Bob was my first cat. I only had two dogs growing up, so I was new to the cat scene.
My hubby and I were newly married. We moved down to New Mexico where he was stationed in Clovis at Cannon AFB. Anyway, one of his friends had found a kitten in his backyard...
I was lonely. I didn't know a soul down there, except Jim. I was only 23 and in a new state with no family or friends. So, we went and looked at this kitten.
Poor Bob was a sickly little kitten. The family had named him "Mr. Stubbs" for his tail. No way. Jim named him Bob for his tail. Basically, he had a stump for a tail. Anyway, of course, I fell in love and just had to take him home with us. I needed some companionship all day when Jim was on base.
Bob turned out to be REALLY sick. He was so young, and was found in a woodpile. He ended up having conjunctivitis, which he had throughout his life, a herpes virus in cats which eventually took his life, an upper respiratory infection, and diarrhea. We had no clue he was such a sick little fellow. I nursed him to health with the vet's help, of course.
He was a very strange mix. More than one vet said he was an "American Bobtail" cat. Some say a Manx, Himalayan or Seal point cat mated with a Bobcat. He was from New Mexico, so that is definitely possible. His legs were springy. He ran and hopped like a rabbit at times. He was definitely different. That's what made him BOB...
Bob was very unique. First, he liked my toes and feet for some reason, no one elses. He would hide under the bed as I was making it and attack my feet. He hadn't been declawed yet, and he had long teeth. So, needless to say, I was a bloody mess. You know, the really sick thing, I thought it was cute and funny. I just got used to it till he grew out of it and we had him declawed. The other thing he did to me was he tried to trip me to get my attention. That was his way to say, "Hey Mom" I'm hungry. He'd stick his paw right in my way as I was walking. I actually miss that, too.
Bob wouldn't eat anything but meat. He didn't like sweet things. Meat was his thing. Beef was his #1 preference, chicken 2nd. That's why I do believe he was part Bobcat. They do the same thing...
We moved back to Indiana a couple years later after Jim was out of the USAF. Bob made the journey with us, along with Kitty, who I will make a memorial for later, and our dog named Rex. They didn't really hit it off, but they put up with one other for "Easy Street" Jim said. Who wouldn't want to be a pet in your house? You spoil them. Why not? Animals deserve our love, too...
Bob had the herpes virus his whole life. He actually broke out under his chin and I had to use Sea Breeze antiseptic on him. He wasn't pleased. The vets were amazed at his life span. I knew he was a very strong, determined cat. He had his own way to do things and voice his opinion when denied.
Bob adjusted to the several pets we had and still have. Only one cat "Jake" is still around. He is 18 now.
Bob, near the end, was losing a lot of weight and for some reason was spending a lot of time in the bathtub. I think he felt safe in there. He didn't want any water. I had to take him to the vet several times for IV's of fluids. I knew the end was near. It was just so hard. We had been through a lot together...
So, on the very last day of Bob's life, I decided to let him have or do anything he wanted. I put him out on the back deck to lay in the sunshine. He loved the sun. I would lay with him, talking to him and petting him. I had to run inside for a minute, and when I came out, I heard him MEOW really loud. A bumble bee had stung him and he fell down the steps of our deck.
I was horrified! I yelled for Jim to come out. By some miracle Bob was alive, but barely. I believe he died on the way to the vet. Our regular vet was closed, so we had to drive almost 20 miles away for help. It was awful.
When we got there, we told them...The vet gave him the shot. I was with him, petting him as she administered it. I think he was already gone before she gave it to him. I had to make sure, so I told her to do it anyway. So, we brought him home and buried him in our backyard.
I miss throwing wadded up pieces of paper to him. He was like a dog. He retrieved it and I would throw it. He actually gave it to me like a dog. He also liked toilet paper. He unraveled and ripped and bit through several rolls when he was younger. Thank God he grew out of that.
I'm so glad Bob came into our lives. My brother, who hates cats, labeled him as the "coolest cat ever". When Bob died, he said the coolness had left our house. I certainly miss my bobcat...

I Love You, Bob!!!!!!!