In Loving Memory
Simba “Big Guy” Salvation Platt November 8, 2008 — October 5, 2026
Simba Salvation Platt was born approximately November 8th, 2008, and after a long battle with chronic kidney disease, passed away peacefully in the arms of his parents on October 5th, 2026.
Not much is known about Simba’s early life, but in the spring of 2010 he was caught by officers for trying to smuggle himself into an army vehicle. No harm was done and he was released, only to immediately get himself into trouble again for breaking and entering the army’s North East THQ facility. He snuck through the open loading dock doors and right past several officers of The Salvation Army! Once inside, the troublemaker wandered around the trade store until he was captured by the facilities crew and put on display by the cat-loving ladies of the Human Resources Department. It was there, on display, that he committed his next crime — stealing the hearts of his soon-to-be parents, Jason and Sarah Platt.
Outwardly, Simba was a handsome feline with a confident and broody persona, who could flip his charm on and off like a switch. Inwardly, however, it took some time for him to leave his previous life — presumably of crime — behind, and to fully relax in his new home. He was continually cautious and slow to trust, which turned his first fully restful nights into small victories and precious memories.
Despite Simba’s personal growth and progress, he did continue in his delinquencies from time to time by being a bread thief, a fatcat mob boss, an expert human tripwire, and an accomplished ankle-bitter with a bite like a saltwater crocodile and the terrifying hiss of a caracal. And he never once lifted a finger to help around the house!
Yet he was a sweet, sweet boy who loved napping, cuddling if he was in the mood, walking on a leash, chasing greebles, hiding from his brother, stealing his mother’s sweaters, basking in the sun, and carrying his favorite toys with him all around the house. His favorite toys were often stuffed animals or fluffy, light-up snowballs from his grandmother, and a catnip-filled squirrel. However, his ultimate favorite toy was a stuffed hedgehog dog toy with a squeaker inside. Thankfully, he never learned to make noise with it, but he could be found carrying “Hedgie” around, sleeping next to it, and bringing it to his parents as part of his nighttime ritual to tuck them in. His parents will miss that the most.
Simba’s favorite activity, however, was “working” beside his father while nestled in a heated cat bed on Jason’s desk: often getting up to push on keys and type a dead language into Jason’s emails, reminding Jason with shrieks and fresh teeth marks when it was time to stop for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, elevensies, and afternoon tea, or walking in front of the screen at the optimal time to ensure Jason’s avatar would die a death most gruesome. And then, of course, curling up and snoring softly to remind Jason that his criminal days are in fact behind him… Mostly.
Simba is survived by his parents, Jason and Sarah Platt, his brother, Simon Edward Platt, and his cousins, Luna and Nova Platt (Owners Jeremy and Kerry); Molly and Alarka Platt (Owners Arthur and Jeana). He is also survived by his friends, Olivia Baldo (Owner Jessica), Dylan “Dilly Bean” Sussan-Fischer (Owners Herb and Karen), Sweet Girl (Owners Ervin and Tommy), and the Dread Pirate Roberts (Owner none, bandit-mask-wearing raccoons the size of ROUSes don’t have owners), as well as his tasty-looking neighbors, Bluey and Kiwi (Owners Rocky and Miri). Simba is also survived by many, many, many other human relatives and loved ones, but from the perspective of a cat, humans are, at least on paper, irrelevant.
In lieu of flowers, please consider adopting a pet from a rescue shelter. If pet ownership is not for you, please consider making a donation to a shelter, adoption agency, or local veterinarian clinic in need of financial support.
Special thanks to Dr. Ness and staff at the Airmont Animal Hospital who diligently cared for Simba since his criminal rehabilitation days, and to Dr. Shelagh McCaffrey and her crew at Senior Pet Vet for their kindness and compassion towards Simba and his family as they approached that dreaded rainbow bridge.
There will be no calling hours or funeral service, but Sarah is accepting visitors who bring her donuts in honor of Simba’s favorite character from the Dungeon Crawler Carl book series, Princess Donut, the Queen Anne Chonk.