This morning saw the passing of a great cat. His happy life lasted for 16 years, during which he was my companion through two wives, seven books and two cross-country moves. He survived abduction by a tweaker neighbor. Even at his advanced age, he had the energy of a kitten until the final few weeks of his life.

He rarely met anyone he didn’t like, and was friendly to a degree that some found obnoxious. Sad though I am that he’s gone, I’m mostly just happy and grateful for so...