
He befriended Honey, and she sometimes slept with him. Blackjack joined our home in late 2011. Blackjack is a big black cat who was very aggressive outside. (He came inside to recover from injuries.) To my surprise, he and James became good friends. James' capacity to calm fearful or aggressive cats appeared boundless.
James was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2012; he received subcutaneous fluids daily from late 2013. James developed high blood pressure in 2013, but we were able to get it back to normal with meds in 2014.
James was diagnosed with an inoperable tumor in his chest on June 26, 2014. He passed away on July 9, 2014 from the combined effects of kidney disease, heart disease, and cancer. He beat cancer once back in 2008, but not this time. He had a chest ultrasound on June 7, and there was no tumor. It was there on June 26.
James was predeceased (on June 5, 2014), by best friend Max. Survived by Honey and Blackjack whom he helped adjust to life with humans. Missed by all who knew him, human and feline.
