A little bit ago my dad and stepmom let me know our family cat, Shadow, died this morning. He was almost 18 years old. My dad found him when he was only a few weeks old huddling underneath his car's engine for warmth in the winter. He brought him home and Shadow never forgot it. Even when dad tried to rehome him a few years ago Shadow 'escaped' and found his way back home. Dad figured a cat who wanted to be with us that bad was worth keeping around. Shadow even learned to go to the bathroom outside like a dog (I think because he knew dad hated the litter box smell in the house.)
Dad told me they found him in the yard this morning with our German shepherd, K.D., guarding his body. She was protecting him and wouldn't let anyone near him, not even the other dogs. Shadow was always 'her kitty'.
I'm really going to miss him.