Charcoal

Ashley

Charcoal Grey: Big Boy, Big Heart
AKA: Charkie-barkie, Char-Coal-Lot, Cuddle Bug
1 Apr 2003? - 17 Dec 2018
The Superman Song

My Big Boy

The Charcoal and his brother Ashley were adopted after Pudder Tat passed away. Puddn was as close to my Soul Cat as I could hope for. Charcoal was also a large framed gray cat with a mellow personality. The similarities were not lost on me.

The Raptors

The twins were very close in their early years. Biff and Bart close. When we got the twins, they were both exactly 11 lbs. Then the next year at the vet they were both exactly 17lbs. We called the twins "The Raptor Boys" because they would make an approach together, or look at things at the same time -- and their eyes would glow a bright green. Quite often it was impossible to tell them apart except for their collar colours -even now in some photos we can't tell who is who. As the years went on, they stopped cuddling. But it was obvious when Charcoal passed, that Ashley felt his absence.

First Contact

When we adopted Sowen, we chose Charcoal to be the greeter, the first introduction. He did not disappoint. They hit it off right away and she was only ever comfortable with him and Tahl, a later introduction. Sowen was ever in love with him and would watch him adoringly. However in his odd way, he never reciprocated..

Admiration for his Nemisis

Every cat has his nemesis. Charcoal's was Gusto. I assume Gusto sensed everyone's love for Charcoal and was acting out in jealousy. In Charcoals favor, he was never mean back, and always seemed to look up to Gusto despite his actions.

A Uneasy Truce

After Gusto passed, Neko carried the tormentor's torch. However after a long while, they tolerated each other long enough. It was a rare but wonderful occasion, when they kissed noses.

9 Lives

Loved Outside / The Game

He loved going outside so much that he would actually push Neko out of the way to go out. They would play the game of sit in front of the window, so neither could get in or out.

Sith Spit

After he had most of his teeth removed, he would drool continuously. When he'd shake his head he would slime us.

Feed Me

During feeding time, he would stretch up towards the counter and meow as if he hadn’t eaten in days.

Fighting Weight

He was such a big cat, even under the fat. You could see that even when he had lost some weight. He lost a lot of weight after Gusto passed. I imagine the relief of not being terrorized relieved his urge to overeat.

Meow? What?

Charcoal had a couple meows, but my favourite was his silent meow - he'd look up and his mouth would open wide but no sound would come out.

Getting Stronger

Charcoal loved playing with the "cat dancer" toy (click to view) we had attached to the cupboard with all the cat food and treats - and most mornings he would bat it around while waiting to be fed! He was also an avid laser dot hunter and loved batting the ball around in the Tahlly Hurricane. He would move so fast for such a large cat.

The End

Nine lives soon run out. We believe Charcoal had a cance near his bowels, and it started spreading to his lungs. On his last week, he lost his appetite, but we were fortunate to discover that he, loved, and would eat pure chicken pieces.