I ever knew…..  I received the sad news from Jek today of Holstein’s passing….  Any of you, and there are a few, who remember Jek’s childhood dog, Lucy, Holstein is, at this moment, sitting right next to Lucy discussing their likes and dislikes of Master Jek…..  They were both more human than a lot of people I know, and that’s not stretching the truth one bit!…..  I personally will miss her, despite the few small claw scars I have when I bugged her just a smidgen too much….  Good cats are easy to find, Cats like Holstein are a God send….

Jek gave me permission to reprint this e-mail that he and Tarn sent to family and friends, and, I think Jek and Tarn consider the MR Community as family as well……

Dear friends and family,

Thursday we said goodbye to Holstein (aka Bein Bein), our beloved feline family member of almost 12 years. Holstein came with our house, but as an outdoor cat not particularly interested in people. Our early attempts at vet care didn’t help endear her to us, but after a year or so she decided that winter nights were best spent indoors. We fashioned a bell on the front doorknob, and she trained us to let her out when she rang it. Always a purring, loving cat, she mellowed over the years, finally becoming a lap-cat who enjoyed the cat brush and even direct application of a vacuum. Holstein had a knack for stumping the vet with various ailments, dealing with each new challenge as if it were a mountain to conquer. Everyone at the vet was always happy to see her, and her doctor called her the sweetest cat in the practice. She still loved to go outside, and she’d routinely sharpen her claws as if she we about to go on a big hunt, though typically she’d just end up on the front porch surveying her land, keeping an eye on those chirping birds. Those of you who knew Holstein may have been lucky enough to have her “kiss” you by nudging her face into yours, usually followed by a scratchy tongue attack on your cheek. We love you Holstein.

 Mournfully,