Photo taken by Helmi Flick on July 11, 2009

Aksum Smoke on the Water (Smoky) was a ruddy carrying chocolate and dilute, the only one in the world!

Photo taken by Helmi Flick on July 11, 2009

Aksum Smoke on the Water

Smoky was a special little boy who we kept from Candy's first litter. We planned for him to contribute his sweet calm personality and exceptional color genetics to the Abyssinian breed. Everybody loved him who met him, felines and human alike, even people who didn't like cats.

Smoky was born on February 24, 2009 and was Dancer's littermate.

I am very sad to say that Smoky died December 8, 2009 of neurological dry FIP, a notoriously difficult disease to diagnose, after a month of vet visits, testing, and round-the-clock loving, supportive care by my bedside with a warming lamp or in my bed with me.

Unfortunately, FIP does not have a diagnostic test or a cure. Please support SOCKFIP in helping researchers find a diagnostic test, and hopefully also a genetic test and/or a cure for FIP.

Photo taken by Helmi Flick on July 11, 2009

Smoky made his show debut at the Southeast Regional show July 11-12, 2009 with Dancer and Temur.

Judge trainee Toni Scarboro was having a lot of fun watching Smoky climb up the scratching pole at the judge's table!

After she took him down, she put the 5th Best Allbreed Kitten ribbon on his cage on behalf of TICA judge Barbara Ray, in whose ring she was training.