In Memoriam: Charlotte, NC 6-3-14: It is with great sadness that I report the passing of a very important member of my family, Freddy Katz, almost 22 human years old; or 108. (5 years per year in cat years). Though "Fraidy" was his legal name, we changed it so as not to give him an inferiority complex. Freddy wasn't a "rescue," he was a "kidnap!" Born in Charlotte in the winter of 1992, he was a rare pure bread "non-barred Red Point Siamese who could speak!" His original owner, a rather stout lady who lived in the same condos,
thought it best to
have him neutered and his front claws removed??? Apparently,
Freddy was somewhat displeased with that and
escaped, only to become a very malnourished and impossible
to catch neighborhood stray. On occasion, I would see him
in the back woods of the property being chased by a rude
pair of Weimaraners?! But, somehow, he always
escaped their clutches. Freddy was a survivor...
On many occasions, I would attempt to pet him and make
friends, but he seemed to be afraid of people, and
rightfully so... and then, one day, I got a phone call
from an old girlfriend asking me what she should do with 2 pounds of "iffy"
shrimp!! So, I made a shrimp line from the warm metal
utility box on which Freddy often perched
himself all of the way to my
back door. There must have been 100
of them in a row! When I checked later that afternoon,
almost all of them were gone and Freddy had a huge
belly!... a few days later, while playing speed chess on
the back patio with Paul Lucas, I felt something
brushing the back of my legs. I looked down and it was Freddy
saying hello!! Even then, he wouldn't let me pet him.--
Over the next few weeks, I would see him, and leave food
for him, but he remained illusive. Finally, somehow, my
kids let him into the condo. He ran up and down those
carpeted stairs at 100
mph! I yelled, "Get that cat out of here... he belongs
to someone else!?" -- Soon thereafter, I closed on
our new home on Carmel Forest Dr! Over the next few days,
my 3 sons, Mischa,
Joe and Sammy and I moved our belongings to
the new home. And then, Joe said, "Where's the
cat? Go get the cat!" In fact, I needed to make one
final trip to get the brooms and buckets. When I arrived,
the place was dark and empty. I opened the back curtain,
and lo and behold, there stood Freddy! When
I 
opened the door, he literally
jumped into my arms!! He now had a new home, and I had a
wonderful new friend! -- Freddy quickly became the
King of the castle. Here's Freddy
providing security for the official CCC chess bag. As the
months and years went by, he developed into THE
most personable cat I have ever seen. Freddy was
an indoor/outdoor cat with a very independent attitude. He
would get lost for days, but somehow always found his way
back home. He would always greet every visitor who came
into the house by saying a few words to them in "Cat
English!" So, you say that "animals don't
talk back!" Well, this one did... During chess games
or poker games, he would jump up onto the table and
carefully tip-toe around making sure to avoid chess pieces
or stacks of poker chips, in order to wish everyone good
luck! It was common to hear someone yell, "move
Freddy, I can't see the cards!?" -- In his later
years, Freddy developed into somewhat of a wise
sage. When I became embroiled in controversy for one
reason or another, he was always there
to offer advice and console me with the loudest "purr"
you've ever heard! -- In his later years, he slept with me
every night... and, he woke me up every morning?! Sure, I
have 3 children and 4 grandchildren and I love
them very much, but Freddy was my partner... Over
the past couple of months, it became difficult for him to
chew and swallow. I took him to the vet who dispensed his
medication but cautioned me that "there is no magic
pill for old age." After all, he had already lived
longer than most every other cat in history! It was surely
a godsend that Freddy found his way into the life
of a bum like me. He relied on me and gave me love. He
brought me so much joy! I was honored to take care of him
to the end. -- Freddy passed away in my bed this
morning at 6:30am. He is laid to rest in the back
yard of our home in Mint Hill. I am very
sad. 
Leland