Drake Peters

Drake Peters died on October 23, 2025, in the loving arms of his favorite person, his mom, Buffy, surrounded by his dad and one of his favorite friends, Tara Schaefer.

Drake was born on August 24, 2013, and was at PetCo in Ames when Buffy first saw him as a 6-month-old kitten. She had lost her beloved cat Meowshine 6 weeks earlier and was not looking to adopt, but love up on kitties to help soothe her grieving heart. But Drake, who they said was a girl and named Tangerine, was different. She couldn't stop thinking about him, and the stars all aligned for him to join her family on her birthday, February 24, 2014. He was the best gift she could have ever received. He brought such a light into her life, and she is forever grateful for the love he so freely gave her when her heart was so freshly broken.

Drake was such a silly boy, so playful and even in his final days was playing with his mom's hoodie strings as she was snuggling with him. And he was the bestest boy, so sweet and cuddly. When you picked him up, he would just melt into your arms. He loved spending time with his mom in the bathroom as she got ready for work, hanging out with her when she would do work Zoom meetings from home (her Pet Loss Group and Death Cafe members know him well), or curling up on her lap or chest, always purring away. He was affectionately called sink cat as he loved being in the sink and preferred fresh running water from the faucet. He had to adjust when they brought home his brother, Bear, in June of 2018, and was none too happy to share his mom with him. His mom told him not to worry that he was still her favorite boy and just added cat to the end of the sentence. They eventually adjusted and would even both snuggle Mom at the same time.

Drake was such a healthy cat at 12 years old. His sudden health decline was a shock. Suddenly, his breathing was labored on a Tuesday, and in two short days, he was gone. There was nothing his mom wouldn't do for him, but she reassured him that she would always do what was best for him, even if it broke her heart. She wanted all the time she could have with him, and they deserved more time together, but in the end, she made the most loving choice to end his suffering, where he died peacefully in her arms. The last words he heard as he left this world were what a good boy he was and how loved he was.

Drake leaves behind his family: mom, Buffy Peters, dad, Chris Hanson, sister, Sugar (who loved picking on one another), and his brother, Bear. As well as other family members (like his cousins, Jett and Elin, who loved forcing him to snuggle when they stayed over), and many friends who were lucky enough to have him come down to say hi when they would come over.

Drake was welcomed at the Rainbow Bridge by many animal friends and family, but first in line was likely his mom's best friend, Sarah, and his mom's beloved first cat, Meowshine. We hope that they will love and comfort one another as they are missed terribly on earth.


I loved you best
So this is where we part, My Friend,
and you'll run on, around the bend,
gone from sight, but not from mind,
new pleasures there you'll surely find.

I will go on, I'll find the strength,
life measures quality, not its length.
One long embrace before you leave,
share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,
but they are they, and they aren't you.
And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,
will remember well all you've taught.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,
the fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.
And as you journey to your final rest,
take with you this...I loved you best.
By Jim Willis