Racine

April 2003 - May 21, 2004

This is a story I did not want to have to tell; at least not for a long time.
When we found Racine (or may be he found us) on the towpath in Agde we went to a Vet to check out if he was healthy. Unfortunately he was diagnosed as being a carrier of the feline leukemia virus. Kittens sometimes can be carriers, but after a while the virus disappears. Many cats can live a long and healthy life even being a carrier of the virus.
Last winter we tested Racine again. The Vet told us that he could not say he was testing negative, but the test results were very borderline. So we hoped that the illness would never break out.
A few weeks ago we noticed Racine being slightly anemic and we made an appointment to visit the Vet. Unfortunately our fears were confirmed; the virus had started to attack his immune-system.
We tried with new medication and when Racine got weaker Betty started to force feed him; hoping the medication would start to improve his condition.
On May 21 we had to admit that we lost the fight and had to bring Racine to the Vet.
Racine was unfortunately less than a year with us; but what a year we had.

	June 27, 2003: Racine finds AvantiB
	Find the cat!
	Later (with a few pounds more) he didn't fit under the stove so slept on it.
	Who says cats are not inventive? The sink as natural airconditioning.
	Cat in the box seemed to be one of his favorite games.
	This is a special story; when Marc and Shari visited last year there was a constant fight over the blue pillow. Guess who immediately took control over it when Marc just got up for one second?
	Probably his favorite spot on AvantiB - the stairs to the wheelhouse. Racine knew that he was not allowed in the wheelhouse while driving (unless he had his leash on). So as soon as I started the engine he went up the stairs and started to sleep. Since his food and treats were stored under the steps it was also his favorite place to wait for breakfast or dinner.
	Just to make sure all was under control Racine spent every possible minute in the wheelhouse.
	Another special place - he found out that sitting on top of the TV allowed him to see out of the window while we were driving.
	Racine 4 months old.
	Play - play - play! I think he thought everything in life was there to play with. The steering wheel sometimes became his personal ferries-wheel.
	What is under the steps? As every cat she be he was very curious; but still prudent enough to not get into (too much) trouble.
	That must be a special cat channel. Racine seemed to have a special gift of just observing. Once we had a repairman for our dishwasher visit. Racine just sat there - patiently for 30 minutes and quietly observed.
	Do not disturb us taking pictures - we are working on the web site.
	His hangout on deck in the middle of all the herbs. Sometimes he smelled like a good marinade when he moved from Rosemary to Parsley to Oregano ....
	All mine! Well not quite, but nice try Racine!
	Racine's 'bully' phase - the weeks before being castrated he knew that he was a young male and needed to prove it! The toy (a bee) had no wings and one antenna ripped out after just a few minutes rough play. I guess it is clear now why we sometimes call him an `upside-down' cat. Anything to get a tummy-rub.
	If nobody played with him he found his own toys: Here the cord to light the lamp in the shower.
	Flying Racine! He is jumping after his favorite toy - the once 8 legged spider (we retired the toy after no legs were left). His eyes - focused on the toy like a tennis-pro focuses on the tennis-ball.
	We had a gift to make friends with everybody and make everybody laugh.
	Racine shows taste lying on a Persian carpet!
	Racine end of April 2004. He enjoys a walk on the leash on the side of the Rhone-Rhine Canal. We will miss him!