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Byng was born sometime in August 1986, but I don't know anything about her life before I adopted her in November of that year. I "assigned" her the birthday of August 11th because that was a likely date, and there was an Islander born on that date. (I am a mildly rabid Isles fan).

I had gone out to adopt a female cat because Goalie, then nearly 1-and-a-half years old, was becoming overweight and depressed because Grimsby (whom she idolized as a big brother) was sent to the Bridge in July of that year due to his losing fight with both CRF and diabetes. I was determined to get another female because Grimsby had required major surgery for FUS and I wasn't up to having to deal with the emergencies that can happen with a male cat getting obstructed.

Byng was living at the Bide-A-Wee shelter in Manhattan. I wasn't looking for a calico, but she made me notice her and seemed to be determined that I end up taking her home.

Byng immediately established herself as the pace-setter in the household. Goalie was not exactly taken with this snerty little kitten, and the situation was not helped by the fact that back then I didn't know about the gradual introduction needed (to add a new cat).

Cats coexisted, with fights, for many years. They have started to be closer emotionally -- except for a period after vet visits.

Byng is 16 now, and has slowed down a lot recently. That is mainly due to her health problems (mostly the kidney trouble). However, she is still a bundle of 'Tude when she wants to be.