Here is a picture of Chessie in later years....
Later, when Smidgen and Chessie came to blows... or rather Smidgen was so mean to Chessie, we let him go live with my mother where he was able to be indoors and loved always. She spoiled him immensely.
Chessie was carried around on a satin pillow..literally at times! lol. He was such a sweet cat. Unfortunately, Chessie passed away after some health issues on October 31st, 2009 at the age of nearly eighteen years old. He lived a long life, but it's never long enough with the ones we love. {His obituary is at the end of this post for those who would like to read it.}
When we decided Chessie was lonely we started thinking about adding another cat to our family. But 1993 had been a bad year for our family. We lost my Daddy in April of that year. We were having such a tough time of it when the end of the school year came at the end of May that I promised Jordan we would go to the Humane Society after school the last day and adopt a cat.
I was there to pick him up that day. Jordan and his best friend, Eric Hamilton came out of the school. Eric was adamant that his mother {Michele} had a cat for us. I thought he was trying to give up his cat Chewy, so I initially resisted. But he was very insistent.
Since they lived less than a block away, I went over to the house and sure enough, Michele had the tiniest kitten I'd ever seen. Smidgen was maybe two weeks old. I couldn't believe how little bitty he was. I told her we couldn't take him. I was SURE he wouldn't survive and I didn't feel like our family could handle that right then since we were still reeling from losing Daddy.
She said he'd be taken back to the horse stable where she'd found him and his mother {deceased} wedged between two brick walls full of concrete. The odds were extremely high that he would die w/out his mother. But they were going out of town and couldn't keep him.
So, against my better judgement I agreed to take him. I figured at least when he died it would be in a warm place surrounded by love. I called the vet and went over what I needed to get / do in order to care for him.
He stole our hearts away the instant we saw him, but still we worried. We took him {and his 'diaper bag'} everywhere we went. He had to be fed every two hours. The first night I called work and told my boss that I either needed to call in or bring my cat to work. After hearing my story {and laughing at me}, he told me to bring my cat. For a few weeks, until he graduated to longer times between feedings, Smidgie went w/me to work every night. He was too small to get out of his little basket.
Smidgie pleasantly surprised us. He began to grow and thrive. We were so relieved when he got old enough to be weaned. Though he felt he should still have a bottle. lol.. It was more difficult to wean Smidge than it was to wean Jordan! He'd eat a half a can of food in one sitting and then run to me and cry for a bottle. But he was biting the end off of the nipples and I was afraid he'd choke on the tips. So I cut him off. lol.
Chessie was glad to have a little brother. Initially. However, when Smidge was a couple of years old, one night he went ballistic. I had let a stray into the kitchen while I was folding clothes. I had already put him back outside when I went to put away the clothes. When I came back into the kitchen, Smidgen was looking under the table acting very strange. I had never seen him the least bit aggressive so I had no idea what was happening. He had smelled the other cat and since he couldn't find him, he had gone after his buddy Chessie. Prior to this night, they were best buddies. They snuggled up together, etc. But all that was gone from his head, there was nothing but anger and aggression on this night. I leaned down to see what was going on. That was my mistake. Smidgen was attached to my arm in an instant, teeth and claws digging in. I was horrified. It took a minute to get him peeled off of my arm/hand. I was bleeding all over. Allen thought I'd stabbed myself w/a knife since I'd gone back in to start dinner.
It took several stitches and a lot of clean up. I couldn't believe our own cat had done this. The vet said to have him neutered, that it would stop his aggression / territorialness. So after spending ten days in quarantine, he was neutered.
But that didn't slow Smidge down any. He was still going after Chessie every chance he got, cornering him or trapping him under the bed. I felt terrible for Chessie, plus I was actually afraid of Smidge. After what he'd done, I didn't really trust him.
It was w/good reason. A year or so later, Mom took Chessie to live w/her because we'd had to make him a solely outside cat to keep him and Smidge apart. She felt sorry for him {we did too, it broke my heart when he wanted inside and I had to tell him no.} so we let him go live w/her where he'd be safe. It was a difficult moment, but it was the right thing to do for Chessie.
After she got him settled w/her, Mom got some new furniture. But it didn't really fit into the small patio home she'd bought. So, it was agreed she'd order new furniture and we'd take what she'd already gotten after the new was delivered.
When we took the original furniture, Smidgen immediately smelled Chessie on it. He was behind the sofa and Allen thought he was scratching the grandfather's clock. Allen reached around to make Smidge stop, and Smidge did stop what he was doing. He went from what ever he was doing to attacking Allen. He didn't quite get him as bad as he had me, but only because he was in a bad position to do so. Still it was bad enough that we were on our way back to the ER.
I was sure that they would make us put him to sleep since this was the second time he was reported. I called Animal Control and they refused to let me be w/him when they euthanized him. So I called our vet and asked if he would let me hold him. Thank God we had an amazing and understanding vet. He said there was no need to euthanize him, bring Smidge to him as soon as he'd finished this quarantine time.
Although we are COMPLETELY and TOTALLY against declawing cats, it was our only options with Smidgen. He couldn't be trusted any longer. Jordan was still young and there were often other children in our home. And to be honest, frankly I was afraid of him. So, reluctantly, we agreed to have him declawed, front and back. Although he still had teeth of course, after the claws were gone we were no longer afraid of him. He still tried to intimidate and frighten, but it no longer worked. So eventually he mellowed out and became our little old curmudgeon.
An adult Smidgen....
Smidgen was our baby cat, the one who really started it all. He turned Allen into a cat person. Allen and Smidge were buddies. He always sat with Allen during card games.
Smidgen and I had a deal. Neither of us would die until we could go together. And I planned a LONG life. I just knew Smidgie would be one of those cats that lived well into their thirties. It never entered my mind otherwise. I did begin to watch him more closely as he aged, but losing him never really truly occurred to me. However in May of 2011 he was diagnosed with early kidney failure. By the end of August he'd lost more than pound {weight he could NOT afford to lose at that point} and he was in congestive heart failure. On August 31, 2011 we took him to the vet for what we thought would be a check up and .probably some medicine. But it ended up being our baby's last day. He was more than eighteen years old.0 The decision was made to put him to sleep so he wouldn't suffer. He was struggling to breathe and we were told it would only get worse, that they gave him a couple of days at most. In retrospect I wish I'd gotten a second opinion, but hindsight is always 20/20. The moment he laid his little head down for the last time was one of the worst moment's of my life. I've been told the decision was the right one, but I doubt the guilt will ever fully go away. Our family took a severe hit with the loss of our baby cat.
Rest in peace, our sweet little Smidgen. We love you!
A few years after Chessie went to live with mom, Smidgen and I were home one day and I heard a cat crying. Naturally I assumed it was him so I went looking for him. Apparently he'd heard it and assumed it was me because he was looking for me. lol. Once we'd ruled each other out, I went outside to see where it was coming from.
Walking beside the house was this adorable little black cat. She was just crying and crying. I went over to her and she just let me pick her right up. I didn't know where she'd come from. We watched for her and fed her for a few days before we realized she was living in the crawl space under our house. I would sit outside and rock her all cuddled up in my arms. When the weather started getting chilly I couldn't leave her outside. It was breaking my heart to think of her cold. So, we told Smidgen he was going to have to suck it up and accept a sister. She came inside to live with us. Never did she ever act like she wanted to go back outside. It took a few days for Smidgen to agree to her living w/us, mostly because she still hadn't stopped talking, lol.
Ouiji is quite the talker. She and Smidgen became very close. She likes to be in the room where her people are, but she's not as much a snuggler as she used to be outside. She wants to be up close, but not held. When we moved to our new house, she had a very difficult time making the adjustment. For about four months, she wandered the house acting lost. If anyone came to visit, she hid. I felt bad for her, but she eventually decided the new home was safe and preferable to the old, smaller house.
Of all the cats I've ever known, Ouiji is the talker of the bunch. She talks as much as a Siamese I'd say. Although I've never lived with a one. Ouiji's always been petite, she has such a tiny little head, tiny little face. She is just so easy to love. And recently she's become addicted to tea. I don't know if that's bad for her or not. She's right there any time I pour myself a glass of tea. Allen says she needs a patch, lol.
Miss Ouiji checking out one of the cat trees.....
The two of them became good friends and were content to have the house to themselves.
However, it wasn't to be. The Posey County Humane Society had a building that was just one block from the ambulance station where I was stationed. Every shift or so I'd stop in and visit the cats. It was a tiny place, truly not enough room, but they were a no kill shelter so I felt comfortable getting close to the cats. There was one cat in particular that stole my heart. They had named him 'Red'. I kept promising him that I'd get him out of there soon, that I'd find him a home. I'd already found homes for a couple of others before I met him.
Then time ran out... the shelter was closing down. They were shutting the doors until a larger, cleaner building could be built. {It would eventually take YEARS before the new shelter would be in place and it's still very small} All the animals had to be fostered, or adopted by a certain date. Any remaining animals would be sent to the adjoining county's Humane Society which wasn't no kill by any means. I knew I had to get Red out of there! I tried to adopt him myself, but the Director, Phyllis wouldn't let me because our landlord said no. {Like that ever stopped me from doing anything!} I tried to get others to adopt him, but no one would. I tried to get my mom to adopt him and then I'd take him, but she refused. {Yeah, I still haven't forgiven that, but that's another story}. Eventually my son saw his picture and he, along with his girlfriend decided to adopt Red.
Then it got complicated again. They lived in Lexington, Ky. We were in Mt. Vernon Indiana. Phyllis wouldn't let me fill out the paperwork and sign Jordan's name. So, it took a little creativity, a little back door workings and a very sweet woman named Annie Boyles to get Red free and safe.
I took the paperwork back to the station while Phyllis was out. I filled it all in. {I sign Jordan's name as well as he does} and faxed from my quarters to dispatch. Then I took it back like I'd faxed it from here to Lexington. Annie quickly filled out the paperwork on her end and we were out of there before Phyllis could get back.
Red, who was renamed immediately upon his arrival in Lexington loved the drive down. His new name: Rondo. He was named after Rajon Rondo, a UK basketball player that my son had a class with, and thought highly of. {He now plays for the Boston Celtics} I loved Rondo with all my heart.
A few weeks after Rondo moved down, Jordan broke up with his girlfriend. She was living in an off campus apartment while Jordan lived in on campus housing, so she had Rondo. One weekend while Allen and I were down visiting, she called and told Jordan to "come get your cat, he has to go now!". I'm pretty sure she did it because she knew we were there and she hoped when Jordan and I came to get the cat, I'd talk him into working things out. Well, it didn't happen that way. The roommate let us in and we took Rondo.
Rondo was back in Indiana! I was so thrilled to have him home with me. I cannot tell you how much this little guy meant to me.
Rondo on a big adventure.....
Rondo was my snuggle buddy at night. We'd cuddle up and sleep holding hands. He loved to sit on the porch with us {in our arms} and people watch.
However, Rondo had one REALLY bad habit: he would run out the door every chance he got. Usually he would stop in the front yard and nibble grass so you could catch him. But on June 12th, 2010 he ran out and headed for the back yard. I believe he was startled by some raccoons. There was no getting him back in the house. We tried for weeks to find him and bring him home. The entire neighborhood was looking for him. But he is still gone. I miss him terribly. Though Allen and Jordan are certain he's met a horrible fate, I won't give up on him. I still believe in my heart that one day he will turn up on our doorstep, happy to be home.
When we moved from our old house to the new house, the dynamics of the cats changed. Before, Smidgen never let Rondo near him. He hissed and spit and chased him back up onto the furniture. Rondo's poor little feet rarely touched the floor. At the new house, I made sure to let Rondo out of his carrier before the other two to give him an opportunity to check things out for a little bit. Shortly after I let Smidge and Ouiji out. I suppose Smidge didn't consider it all his territory after that. Things changed. They didn't fight like at the old house, but Rondo was still the odd man out. We decided he needed a buddy!
In order to fully appreciate that, you have to know my husband. First, he did NOT come from a animal background. They never had pets and CERTAINLY not pets in the house! He wasn't too sure about having cats around all the time. However, in all fairness I did warn him before we were married.... If you are going to be married to me, there WILL be cats. If not, then do NOT marry me because it won't last! Not long after we were married, I drug home a cat I found in a dumpster. Her name was Punkin. She was a very odd cat. She would NOT stay in the house. But she would knock at the door to come in and use the litter box. We were living in an apartment where cats weren't allowed so this seemed to be a compromise. We eventually found her a wonderful home w/a good friend where she lived to a ripe old age. We did that because I was pregnant and did not know that cats can be handled safely {by Allen} during a pregnancy. I would never do that now.
But we have had a few fights over cats over the years... some got a trifle ugly, lol. But it's more than twenty-nine years since we say "I do" and we're still together so I suppose we got past that.
Second... Allen was pretty good with the first four cats. Not crazy about it mind you, but ok. But as the years wore on and we got up to seven, then eight and then nine cats, Allen wasn't as happy about it. Several times I heard the words, "Dammit Renee, you can't save every one of them!!!" A friend of mine thinks that so funny. That comment pretty much starts out every mention of a cat needing a home from number five until about number seven or eight of the ones who actually live with us and many more that I ended up placing elsewhere that stayed a day or two with us. {or went straight to their new home}.
Eventually he was the one saying "Just bring the cat over here, we know we're taking it." {Titan} and "Sure, we'll take her." {Wrigley} So he has truly evolved over the years. He's become a cat person far more than he'd ever admit. I will say that when number five came on board, I wondered if we were sane, but after two or three, you really don't notice the numbers like you think you would. Nine doesn't seem strange at all to me now. lol.
Back to the history lesson.... Andy is completely a Momma's boy. He is a Ragamuffin. His fur is SO soft. It's amazing. You just want to bury your face in it. He keeps pretty much to himself. He's always on the bed. I tell people that I have to go turn him now and then to prevent bed sores, lol. But he is content there. Whether he is downstairs or up in the bedroom, any time I sit where he can get to me, he is right there. As close as he can possibly get, usually half in my lap. I love that. I love scrunching him up in my arms. He's become my snuggle buddy since Rondo left.
The day we were picking Andy up, there was a black cat there just being SO lovey you couldn't ignore him. He was precious! After leaving I worried and worried about him. VHS is not a no kill shelter. Jordan and I were leaving within a few days to make an epic journey to Canada and down the east coast. Allen was supposed to be checking on this cat, Bistat, while we were gone. Only after we got back did we realize he wasn't doing that at all.
Terrified, I called VHS on our return. Luckily Bistat was still safe. I told them we were going the next day to Lexington and we'd pick Bistat up the following day. The next evening I received a frantic call. They were taking Bistat down to be euthanized. I told them we were out of town, but would be there at 8am the next morning if they would wait! Fortunately they agreed.
By 7:30 the next morning we were at the door waiting for him. Allen wasn't too up on taking another cat. {I'm pretty sure this was one of the "dammit Renee" adoptions, lol}... But we had agreed that we would take care of the cat while Jordan was temporarily in Seattle for the next few months and then he'd take him back to Lexington with him for a final year at UK.
Our sweet Bistat:
Surprisingly, as friendly and outgoing as he was the day I was in the room getting Andy, Bistat was totally different at home. When Jordan wasn't around he hid in the master closet. If you wanted to love on him, you had to go there to get him out.
But when Jordan moved back home after school {or visited}, Bistat was his little shadow. Everywhere that Jordan went, Bistat was right there. They became best buddies. When Jordan moved back home to the apartment part downstairs part of our house, Bistat became his roommate. The only time we saw Bistat was if Jordan came upstairs to play cards, eat or whatever.
Unfortunately time was limited for these two. We had no idea that Bistat wasn't to be with us for long. There are still feelings of confusion and loss over his death.
It's a habit to do a constant head count when we walk in a room. And Allen and I had done that every time I'm sure. Jordan came home from work and we were all in the living room talking. As usual the head count started.... Jordan asked who was under the coffee table, we could only see a black foot. Allen slid the coffee table back and I could see the stunned look on his face... "Renee, this cat is dead!". Of course I didn't believe him at first. But one look convinced me otherwise. Apparently he'd had a heart attack while sleeping. He looked like he had just laid down for a nap and never woke up. Jordan was heartbroken. We all loved and missed Bistat, but it was hardest on Jordan. They had become inseparable. Now Bistat was gone. Bistat, Chessie and Smidgen are all buried in the memorial garden in the backyard.
Before the loss of Bistat we'd added three other cats... Mickey, Arena, and Memphis. Mickey was supposed to be a foster. I'd always resisted becoming a foster parent because I know how I am.{more to the point, Allen knew how I was, lol} I couldn't imagine giving up a cat that had been living in our home. Let me explain it the best I can... when a cat comes into our home... even for a few hours, I feel like a traitor taking it somewhere else. I feel like the cat knows it has a home here and then I just give it away. Especially when all the others get to stay. How heartbreaking is that? I just can't do it.
Mickey is our juvenile delinquent, lol. He just seems like the little boy with a backpack thrown over his shoulder and carrying a skateboard. He's brought unlimited joy to our lives.
Mickey now...
About a year after Mickey settled into our family everyone kept seeing a little cat ducking into Sharon's garage next door. {That's my cousin} She kept telling me I had to do something about that cat, but I never saw it. Finally one day I caught a glimpse of her. She was SO cute. Orange and white. A little fragile looking kitty. That night I had picked Allen up from the club after some event and let's just say he was inebriated. While we were sitting on the front porch before going in, this little cat comes up to me. She just let me pick her up. I told Allen to go grab her something to eat. While he was gone I noticed she'd been declawed. When Allen returned I mentioned that fact. Allen said, "well we can't let her stay outside then!" I quickly called Jordan up from downstairs and gave him the new cat before Allen could change his mind.
Arena surveying her domain.....
When I took the cat home, I explained that she could not be allowed out since she was declawed. The woman said it was alright. She told me the cat had bathroom issues, she wouldn't use the litter box. But she'd been using it fine at our house!
I was reluctant to leave the cat w/her since she didn't seem to care, but I told her firmly, "If she turns up back at our house, you won't be getting her back!"
Two weeks later, Arena was back on our porch. I told the guys she was back. They didn't want to even tell the woman we had her, but I knew we had too. Just to change the microchip if nothing else. I went down {five days later} and told her we had her cat and wasn't giving her back. I just wanted her to sign over her microchip. The woman couldn't have cared less. Arena was all ours!
She has become totally Jordan's cat. She adores him and the feeling is mutual. She lives in the downstairs apartment with him because she isn't too fond of a couple of the other cats. Arena sleeps snuggled up to Jordan every night. Jordan thinks she's wonderful too.
Early the following February, I was working in New Harmony when my partner's husband called and said he'd found a kitten. Ed would walk about 6am every morning regardless of weather. This particular morning I was surprised even he was out. The weather was horrible, icy, freezing rain, snow on the ground... just really bad out. I jumped out of bed and ran downstairs to meet him. When he handed me the ball of fur out of his coat I was certain she was already gone.
Little Miss Memphis.....
The minute I got off work, I ran her down to our vet. He was in surgery, but I left her w/the nurse. The vet called before I even got back to Evansville where I live. His diagnoses was grim. They had managed to remove the crusties, but the little kitty had a massive respiratory infection. The infection had spread to her eyes and they were in critical condition. The vet recommended we would have to enucleate her eyes. He felt she should be euthanized.
My first reaction was a firm, "NO!". The vet asked if I knew what he meant... her eyes would have to be removed, both of them. I was familiar w/blind cats from The Blind Cat Rescue and Sanctuaries videos. I had spoken to the owner a couple of times regarding donations, etc. {She is a paramedic working on an ambulance as well} I told him I knew what that meant - do whatever was necessary! It was clear that this little girl was a fighter. She was a LONG way from being done living.
But I admit, I immediately hung up the phone and called Alana from Blind Cats. I wanted reassurance that I was doing the right thing for this little girl. Another thing was I wanted to know if they would take her at the Sanctuary. {This was a DEFINITE "dammit Renee" moment w/Allen when I called on my way to the vet}. I would have been willing to drive her to North Carolina if she could take her. Alana said they were full, but she would pay for her surgery if we would keep her here. I wasn't sure at first, we had stairs! Could I be a good mom to a blind cat? Would we be able to give her a good quality of life!?!? But Alana soothed all my fears and when I spoke to Allen next, we agreed we had to keep her.
Memphis fought the infection for several days staying w/the vet. They finally let her come home for a weekend, to be back on Monday for the eye surgery. When Jordan and Allen took her in on Monday, they were truly surprised to see her. They had expected her to die before we brought her back. She was SO skinny and frail. I doubt she weighed two pounds and was probably about a year old the vet guessed. After her surgery we brought her home, gave her medicine and fed her well. When she went back for her shot updates the following year, she weighed six pounds!!! The vet couldn't believe she was the same cat. She had great muscle, muscle tone and was very healthy. Before, when you held her all you felt was skin over bone, nothing else. She had truly been at death's door. She was pitiful. Now she was a little butterball!
She certainly doesn't want anyone's pity now. She gets around the house wonderfully. Memphis is still a little snuggle bug when she wants to be, but she likes to be exploring as well. She goes anywhere she likes in the house and never runs into anything. She jumps on/off the furniture, climbs the cat tree, out runs Daddy and Jordan when they are trying to catch her for nail clipping time. She does it all. Memphis is truly an amazing little girl. And precious!!???? OMG this little baby is beyond precious! We are so lucky that Ed found her when he did. I'm so grateful she wasn't euthanized. Ed and his wife, my partner tried to call the vet and have her euthanized behind my back, to just have him tell me she died. First, I would have known better, she was too determined to live. Second, I suspected what they were wanting to do so I called the vet and made it very clear that I was her responsible guardian and paying her bills so NO ONE could make any decisions on her care w/out my approval except Alana. I was stunned that they would even think to do that, but what can you say?
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In the summer of 2010, when Rondo disappeared, we were frantic! We were searching everywhere. We knew our Animal Control shelter was HIGH KILL {90+% of the felines who enter that facility do NOT survive per the director} so we were especially vigilant to make sure he hadn't been taken there. I can't go in there. I can't walk away and leave a cat there because I know it will die. Therefore, Allen was supposed to be stopping in there to look for him. One day he sent Jordan instead. WRONG thing to do on his part. I got a call at work from Jordan. He was so upset. He had been to the shelter and saw their faces. Now Allen should have known better - Jordan has the "must save every single cat" gene that I have. We can't help ourselves.
He'd fallen in love w/a little cat that had reached out to him. She was white. They don't even give them names there. They really couldn't care less about the animals at all there actually.
After Allen gave his approval, I started calling there to get her out. It took seven phone calls and five days. No one knew anything about her. One person said that cats were NOT being euthanized that day, another, who is far more knowledgeable said they were.
The beautiful Miss Laker......
She is just as sweet as she can be. When we got her home we thought she was a while cat with black spots, but after a bath, we learned she was a solid white cats with fleas instead! Which is even more insulting when you get to know Laker. She is a prima dona. Laker would be the girl at the Estee Lauder counter if she were working somewhere.
She is quite the little prissy one. You can't help but love her when you meet her. And truly, Laker is beautiful. She was found wondering the streets by animal control. But even from the start she responded to "pretty girl", so I believe she belonged to someone at one time. I feel for them that they lost such a sweet baby. I know I hope someone is loving Rondo though. And trust me, Laker is well loved!
Not long after Laker arrived, Jordan's girlfriend came over telling us her sister was going to take her cat to animal control. Obviously we couldn't let that happen. But we had seven cats of our own, so I told her to get me a picture and I'd try to find the cat a home. According to the girlfriend, this cat was a female. Her sister didn't want her anymore because she was too much trouble, and the people before the sister passed her along because she had kittens.
Titan lounging.....
The next day the girlfriend shows up on the doorstep with this monster of a cat, 18 pounds! And trust me when I say, even though he was neutered, Titan is DEFINITELY all male!!! This cat did not have kittens!!! {turns out the people GOT kittens so they got rid of the older cat, asses! But he should be w/us anyway!}
Titan is absolutely no trouble whatsoever. He is a daddy's boy since Smidgen's been gone. Titan has been working to make daddy feel better since we came home from the vet that very first day. He was about five years old when he came to live with us. He's been in as many homes in the past couple of years. I can't imagine why. You couldn't ask for a sweeter baby. It would be over my dead body for someone to take one of ours out of this house, and that definitely includes Titan. But their loss is our gain. He's still a little chunker, but I think he may have shed a pound or so. He loves to sit in Allen's lap while we play cards at night. He sleeps thisclose to Allen's face, laying on his chest while Allen watches TV. It's hilarious!
I've helped out a little here and there with the local PAAWS rescue group. Obviously we're a foster fail because of Mickey.. which makes us deliriously happy. But we no longer foster. Nothing leaves our house. That's just a fact of life. We even have a mouse that I try to help out living on our front porch by the birdseed bucket. We just have an open door and open hearts where animals are concerned.
Therefore, I usually limit my helping out to paperwork, etc. In January 2011, I had finished some of the paperwork and was meeting Connie at PetSmart {where they show animals for adoption} to drop the boxes off. As we were talking she mentioned that she was going to have to take one of the cats back home. She was concerned because he wasn't being adopted and she was afraid someone would take him and abuse him. I didn't really understand until she told me he'd had to have an eye removed.
I went into the cat area to see him. I'm sure you could write the rest of the story yourselves, lol. Allen wouldn't even come in to see him. It was definitely a "dammit Renee" moment. I told Connie to just give me a week and we'd take him. He was adorable, a sweet little Russian Blue who seemed so calm. To me he seemed defeated so I knew I had to give him a loving home.
Raider with his new hedgehog......
Another couple of days went by and I called Connie to let her know we'd pick the cat up over the weekend. Then when Allen came home, I told him Connie called to see if we would pick the cat up on Thursday. {we played in a card tournament on Thursdays}... His answer, "did you tell her it would be the weekend before we could get him?" By the weekend, Raider was happily ensconced in his new home! lol. And believe me, there is nothing 'defeated' about this little guy, he is one wild little love bug baby! lol.
Some of the 'nip party guests.... Laker, Mickey, Memphis, Smidgen and Titan.....
We had a catnip party on his adoption day so everyone could enjoy themselves. It sure made the adjustment go much smoother. The others were completely nonchalant about having a new brother. He walked around growling at everyone for a few days, but then he adjusted too.
Raider is quite the little people food eater, lol. I've never had a cat that I had to hide the chocolate from. If he can get to it and eat it before you can stop him.. no matter what it is, he feels like it's fair game, lol.
And last, but certainly not least, we welcomed a new baby into our home this past week. A month or so ago, Connie called asking us to 'foster' a kitten.
Sweet little Wrigley learning to play cards with Dad.....
For now, the Inn is full. We always reserve a spot for Angel, which is my mother's cat in case she needs a home. Otherwise, we have all we can appropriately care for. We could love many many more, but I feel that cats, like kids, need a lot of one on one attention. Right now we're at maximum capacity. Our world would be so dreary without the love of our furbabies. I feel sorry for those who do not know the love of an animal companion. For those who 'don't like' animals, you are truly missing out on one of the greatest pleasures of life... sharing it w/an animal who gives unconditional love. I hope that I am never in a position where I have to live life w/out my kitty babies. There have been days where the stress in life seemed insurmountable, but then you'd see a sweet smiling face looking at you from the edge of the bed, you'd know everything would be alright. Life truly is good.
CHESSIE'S OBITUARY:
November 1st, 2009
At
approximately 3:40am yesterday morning, we lost a beloved family member. He died
in Jeanette's arms in the emergency room. Chessie was a wonderful and special
little feline. He was the ripe old age of 17 1/2 when he passed
away.
Chessie was orginally our family cat, Allen, Jordan and myself. However, at one time, Smidgen was so out of control and so determined to attack Chessie that we let Jeanette take him to live w/her. [I have had an immense amount of guilt about that over the years.] But it was a godsend for all involved. Chessie had an indoor home where he was spoiled rotten over the years. We didn't have to worry about him being outside [where he'd been resigned to due to Smidgen's issues] and Jeanette had a precious loving companion.
Over the years, we've enjoyed Chessie's company, always making certain he had Christmas presents... he was tough to buy for since he wasn't too fond of toys. Chessie was not much on catnip or other vices, but he did believe in being fed well [and often, lol]
A running story line in our family was that Chessie was the old general store owner.. [because he was the family feline patriarch] and that Smidgen worked for him... though Smidgen is aging quickly as well. Smidgen himself is now 16 1/2 years old. But as the story grew, Mickey [our youngest] would run through Chessie's General Store and knock things down w/his little backpack. It was a long running and entertaining yarn strewn throughout the years.... but at 3:40 am yesterday the lights went dark in the general store for the final time.
Jeanette called at 2am, hysterical [though we knew it was possibly emminent] saying Chessie was dying. I could hear him in the background and recognized the sound from Elijah's final moments. I quickly dressed and Jordan drove us to Jeanette's to be w/him. One look told me that his passing was at hand. It broke my heart to see him so helpless and to know I couldn't really do anything to help him. I told Jeanette to get dressed and we would take him to the emergency room where they could euthanize him and alleviate his suffering in the last moments. [we have an animal emergency room in our community... a wonderful facility, pricey, but most definitely a godsend in the afterhours]. When we arrived, I thought for a moment he'd already passed away enroute. But he took another ragged breath shortly after. They attempted to get an IV started for what seemed like forever, but they were unsuccessful, his little veins were collapsed and his blood pressure was very low. Finally they brought him back into the room w/us and we just held him, telling him how special he was, how much he'd be missed but that we knew he was tired.... in a matter of minutes, he was gone.
Life will be different w/out Chessie, especially for Jeanette who spent every day in his company. Jordan, my son, was particularly fond of Chessie. They were always very close. It broke my heart for him as well. At 24, the only time I could really recall ever seeing him cry was when my daddy passed away in 1993. He was heartbroken in the emergency room when we all said our g'byes. That brought even more tears to my eyes, seeing my sweet son's heart in pain and knowing I couldn't help him, I couldn't make the situation better for him. I held him close and we cried together for a while, but in the end, we each must grieve in our own way, on our own time.
Funeral services for Chessie will be held on Tuesday. I know it will again be a time of heartache. A yank at the bandaid currently covering the wound. But it will give us a chance to lay Chessie to rest and say our final g'byes.
Not only will Chessie's passing leave a large gap in our world and in our hearts.. but he has pointed out the mortality of the remaining seven feline furbabies in our home. So we mourn what we've lost and worry for the future. We pray that time will ease the pain of losing Chessie and that such a lost will not overshadow our hearts again for a long time to come.
Chessie was a sweet, gentle little soul. Solid black, we found it ironic that our little halloween cat would have that holiday as the day of his passing. I hope that as he waits to meets us on the next plane that he is once again healthy, happy and enjoying life.
We love you Chessie.... you will be sadly missed by many for years to come. Rest well my sweet little furbaby.
Chessie was orginally our family cat, Allen, Jordan and myself. However, at one time, Smidgen was so out of control and so determined to attack Chessie that we let Jeanette take him to live w/her. [I have had an immense amount of guilt about that over the years.] But it was a godsend for all involved. Chessie had an indoor home where he was spoiled rotten over the years. We didn't have to worry about him being outside [where he'd been resigned to due to Smidgen's issues] and Jeanette had a precious loving companion.
Over the years, we've enjoyed Chessie's company, always making certain he had Christmas presents... he was tough to buy for since he wasn't too fond of toys. Chessie was not much on catnip or other vices, but he did believe in being fed well [and often, lol]
A running story line in our family was that Chessie was the old general store owner.. [because he was the family feline patriarch] and that Smidgen worked for him... though Smidgen is aging quickly as well. Smidgen himself is now 16 1/2 years old. But as the story grew, Mickey [our youngest] would run through Chessie's General Store and knock things down w/his little backpack. It was a long running and entertaining yarn strewn throughout the years.... but at 3:40 am yesterday the lights went dark in the general store for the final time.
Jeanette called at 2am, hysterical [though we knew it was possibly emminent] saying Chessie was dying. I could hear him in the background and recognized the sound from Elijah's final moments. I quickly dressed and Jordan drove us to Jeanette's to be w/him. One look told me that his passing was at hand. It broke my heart to see him so helpless and to know I couldn't really do anything to help him. I told Jeanette to get dressed and we would take him to the emergency room where they could euthanize him and alleviate his suffering in the last moments. [we have an animal emergency room in our community... a wonderful facility, pricey, but most definitely a godsend in the afterhours]. When we arrived, I thought for a moment he'd already passed away enroute. But he took another ragged breath shortly after. They attempted to get an IV started for what seemed like forever, but they were unsuccessful, his little veins were collapsed and his blood pressure was very low. Finally they brought him back into the room w/us and we just held him, telling him how special he was, how much he'd be missed but that we knew he was tired.... in a matter of minutes, he was gone.
Life will be different w/out Chessie, especially for Jeanette who spent every day in his company. Jordan, my son, was particularly fond of Chessie. They were always very close. It broke my heart for him as well. At 24, the only time I could really recall ever seeing him cry was when my daddy passed away in 1993. He was heartbroken in the emergency room when we all said our g'byes. That brought even more tears to my eyes, seeing my sweet son's heart in pain and knowing I couldn't help him, I couldn't make the situation better for him. I held him close and we cried together for a while, but in the end, we each must grieve in our own way, on our own time.
Funeral services for Chessie will be held on Tuesday. I know it will again be a time of heartache. A yank at the bandaid currently covering the wound. But it will give us a chance to lay Chessie to rest and say our final g'byes.
Not only will Chessie's passing leave a large gap in our world and in our hearts.. but he has pointed out the mortality of the remaining seven feline furbabies in our home. So we mourn what we've lost and worry for the future. We pray that time will ease the pain of losing Chessie and that such a lost will not overshadow our hearts again for a long time to come.
Chessie was a sweet, gentle little soul. Solid black, we found it ironic that our little halloween cat would have that holiday as the day of his passing. I hope that as he waits to meets us on the next plane that he is once again healthy, happy and enjoying life.
We love you Chessie.... you will be sadly missed by many for years to come. Rest well my sweet little furbaby.
