Sam was diagnosed with diabetes in 2018 which we managed with insulin 2x/day & I learned to check his blood sugars at home, he beat FIP in 2021 & then got cancer on his nose later that year. In July 2022 he developed respiratory issues, we tried to treat it with steroids but this caused his blood sugars to go up & didn't improve his symptoms. I moved downstairs when Sam didn't come up to sleep with me anymore & I stayed up at night worrying, I waited for a "sign" that it was the right time to let go & Sam was sleeping more but he never seemed unhappy. In the end we had to decide when the risks of you suddenly suffering & our ability to manage it at home outweighed the quality of life & time we thought you had left, I had to keep the promises I had made to you which I did ~ that you would be at home, that we would stay right by your side & that we would not let you suffer.

Sam was shy but very loving & affectionate with us, he loved playing with his catnip fish & strings, tuna, turkey, being outside in the sunshine & exploring, lizards. His favorite place to sit was Marshall's lap & he slept in bed with me almost every night, he would wake me up in the morning because he was excited for the new day to begin.

Since I was very young I was always drawn to & felt connected to animals, especially cats. I've had many cats throughout my life but never felt a bond quite like this, we will miss you & love you forever Sam.