My lovely Friend.

My lovely Kitten. My lovely Ginger. My Sunshine. Marcus.

I'm grateful to the fate that it brought me with you that Autumn 2006. Someone was giving out kittens near subway station. It was just an impulse to come up and to see. And since I saw you, I took you in my arms and never part with you.

I remember, as if it was yesterday, how I brought you home, hiding under my jacket, how I stroked and calmed you all the road so you would not be afraid. I remember your first unsured steps in the new house. Your disproportionate body on funny big paws. How you went on them. How you ran, played, capered, studied and grow up. And you grew up into wonderful ginger cat, a friend, a kindred soul. You were a very civilized and well-mannered cat. Wise. You always met me when I came home. You checked all bags. You asked me for food. You waited for me to cook something delicious. And then you went to my laps and rumbled loudly. And I stroked your beautiful ginger fur. And you blinked with pleasure and warmth. I will never forget our games like hide'n'seek. How you liked to hide from me on the closet and then went to sleep there. Your favorite toys: the Lion and the Unicorn. How you sat on the window and watched the surrounding world and birds with your beautiful green eyes. Crocodile. You patiently waited for me back from the trips.

I remember your voice, which told me your mood, you spoke with me, and I understood you, I knew what you wanted, understood what you wanted to tell me. You endured all adversity steadfastly. You were strong and at the same time very gentle and vulnerable. We were together and we were very happy. 11 happy years with you. You were close in sorrow and in joy, in moments of serious life changes and during other ordinary days. What ever happened with me, only you were invariably always close to me all these long 11 years. I have not enough words to express my gratitude and love to you, Marcus. So I hoped that you and me will have many many more changes, adventures, events, happiness and love. You've never be ill. And we went to the pet clinic only for vaccinations. I wished your cat century to be as long as possible. But life, as always, has made its own adjustments.

In February 2017, I noticed that you are unwell. And like a lightning from the blue sky, I suddenly heard that terrible diagnosis, which sounded like a verdict: fibrosarcoma. And my life turned into a nightmare. I and all those people who loved you, who knew you, to whom you were not indifferent, and even those who were not personally acquainted with you - all of us were fighting for your life. We tried to help you in every way. We believed in doctors and wanted to save you. And if not cure, then at least prolong your life. And partly we were succeeded. Contrary to the doctor's predictions who predicted you to live just a month after the operation, you lived as long as 5 months. What for a cat is long enough. I admire your strength of spirit. You endured the disease with courage. Despite a serious and traumatic operation to remove the right hind paw together with part of the hip bone, you quickly recovered. You have suffered all the privations associated with the postoperative period. You learned to walk on three legs, and when there was a little improvement in your health condition, you even ran and jumped on three paws. When I saw sadness in your eyes, every time it was unbearably painful and I wanted to cry from the fact that I can't help you anymore. I tried to pamper you all the time with your favorite food. And when you had an appetite, you ated with pleasure. The fear for your health was permanently presented all these last months. And, unfortunately, the miracle didn't happen and the disease came again. You got worse. And the only thing I could do was promise you that you would not suffer. You were worthy to leave this world easily and without suffering. Last half a year you already suffered a lot.

And it was happened. On July 8th, 2017 you left this world. Although you continued to keep to fight for life until the last breath. You are a real fighter and a hero for me. I didn't say goodbye to you, 'cos you will always live in me, in my memory, in my heart. Marcus, my lovely kitten, together forever.