Remembering Alexander Well-Beloved Kitten, the ultimate boat cat

He was the unlikeliest of boat cats, a brave stray kitten found crying under a bush in a rough part of town by a kind lady holding a spay and neuter clinic. Candy Schumann, co-founder of San Diego’s Spay & Neuter Action Project, described Alexander as “a purring mushball,” eager for cuddles more than food, even though he’d clearly been abused and starved. She fostered him in her home, where he was returned once after an unsuccessful adoption for being “too friendly.” Now we’re grieving over our invariably kind and loving Alexander’s loss. After 13 years of mutually devoted companionship, we said goodbye April 3, when cancer overcame his fierce will to live. Arv and I met Alexander when we went to adopt a kitten, now Amy, and felt she needed a companion. I’d wanted a long-haired cat, but then I met wise Alexander (a short-haired gray tiger and the most loyal of cats) when he jumped into my lap. He looked longingly at me with his big green eyes as if saying, “I know you’re not considering adopting me, but won’t you take me home with you?” The following day we brought Alexander and Amy home and never looked back. As Amy glommed onto...