RIP My boy

Buddy has been part of our lives since 1998. He arrived as a tiny kitten who walked across our living room floor. We have no idea where he came from or how he got there. When we tried to catch him he ran under our sideboard and stayed there for about a week. We used to slide a saucer with milk or food under the sideboard and you would just see this little pink tongue come out and lap it up. Even if we wanted to, we couldn't have got rid of him ... my father even got bitten trying to drag him out.
We named him Buddy because my mum and I were watching a movie about an orphaned gorilla named Buddy who was bought up by a woman when he arrived.
Even when he ventured out he remained very scared and half wild for quite a few years. He would dissappear for days on end, only coming back occasionally for food. He was also well known in our neighbourhood and had his regular food stops. As he became older he became my companion at night whilst I was on the computer. He would come and sit on the keyboard until I would give him extra food in desperation. After that he would sit next to me. Since I have been studying he has been my constant companion at exam time. As soon as the books came out he would settle himself down right on top of them, really it is a wonder I ever passed everything.
Over the last year he has slowly started to appear older and frailer. He was still able to roam around the neighbourhood visiting his friends (and getting food), but had become much slower and fragile looking. On Monday night I noticed a lump on his neck which had gone by yesterday. However last night his neck started oozing pus. We took him to the vet who diagnosed an abscess, but unfortunately, although they tried, he had to be put down. I really am going to miss him, but I guess that 15 is a ripe old age for a cat. Sleep well my old man.