Tuesday morning at Anaeho’omalu Bay—it was quiet—a few walkers and the canoe club preparing to launch.

A-Bay Beach

Behind the beach several cats, the A-Bay kitties, were sunning themselves on the lava.

Dave and one of the A-Bay cats

Although I hadn’t visited in more than two years, a few looked familiar.  But there was one in particular I was looking for—Red, the one-eyed cat I wrote about in 2013.  Now known as Popeye, he’s a favorite of volunteers and visitors, one of the oldest cats in the colony.  Dawn of A-Bay Kitties (the nonprofit that takes care of the cats) says he’s about thirteen or fourteen and has mellowed in the last year or so.

I found him snoozing on a lava rock.  And sure enough, he let me take his picture and scratch his ears.

Red aka Popeye 3/6/18

Two days later, back on the Mainland I received a text from Dawn.  Red had been found dead by a visitor.   It was unexpected, but it appeared he died peacefully in his sleep, no sign of any injuries.  He was laid to rest nearby.

I’ll miss Red.  He represents all that is good in us.  From Charlotte and Dawn who captured the feisty tabby and took him to the vet when he was sick or injured to the many volunteers who made sure he always had food and water to the visitors from around the world who stopped by to check on Popeye and leave donations for the kibble fund.  Red had a good, long life and was well-loved.