Your death came completely unexpected, and I was glad I could be there and hold you so you could feel my love for you in your final moments in my life.  Thelma wasn't what you expect for a Tortoiseshell because they almost exclusively in female but very rarely (approximately 1 in 3,000) a male tortoiseshell is born and that was Thelma.  By the time I knew she was a he, the name was already in place and he knew it.  He was my little buddy, always met me at the door when I came home, came whenever I called him and slept beside me each night.  His absence is and will be deeply missed.  Thelma is survived by his litter mate Darla and Skye (border collie) who joined our family last year.  Thelma has joined Champ (my 15 year old border collie that died August 2011) and they will play and snuggle as they once did.  I miss you Thelma and love you very much, our time was not long enough (3 years) but I made it the best possible with lots of love just as you gave me.  You won’t be forgotten and I will meet you again my little buddy at rainbow bridge.