Jinx Mathews Merrill, 1995-2011

Well, we now know the kids share Carey's compassion gene. We told them Jinx went to feline heaven today and they reacted by curling up with us on the couch and sharing stories between sobs. After 45 minutes of various attempts at consolation, Lincoln is now volunteering to die so he can see him again and Greta is worried that Jinx, who couldn't walk at the end, won't be able to make it across the Rainbow Bridge.

Our beloved Maine Coon started acting strange Tuesday night -- not eating his food, not waking us up with howls for morning treats, and spending his time in odd corners of the basement we'd never seen him in before. By Wednesday night he stopped drinking and today his kidneys started shutting down. Carey took him to the vet this afternoon and we put him out of his suffering. He was almost 16 years old and had a great life -- first with Aunt Chris, then with Carey's Dad, then with Aunt Kathy and us.

Here are a few photos through the years.  We'll miss you, Jinxy.