Brain Andrew Charles was the most loyal cat who ever lived. He had such a personality. He loved fiercely, transitioned to frisky kitten to father figure/brother to all in the house, he held grudges, was an alpha male, a supreme head cuddler, and ruled our home.
Chris picked him out when I was 21. I wanted his sister from the shelter, and I clearly remember thinking that I should trust Chris on this decision. He was right! Brain went from living in a college crap house in East Lansing (and being called Socrates after Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure), to an apartment in Ann Arbor where we had to pretend that he didn't exist because we didn't want to pay the extra $40 a month, to an apartment in Howell where we ALSO had to pretend that he didn't exist because we didn't want to pay the pet fee (and the apartment nicely went along with that even after he escaped one afternoon and had to hang out in the club house until I got off work), to a house in Brighton where he would run away and hide in the bushes and act feral when we tried to get him back (thanks to Rugen for alerting us!), to a house in Canton where he helped welcome our children and was my emotional support cat during the years we fought to have Teddy. We had him our entire adult lives. I still remember cuddling him the morning we got married. I remember him laying in cribs and bassinets, I remember getting tax returns and "treating" him to new collars. He watched us go from poor college kids to the family we are now.
Brain loved us all. He checked on our kids at night, stayed in their beds on the first night they slept on their own, and patrolled the house throughout the day and night. He'd greet visitors as they came in and out. We had real estate agents tell us he was "too friendly" when we were selling our house in Brighton. He convinced several of our nannies over the years that certain cats really can be amazing. He hated when we went on vacation (and once left us a "surprise" on a suitcase).
Going back through first day of school pictures this year, I noticed he was at the window in almost every single one, beginning when Leah was 3 years old. In fact, he is lurking in the background of hundreds and hundreds of pictures of our lives. He slept on Chris's pillow/head for years. In many ways, Brain was the first step to becoming the family we are.
He loved his stuffed bunny and loudly displayed affection for him. I miss Brain's caterwauls that he'd make each night. He was loyal to that bunny for years and we had the bunny cremated with him so they could be together forever.
This winter Brain's body began to fail him. He was determined to fight through the pain and discomfort. Unfortunately, we had to help him end his life because he would not stop fighting. He passed completely relaxed, being cuddled and reminded of how much he was loved. I dreaded that moment for so long, but was about as good as death gets to be able to be with him and watch him pass peacefully.
It makes me so sad that Teddy might not remember him. I know we will share stories of him throughout the rest of our lives, though. When we named Teddy, the Charles in his name was equal parts for the street Chris and I met on and for Brain.
To the best cat ever. Brain Andrew Charles Lode. 6/2002 - 2/2021.
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