This is one of the photos Michael kept at his desk, and it always cracked me up how much Otus looked like he was telling 1984 Bill Clinton to bow down to him. As you should to any cat.
Image found on Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Readers of the print edition of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette will notice that there is no column from me on the Wednesday Voices page this week. After getting the news Monday that friend and colleague Michael Storey died Sunday, I just couldn’t make myself be snarky this time, so subbed in a guest writer.
For those who don’t know, Michael was our longtime TV writer/critic, as well as writer of a weekly feature on Arkansas trails and a satire column “written” by his dead cat. Otus was once living, but passed away long ago and gained the ability in cat heaven to dictate his thoughts to Owner (that’d be Michael).
Michael was one of the first people at the paper who welcomed me with open arms, and we soon figured out we had a lot in common—weird sense of humor, a love for the works of Joss Whedon, and cats (the best thing that came out of his first marriage was that he became a cat guy), among other things. On a visit to his house once with our writers’ group, he showed me a picture of him running the Pike’s Peak race, pointed to the guy in the picture running behind him, and told me that the guy died just after that was taken. I wrote a short story about it, I think. I need to dig that out.
I spent a lot of time back at Michael’s desk, except for the time I worked nights (he was an early bird). I have yet to go back there again.
Image found on Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Michael was one of the best people I’ve ever known (as is his lovely wife Celia), and could always be counted on to make me smile. I’ll miss his goofy smile and habit of planting himself where I could see just his eye between the curtain and window frame of my office to see if I’d notice I was being watched. If it were anyone else, it would be creepy. But Michael? No. What I wouldn’t give to hear a last, “And I’ll just tell you one more thing, and then I’ll let you go.”
Everybody could use a Michael in their lives.
In his honor, let’s look at some kitties. I know right now he’s cuddling with Otus and Mackie (who died around the same time as my boy, and was about the same age).
Yes, Michael had an Otus costume that he wore on public appearances for a time.
Image found on Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
I have to include one of my favorite pictures of my boy, may he rest in furry peace.
Not quite the usual cat reaction to a belly rub. I like it.
GIF found on Pinterest.
This is why cat shaming doesn’t work: They’re not ashamed. At. All.
Image found on DumpADay.
I did things I’m not proud of for this money. You can’t have any!
GIF found on giphy.
Susan, we need to talk.
Image found on imgur.
I could watch that tail all day.
GIF found on CAT-GIFs.
This was not what I meant when I said I like chicks. If I said I liked beer, would you put me on the Supreme Court?
Image found on Awesome Inventions.
Trade ya.
GIF found on Funny Cats Blog.
I had that sinking feeling.
Image found on Pinterest.
You woke me. Whhhhhhyyyyyyyyyy????
GIF found on We Heart It.
But if I were to do that, you’d fail miserably.
Image found on I Can Has Cheezburger.
Serenity is a fuzzy belly 
Sorry for your loss. Be well.
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Thank you. I’m grateful that Michael and Celia’s son was there and that he got to see his grandkids one more time.
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Speaking from experience, it is not easy to lose a friend whether or not it is expected or unexpected.
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I never get used to it. 😭
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I will miss the weekly Otus the Dead Cat columns and I did like reading Michael Storey’s annual reports of the new television programs from Hollywood.
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When I was a clerk, I fielded many calls from people who thought Otus was true. When someone called about the kids at Central wearing fish on their heads, I could barely contain myself. 😉
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My friends like to tease me and say that I am the one who is supposed to make all of the really fishy bad jokes about fish because I am the bass player.
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My oldest brother played lead, but he was a fishing guide at one point, so jokes. So. Many. Jokes. 😂
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I drove to the top of Pikes Peak in July 1995. Yes there is a dirt and gravel road which runs to the top of the mountain. Since the air is so thin, it took me a few minutes to adjust to breathing it. I remember that it was cold enough for there to be snow on the ground.
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Sometimes I think I want to go there. Then I remember my respiratory issues in the winter. 🌬
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My visit to Pikes Peak was the literal High Point of my trip to Colorado and I am glad I had the opportunity to do it despite the thin air at the top of the mountain.
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Did you say that after he was dead, Otus would dictate his thoughts to his “Owner”? I thought the relationship was the other way around with cats? I believe cats think of us as their servants and the cat is the “Owner”?
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Michael was referred to as Owner. It does indeed fly in the face of cat logic. But not too close, or the cat will grab it.
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