He had great presence and was very sociable. He would greet everyone who visited his home, usually by lifting his chin and speaking a chipper”Meow!” Never a sneak, he announced his presence whenever entering a room. He enjoyed company, and always joined the conversation when guests were in the living room. He was very protective of Joellyn, and for years slept right outside her bedroom door.

     Miguel had great dignity, and a lot of attitude, mostly good, but not always. His motto throughout his life was, “Just because I’m smaller than you doesn’t give you the right to take advantage of me.” He was not a lap cat, and resisted all efforts to groom him. The only exception was his allowing Joellyn to clean out the corner of his right eye, where he had a blocked tear duct. The last time he went to the vet, two people had to hold him down in order to trim his back claws.

     He was, however, very affectionate to those he liked. He purred very loudly, and licked Joellyn as if she were his kitten.
Through most of his life, Miguel enjoyed good health. Two years ago he had a nearly life-ending intestinal blockage, but, true to form, at the hospital he was labeled an escape risk. When he was discharged with a feeding tube, he started eating when he realized his hapless servant couldn’t get the feeding tube to work.

      Miguel enjoyed the outdoors for much of his life. His favorite outdoors trick was to “play possum” in the back parking area, alarming all who saw his inert body. He avoided snow at all costs, but he enjoyed sitting in the sun, whether inside or out.  Miguel enjoyed his diet of Purina Cat Chow and Whiskas Tender Bites. He liked to lick the bowl after Joellyn made tuna salad, and he also liked to lick plates of garlicky dishes.

     Arthritis was a problem for Miguel as he got older. He enjoyed sitting with Joellyn in her third-floor study, but when the climb got to be too much, he adjusted well to having his command post moved to a comfortable bed in the kitchen. Despite his aches and pains, he made his daily patrol of the house until the end of his life. 

    Like most males, Miguel also mellowed as he got older. In the last years of his life, he allowed Joellyn to pick him up and sit him on her lap while she drank her morning coffee, and he even seemed enjoy it, purring loudly. He also started the routine of sitting on the living room sofa next to Joellyn when she got home at night, and occasionally he even snuggled up to her.

     Miguel is survived by his devoted servant, Joellyn Ross; his half-brother, Felix age 19,  his housemate and arch-enemy, Eddie age 11 and alpha-cat-aspirant Oliver age 8. He also is survived by special friends Abram Engelman, Wandz Costanzo, and Kerni Hunter-Woodman.

     Miguel was cremated and his ashes are being kept by his devoted servant, Joellyn Ross.