Heartbroken ...

Tonight our hearts are breaking for poor Chester. Since we already have six house cats, we were never able to bring Chester in the house. The best we could do for him was give him shelter, a cat bed to sleep in, and a space heater in the garage. We fed him twice a day and took care of him the best we possibly could have. 

He began to come around about two years ago when my husband befriended him. We have no idea where he came from or how old he was, but we noticed the past few months (especially with the cold, ugly weather we have been having lately) that he, as with most outside cats began to age rapidly. He was having trouble walking - possibly arthritis (who knows?) and so we gave him Fancy Feast with turmeric mixed in with it to help him with his joints. He would sleep in the garage most days and nights on an old sofa cushion we have that he seemed to like and somehow managed to jump up on. 

A couple of times he would wander (not too far) and we would not see him for a couple of days and then suddenly he would show up and once again live in the garage. This past Friday night after we fed him he walked out of the garage and never came back. The Godforsaken snow came that night and we fear that he died outside somewhere because he never came back. 

Chester eating with his buddy Charlie.

I suggested bringing him in and keeping safe and warm in one of our large dog cages downstairs (away from the other cats) until winter was over but my husband said that he would not be happy living his last days that way so we didn't do it. I am regretting that decision now and both my husband and I are shedding a few tears over his loss. I only pray we gave him some happiness in his hard life.