Thank you so much, he was my favorite cat. We also lost an orange tabby last year, he was just too big, 25 lbs, and his heart couldn’t handle it.
My tabby was a big one as well, about 20 lbs but really muscular and very healthy...he just decided to adopt my neighbors after 3 years with me. He would hang out with their herd (they had over 10), one of them would bring him back, he’d split again a week or so later.
The fifth or sixth time he pulled the disappearing act, they call to let me know he was there yet again. Bear in mind that this cat HATED other animals yet played and cuddled with their kitties like he was part of the pride.
I told them maybe he was bored with kicking the s*** out of my dogs and needed a change; after the laughter subsides they agree to keep him “for a while”.
This was over 15 years ago.
SirL