Simba -- the cat who found a home...

The cat Simba had a reputation for being there when needed and, in one notorious walkabout incident, for not being there and setting off a desperate cat hunt.
And, now, as is the case with all things, he and his antics and affections are great memories with prominent places in the hearts of those who loved him.
Andy Allen and her husband, John, were Simba’s people and he was their steady cat. It was a good partnership. Andy explains it best in this memorial recollection of the great cat Simba:
She wrote to friends,
“John and I spent the holiday weekend mourning our beautiful Simba, who has gone to the Rainbow Bridge. Now we’d like to honor the memory of our beautiful boy by sharing a few words and photos with you.
“We think Simba was about 15, perhaps a little older. He came to us in early 1998 – one of the many smart kitties who noticed the shin-high welcome signs out front and in the alley: ‘Food, Water, Shelter, Unlimited Veterinary Coverage Here – No Exclusions!’
“Simba led a long, happy life with us, with very few aches, pains or inconveniences until recently.
“Last August, he was diagnosed with lung cancer. His illness was short; in fact, he did pretty well until the past month. We had him put to sleep, here at home, on Friday. It was a beautiful, sunny day – the kind he loved to spend by the pool – and he passed away in his very favorite place: Daddy’s lap.
“From the very first day, Simba was king of the castle. By the time he came knocking, we had two dogs, many cats, and a couple of fosters.
“This being the case, we did make an attempt to find him a new home. But when he was returned, less than an hour later, on the grounds that the resident cat was incensed, we agreed: Simba was staying.
“Simba was simply the most stunning cat ever, with a personality to match. His fur was long and silky, with perfect buff tabby markings; his face was elegant and chiseled; his eyes, a clear green-gold. Truly, he looked like a tiny, storybook lion.
“He was patient with kids, dogs and other cats, and while he was highly independent, he was also very affectionate with anyone who was comfortable around cats. He was smart, spirited – everything you could ever want in a cat.
“On top of all that, Simba was fiercely loyal and loving to John. I’ve never seen a cat respond like this to a human – nor a grown man act like this toward a cat. Every time John came home from anywhere, Simba greeted him at the door. Every time he had a free arm, John carried Simba in that arm. Every time he traveled anywhere, John instructed me on how to take care of Simba. The two blondies were inseparable, and Simba is very sorely missed.
“Many of you know that Simba went on a four-night walkabout in October 2010. John was working in the garage late at night, and Simba slipped out.
“For the next four days and nights, we dropped everything to search for him. We would not wish this ordeal on anyone, certainly not our dear friends. So please, consider this advice Simba’s parting gift to all. If this ever happens to you, immediately go to missingpetpartnership.org and do exactly what they say.
“In Simba’s case, they said to set a humane trap, the same kind you’d set for a feral cat. Would you believe it worked? That’s how we got our Simba back.
“Simba stayed with us another year before joining our departed ‘kids’ at the Rainbow Bridge. We know he was especially glad to see Joey, his frequent partner in mischief and mayhem, as well as Sam, Sylvia and Carly, whom we lost earlier this year. We miss Simba terribly, but we’re grateful for all the years we had him, and for all the little lives entrusted to our care.
“Thanks for reading about our Simbee. Please enjoy his photos.
“Love,
Andy & John”

(The photos are Simba and Joey on the fence; Simba and Sam on the patio, Simba and John playing and Simba in the middle of a dynamic cat stretch.)