Sam, our Sailing Kitty, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 14th. He was 15 years old. Sam was a beloved companion and crew. A world-traveler, a purr monster, a lap cat, a good kitty, our friend, and dearly loved, Sam will be greatly missed.

Eight bells* for Sam, our little friend. You’ll always be in our hearts.

My sweet kitty.

This is the first time Sam felt adventurous enough to leave the cabin.

My little friend.

Sam relaxing in the cockpit during a passage

Good friends.

Sam’s seasick. 🙁

Sam just loves going upwind.

Basking in the sun.

Mmmm, food!

What’s that, little buddy?

Where’s all the water?

Scott and Sam in conversation

Blep. We’re guessing he could smell that we were with other cats.

Napping on Scott.

Meow!

*The practice of using bells stems from the days of the sailing ships. Sailors couldn’t afford to have their own time pieces and relied on the ship’s bells to tell time. The ship’s boy kept time by using a half-hour glass. Each time the sand ran out, he would turn the glass over and ring the appropriate number of bells. Each ship “watch” is four hours, or eight bells, in length.

The tradition of Eight Bells pays respect to deceased mariners and signifies that a sailor’s “watch” is over. Source