R.I.P.

NAPOLÉON LONGTIN

(2004 – 2010)

Charles, Eva and I have sad news to share about our Napo, beloved, long-time companion and member of our little family, who passed away on the morning of this past Saturday, the 24^th of April 2010. After fighting for over 3 weeks, Napo’s heart and lungs ceased to function at 9:47 a.m., at the veterinary clinic here in Accra, Ghana, with us by his side. Initially, we had two separate veterinarian doctors and an online vet. nurse diagnose him with an infection of the liver and hepatic lipidosis, but it was later revealed in autopsy that it was actually advanced cirrhosis of the liver due to a toxin that he ingested either by deliberate poisoning or pesticides in the water or on plants/grass outside. They’re not too good with pets here, especially cats (some of the poor Ghanaians actually eat them), and don’t understand the affection and attachment North Americans can have with their pets as we do. I was not too impressed with the care he received but I understand that it was too late by the time we sought medical attention. We will miss him dearly, and will remember all the touching moments we had with him from the day we adopted him as a tiny 4 week-old kitten at the Aylmer SPCA, to the happy past 6 years we have spent together as the family has gotten bigger. He will always be our one-of-a-kind, ever-faithful and charming “dog-cat” that followed along with us when we went for walks, enjoyed car rides to Montreal on weekends and always hung out close by in case we shook his kitty treats to come back.

We named him after Napoléon Bonaparte, the French emperor, because of his debonair mannerisms, the way he always looked so intimidating, and never got into any fights with other cats. For this reason and many others, his little brother Loki will miss him a lot too. Loki was separated from his family at about 3 months of age, so Napo became his big brother, protector, guide and friend. Both Tabbies’ (feline species), they cared for each other, were very close and cuddled a lot. At least we can say that Napo had the opportunity to see parts of the world that some people don’t even get the chance to experience. Overall, we think he had a good and happy feline life with us, being free to come and go as he pleased, hunt mice and birds in Canada, and more recently, lizards and butterflies in Ghana.

Some of my fondest memories of Napo were of when he was a baby, so minuscule he looked like a mouse, and later, living in Gatineau after Eva was born, seeing him play in the Autumn-fallen leaves with her as a baby. Napoléon was our first “baby” and pet, so will always hold a dear place in my heart... Be happy in cat heaven, Napo, we love you!