About.com Cats Guide Franny Syufy just called me with some very sad news. Her beloved 18-year-old tabby Bubba passed away this afternoon after a brief illness. The loss was devastating to Franny and to her family.

If you're a regular visitor to http://cats.about.com, then you've probably read some of Franny's articles about bonding with Bubba, about Bubba's hyperthyroidism, or about how Franny used Feng Shui to help Bubba adjust to life indoors.

Bubba's story touched many users here at About.com, including me. Reading about Bubba's bond with the Syufy family inspired me to adopt two cats of my own.

If you're coping with the loss of a cat, you may find comfort in some of Franny's articles on the subject:

• Surviving the Loss of Your Beloved Cat
• Knowing When to Let Go
• The Quest for The Rainbow Bridge

~ Avram Piltch (About.com Managing Editor)