Jacopo Pontormo (aka "Tormo")

Eighteen years ago, when we gave our little tuxedo kitten the grand name of Jacopo Pontormo, we never dreamed we'd be taking him to Italy someday. Unlike his namesake, though, he has landed in Rome — Pontormo, like his mentor Andrea del Sarto, spent virtually his whole career in and around Florence.

Many of you have asked after Tormo: he's doing well. We found a veterinarian just a seven-minute walk down the street. Italian food seems to agree with him, and his bloodwork shows his kidney function has improved. Go figure.

He is as opinionated as ever and likes things to be his idea. (Kind of like his mom.) He's slowed down quite a bit, but he's pushing 90 in cat years — and given that, still pretty spry.

To all of you, he says: meow-a.