Luca (Patreon)

EDIT: Thank you all so much for the thoughtful comments.--------------------------------

Had to say goodbye to my big guy yesterday.In spite of his Viktor-like mien, and all that he'd been through, he was the most good-natured cat I've ever known - placid, confident, and eminently friendly. He walked into my house one day with his broken face, his jaw dislocated, his eye destroyed and infection all over...and though it flung me into a frantic search for a emergency vet at the time, what a strange, messy, blessing it all turned out to be.He patiently put up with every bit of surgery it took to piece him back together. The whole time he wanted nothing but love...well, love, and some running water. His drinking fountain was his favorite pastime. Not drinking from it, just splashing around in it. 

He played ambassador anytime I was trying to socialize feral cats and kittens. He was so much at ease that it put them at ease. His presence let me interact with some otherwise very hissy customers. He coaxed Dwight (the tripod who is now Newt's cat) out of hiding, and he was immediately elected foster dad to a whole pile of wild gremlin kittens.

He was the sort of cat you could just bury your face in. He'd stay there, content to be your purring pillow for however long (although you might come away with an allergy attack).Anyway, he was just lovely, and I am a bit shattered. I guess I just had to write something down about him. I hope you don't mind.Pictured in the photos: his crooked boxer's face, being piled-on by his fan club, and teaching Dwight about cat toys.