Friday, December 13, 2013

Why Don't Cats Have Obituaries? Well, This One Does!

Bandit Dix of Manassas, Virginia died of natural causes on December 12, 2013. He was 15 years old. Described by local veterinarians as "fractious" and "bitey," Bandit was born sometime in 1998 and was given up for adoption. His first "forever" family gave him up because their baby was allergic to cats. (Fortunately, the baby miraculously recovered from his allergies and the family adopted another cat.)

Bandit was adopted by Kevin William Dix of Manassas, Virginia. He had intended on giving Bandit to his niece. However, Kevin found that he and Bandit had a lot in common. They were both bachelors and they both enjoyed being left alone. Eventually, Marni Matyac joined their little family. Bandit was not impressed with her at first, but grew to tolerate and eventually accept her as one of his "people."

Bandit enjoyed laying next to his dad, scratching the back of chairs, sleeping in the sun, and being brushed. He also enjoyed eating a week's worth of food the first day his people would leave on vacation. Described as "handsome" and "beautiful," Bandit could be extremely loving to his people. He could be equally hateful to people he didn't like, which was pretty much everyone. If you are reading this, Bandit probably didn't like you. He took particular joy in hissing at people he didn't like. This included everyone he met, even Kevin's mother. Not to be outdone, she would hiss back at him. Hissing apparently runs in the family.

Bandit is currently lying in state in the family's garage in Manassas. He will be laid to rest with his Uncle Hank
and step-siblings Buddy and Sally in the Dix family burial site in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

“What greater gift than the love of a cat.” 
 Charles Dickens