Some six or seven years ago, Nick found a forever home with my friends in Central California. He joined a similarly colored feline brother, Jack, also a recent addition to their family. Nick and Jack weren’t brothers by litter, but they grew to enjoy sibling-like activities, such as bathing, chasing, and sitting on each other as much as possible.

Nick was a good kitty. He was an accidental focal point at his mom’s tacky-Christmas-sweater parties, owing to a distaste for moving for arriving guests (oh, who invited us, anyway). He exercised occasionally; often, in fact, if we count this particular use of the exercise machine. In his most charitable moods, he’d remove condensation from the outside of your beer bottle. You’re welcome, his actions seemed to say.

Recently, Nick’s eyes were watering and crusting over a lot. He was rather uncomfortable and couldn’t see well out of one eye. Unfortunately, the vet confirmed a tumor was causing his suffering. Putting him down was the best option given his condition, which would only worsen with time. He was roughly 6 years old, and he fought like a champ until the very end.

RIP, Nick. We’ll miss you, especially at the sweater party.