Louis came into my life 17 years ago when my dog, Elmo, found this small ball of gray fur underneath the stairs to the garden. I knew he might be a ferrel kitten so I put on gloves before reaching in to get him. He was scared but calm and was purring as I was handling him. He was also full of fleas. I brought him in the house and gave him a warm bath. My husband arrived home just as I was toweling the kitten off. When I put him down he looked scrawny and bow legged and my husband thought he looked like a cowboy. We named him Louie L'amour after the western writer. Louie was nothing but purrs and full of affection. He became good friends with Elmo. When Elmo passed away I got another dog, Fritz. Louie really loved Fritz and always wanted to be near him. The whole family enjoyed playing with Louie. He was very vocal when he wanted something, like water from the faucet in the bathroom sink or when he wanted his meals. His meowing became my alarm clock around 6 am every morning when he wanted his breakfast. Louie was my crying pillow when my husband died 15 years ago and has been a great support through many ups and downs as family life goes. I will dearly miss this little friend as will the rest of the family.