Column: Peaches

It was just about nine years ago when I first spotted "Peaches" walking near my home in Washington.

I had never been a cat person in my life, but I instantly felt for him as the little kitten followed his mother. I knew in a heartbeat that the life of a stray cat would not be a good one and I wanted to give him a better home and for nearly nine years I did just that.

Peaches instantly became an important part of my life as I learned the intricacies of cats. We soon were inseparable, and he would become my best friend always sleeping near my feet at night.

In the next few years, my life would t...