"Sam" (Samantha)
May 1981 - May 21, 1997

(The story below is taken from Sam's memoirs)

Chapter 1

After a shaky start, I was fortunate to find wonderful people with which to live. I was born into a very nice cat family somewhere in New Jersey and was adopted by a neighbor when I was about six weeks old. Life seemed good until I moved to my new home. The first night there I learned I was not welcome and must leave before the next night or I would be tossed off a very tall bridge near by.

The person who adopted me was very concerned that this not happen so the next morning she took me on a long car ride to a very noisy place where there were a lot of buildings and people. One building had many little kittens like me behind a big window, but they didn't look very happy and some of them even looked sick! I didn't think I wanted to live there but I was afraid that I soon would be. The person that brought me did not want to leave me either and was very upset when she saw the other kittens behind the big window. I tried to hide in the towel I was wrapped in thinking maybe all this would go way.

Suddenly things started looking up! Another person stopped to look at the kittens in the window and started talking to the person that brought me there. This person said how terrible it was that all of those kittens were behind the big window and how they wished they could take them all home. My person was agreeing and then explained why she was there and how upset she was. This new person listened to my story and she said had one cat at home but had been thinking about getting another one. I perked up at that and thought maybe if I was impressive enough they would decide to take me home with them. So, I peaked out of the towel. I wasn't as good at looking regal and impressive then, as I got to be as I got older, but for some reason, they were very impressed with the little black spot I had right on the end of my nose. (I learned as I got older, people are impressed with the strangest things.) The person that brought me helped too, pointing out the gray tiger spot under my chin and repeating the horrible fate awaiting me if I were to stay with her. This new person agreed to take me home and thus began an association that lasted my entire life.

Chapter 2

We took another car ride to my new home. I was greeted by a small person who said I would be "his cat" (little did he know about who owns who here, but over time I got him straightened out). He named me "Sam." I accepted it graciously and didn't mention that I was a girl. (My previous person seems to think I was a boy, too) Anyway my new person who brought there noticed the error a couple of weeks later and my name was modified to "Samantha," but I was always know as "Sam." However in later years as I, and the humans around me, fully realized that I was the final authority on everything, I was frequently addressed as "Samantha T Cat" (the "T" standing for "the"), and also as "Your Highness," and occasionally "Your Royal Fur-ness."

My life was quite secure despite the fact there was a lot of chaos and confusion here. The small person (and several other small people) grew into big persons and moved on with their lives. While I was always know as "his cat," I felt much closer to the person who brought me into their lives. I knew that she had to deal with all sorts of unpleasant things that were happening around her. Since she had given me a chance for a new life, I wanted to be there to help her start a new life as well. I was beginning to think that this might never happen (humans are very slow to see what is going on around them sometimes). As I got older I developed many of the afflictions of old age such as arthritis, poor eyesight and hearing, as well as a matronly figure making it harder for me to get about and be involved with the goings-on of living.

Then one day it happened! My person put me in the cat carrier and we were off to a new life. We moved to an apartment! I could tell my person was much happier though I did miss going outside to sit in the grass when the weather was nice. Soon, most of my time was taken up with trying to instruct Lady how to be a proper dignified cat. It has been a trial as she is quite "fur-headed." Young kittens just aren't what they were when I was a kitten.

Chapter 3

We had just gotten our new life sorted out when I got very sick. All I did was drink lots of water, lie around, sleep and lose a lot of weight. After several trips to the vet, it was discovered I was diabetic. It seems that this is not an uncommon condition in older cats. (Please check the feline diabetes link on the Animals of the Woods page) It took several months and many more trips to the vet but finally I started feeling a bit better.

I have two insulin shots each day to keep my system in balance. It is good to feel better and gain back my matronly figure. Lady is still crazy most of the time but does try to listen to me when I give her instruction on dignity and cat aloofness. My person is happy, too. I'm sure a big part of her happiness is that I am feeling better.

But she is also happy because she has a new person in her life. I have to admit he is quite a remarkable human. First, and foremost of course, he likes cats and understands them too. He gives me my shots if my primary human isn't here and sometimes even when she is. He knows just how I like my dinner warmed before serving and laced with just the right amount of fresh milk. He has taken me to the vet when she couldn't, too. I really don't like to go to the vet but I do understand it is necessary for me to go there frequently now. It is so wonderful to have a quiet, dignified existence in one's later years.

Chapter 4

We have a new roommate here. Actually, it isn't that bad, Sid is quite reserved, once he came out from under the chair and we have gotten to know him. I made it clear with an imperial look that I was in charge and as long as he kept that in mind, things would be fine. Lady threw a fit until she thought about it and realized that Sid was willing to play with her. Something I have neither the patience nor energy to do anymore. As long as they don't bother me and it is understood I am first at dinner, I don't care what they do.

From Sam's humans: On May 17th, Sam began having severe seizures. There were several emergency trips to the vet and much new medication. By the 20th, we knew her time here was nearly ended. On May 21st about 7:30 PM she went reluctently to the Rainbow Bridge. She was buried by the little creek in the yard, of the now young man, who always said she was his cat.

When I started editing Sam's memoirs and writing this I did not expect to be writing this final paragraph. I knew eventually I would go looking for another cat, but I also knew I had to wait until the time was right. In November I was 'net surfing and ran across a cat in Virginia looking for a home. I know how important it is for everyone to have a place to call their own so I wrote him a note hoping he found the right home soon. We began corresponding and the last thing in my mind was looking into adopting him. Then in January, I hear from him, it clicked, John and I talked about it, and he agreed we should try to adopt Gulliver. After a flurry of email, snail mail and phone calls, Gulliver arrived at The Cabin on February 8th. I know he isn't Sam but I think Sam pointed the way to him. Gulliver has many "Sam traits" and in his quiet dignified way has totally taken over as "senior cat" in our household. Please stop by his page and read his story.