Heaven gained the best little kitten in the world today

These are my girlfriend and I's two cats, Xena and Conan (left to right). The two of them were partners in crime, getting into anything and everything. We loved both of them very dearly.

This is the "family portrait" I happened to snag while we were watching a movie. It's still our favorite picture of the two of them.

Unfortunately today, Xena kept throwing up and was having problems breathing. We went to the emergency vet and took X-rays. Xena had a congenital defect where a blood vessel had wrapped around her esophagus and damaged it to an extent where she could no longer keep food down. My girlfriend and I made the hard decision today to ease her pain and let her go. I'm a grown man, and work in a medical lab with mice and have to put mice down on a regular basis. But Xena showed me that I could still care for an animal so small and precious, she showed me love even when she got caught in my dresser and got stuck. She showed me just how great a little kitten could be when we would play and fall asleep together on the couch.

I am so blessed to have had such a wonderful kitten, even if it was only for a short time. Xena, the warrior princess, the people's champion. Your Mom, Dad, and big brother Conan will miss you dearly sweetheart. We will remember you for the rest of our lives. Thanks for the many memories Xena, we will miss you very much!!