Tito
1997-March 1, 2006
Anyone who has owned a pet with as much personality and
sheer presence as Tito knows the joy, the excitement, and the wonder that he
daily inspired in his “mom,” Shelly, and I. For those who have never
experienced such pleasure, you likely have a serious character flaw. Check back
later or stop reading now and get some therapy. J
Tito was indeed one of those special, perhaps once in a
lifetime pets that unfortunately was taken away far too soon by cancer. But his
life was inspirational and eventful, and I hope you gain pleasure from reading
about Big T.
He was rescued from under a bush when just a few days old,
abandoned by his birth mother but soon to be adopted by his perfect mom. 
The
guys that found him fed him turkey pastrami, which would preface and/or cause
his lifelong attraction to food.
When he was first taken to the vet he peed in the car. He
hated the vet’s office. Of course at this point his name was not Tito since
Shelly mistakenly believed that he was a girl. To choose his name she had
randomly opened the Bible and blindly pointed to the name Nineveh that was
conveniently shortened to Nina. Upon bringing Nina to the vet to be spayed they
discovered (after shaving his belly) that he was indeed a he. On the spot Shelly
decided to name him Tito (after Tito Puente) and the legend of Tito B. was
born almost a full year after his actual birth.
Tito lived in three houses during his life. Two were pink
and one was yellow. He liked the yellow one (the last one) the best.
I named a company after this cat, so impressed was I with
his girth and name. www.bigtito.com
I witnessed this 22 lb cat stalk and kill at least three
birds that logic suggests should be able to escape a 22 lb cat. 
I did rescue a
bird from him one time so take that, bird lovers. Of course I only SAW
three…he probably got dozens. I remember haunting avian screeches in the
night. There were often days where mysterious plumes of feathers appeared in the
lawn, on the driveway, and on Tito’s muzzle.
Tito had a few nicknames including Teton, T-Tonimo, T-Bonimo,
Burrito, Big T, T-Boy, T-Buddy, a few unmentionables, and of course, T-Bone. T-Bone turned out
to be a nickname he shared with another friend of his, Trevor Aston. Trevor was
killed in Iraq on February 22, 2005, and just over a year later Tito, the second
T-Bone, went to keep him company. Trevor was one of Tito’s pals and I imagine
that right now they are together, lying in the tall grass. www.trevorsfootsteps.org
photo from March 2005
Tito was what I call a “man’s cat” because men that
usually dislike cats loved him. 
It could be that Tito behaved more like a dog
than a cat, or that Tito was “Big, yet quick” as our friend Doug so aptly
put it. Tito was always unafraid (well, usually) and definitely strong.
Tito’s favorite Winter Olympics sport was curling,
although he believed the entire thing to be a sham.
Tito was a kitty of the people, a blue-collar, Bruce
Springsteen type, bold and decisive yet whiny only every four years or so. Not
much for cats, Tito thrived on meeting different people in the neighborhood,
becoming their friend, and then eating whatever food might be left out for him,
or likely not for him.
We notified neighbors of his illness and several came by to
see him. So did many friends and family. Tito appreciated all the attention,
just as he always did.
Tito made numerous unscheduled appearances on the ACTV show “Movies On MoPac.” The show was filmed in his yard, was basically unedited, and he was the only guest allowed to jump onto the table. He would also frequently chase away large dogs that had wandered onto the set from an adjacent park. Seeing that cat chase off a Golden Retriever is something I will never forget.
Tito was always with Shelly and I as we worked in the yard,
or on my many projects. He would always approach, assess the situation, express
interest, sit down near, but not on, what we were doing, and then he would
stretch out a single long white front paw and touch the edge, or touch our arm
gently, just to let us know he was there for the duration.
Tito made it all the way through February, into March,
fittingly his last full
day was Fat Tuesday 
, and he passed away on Ash Wednesday which was the day
before Texas Independence Day. We went ahead and flew the Lone Star State flag for him on the
1st, since Tito was a great Texan.
Tito did not get along with his “sisters,” two indoor
Maine Coons, so he had unique access to his own private suite courtesy an old
school desk.
Tito's Window 38MB
Tito's Day 138 MB
He was my friend. He was my friend that I saw almost every
day for seven years. 
As I write this I feel lonelier but I know that will eventually pass
and the memories will make me happier and stronger. I will always miss him,
though.
It was very hard to say good-bye to such a pal. We sent him
off with some photos, notes, and Bluebonnets that were already blooming in the
front yard. There was also a small, specific shoot of grass, just a few blades
that peeked up from our gravel driveway, which Tito went out and chewed on every
day he could. What a life.
-Tito’s “dad,” Ryan
March 1, 2006 11PM
Shelly's favorite Tito photo