Dino: Rainbow Bridge Day

It is the ninth anniversary of his Rainbow Bridge Day. We remember Dino with great fondness and love. He was the best of cats – friendly, happy, close confidante, and loyal littermate. Dino loved all things fresh, from cut-flowers to laundered clothes to Kona coffee to babies.

Dino: on kitten watch in early spring  (March 1990)

the fan: favorite objet d’arte

napping with his objet d’arte

catnip scratcher box: “all mine”

Pebbles and Dino: waiting on dinner

Dino at one (Sep 1990)

We were most privileged to have our Siamese boy for nearly 19 years. Every day was a good one with him. We miss you much.

Love you always,

mom and dad
xoxo

Photos are from the Two Cats Two archives. They were taken using a Canon FTb 35 mm SLR using Kodak Gold (ASA 200) film.

Miss Egypt: Yesterday & Today

Though it has been one year, it seems like yesterday. The loss of our tabby girl has been an enormous one. Her missing presence is most noticeable, from watching her world at a window to her power nap to her taking over a chair. Noticeably missed the most is her sassy personality.

Miss Pinky probably misses Miss Egypt the most. They would start most days with a wrestling match, one Egypt would always dominate and win. It would culminate with a short chase. In other feline matters, one look from her was enough to settle it.

executive laundry assistant: making sure the towels will make it into the wash

the power nap

a perfect shady spot

Always happy, friendly, active, fun – that was her personality. Miss Egypt always wore her tabby smile. If she saw a ruler or the yardstick out, it was time to play (loved anything wood). The girls found out Egypt also developed a love for leather tack gear (pricier the better). Using a throw pillow to save a chair or your spot on the couch, Egypt would love you later for your kind thoughtfulness for the cushy napping spot. Any cubby-hole on the desk was also right for a nap. Her purr machine – easy to start, hard to turn off.

Miss Egypt has left a mighty void. The role of top cat remains unfilled, a title and position Egypt made her own.

We love and miss you very much.

xoxo

A Rainbow Bridge Day

She had a strong personality. Step into our home, one knew Pebbles was the one in charge. A trait not unusual for kitties of the Siamese persuasion.

Yet, Pebbles had her sweet, affectionate side. She slept under the covers with her one, her little feets pressed on the back. A soft meow in the ear when it was time to wake up.

When October 10, 2005 came, we awoke early as per our custom. Breakfast, Pebbles ate that well, and part of Dino’s leftovers. Afterwards, a brief nap then she watched the light snow fall outside. With her bright blues and her purr machine on high, Pebbles signaled she was ready to say goodbye for the time being.

We miss our Siamese girl very much. Pebbles was the best of friends, and was a very loving member of our family and confidant.

Love you always,

mom and dad
xoxo

“It was all so unexpected …”

… and so much more.

It was meant to be a very routine visit. We would be in-and-out, and back home in less than 45 minutes. Our previous visits were all like this, and this would be no different.

The day began early as normal. The kitties were taken care of first – their breakfast, fresh water at all four stations, the litterbox scooped and freshened with baking soda. As his habit, Tuxie waited patiently for his fresh water. With him, you have to be plenty quick with a bowl of fresh water. The rest of the morning unfolded as close to normal and quiet as it does on most weekdays.

While storm clouds began to build, around noontime, Tuxie settled in for his nap in the hideaway box, in the patio. The hideaway box served as a shelter for him and his two littermates, Maxie and Midnight, when they transitioned in from the outdoors many years ago. They continue to use it as a their quiet hideaway. Miss Egypt also used it as her secret quiet place.

It is with great sadness, and great shock, to announce the passing of my handsome boy, Tuxie, on Monday, August 29, at 14:45, at our vet’s office. He passed away from a cascading respiratory failure. It was clearly so unexpected. I had anticipated, that it would be a routine visit. Dr. Ramsel would ask how things were going at home after losing Miss Egypt. Instead, it was an emergency situation.

This was not your ordinary, overstress situation. Listening to Tuxie’s lungs, Dr. Ramsel could hear crackles which indicate fluid in the lungs. An x-ray revealed half of his lungs were filled with fluid, and likely resulting from an underlying disease process or the presence of a tumor. A rapid application of oxygen slightly eased the shortness of breath but was not enough to slow or halt the cascading respiratory collapse. Dr. Ramsel was prepared to insert a kitty chest tube, but she needed to stabilize Tuxie first. Unfortunately, he slipped away to the other side.

After breakfast, Tuxie began the day like he always did – watching his world wake up. He listened to birds singing their morning songs, and watched them fly here and there. Tuxie watched his one take the trash to the curb for pick-up day with his “what-cha-doing” wonderment. And, he was glad when I acknowledged his watching.

He was quiet, unassuming and very happy. Like Miss Egypt, my boy struggled mightily to stay in the here and now. Tuxie, too, showed what life is all about. To live, to love and savor every moment of life – big, small and everything in between. Sadness had no place in his world.

Forever in our hearts
Tuxie, The Quiet Prince
July 25, 2005 – August 29, 2016

xoxo

A Rainbow Bridge Day

He loved the scent of fresh-cut flowers. The one scent Dino enjoyed the most was gardenia. When that plant bloomed, it was like he consumed all of its scent.

In summer, Dino enjoyed the greenhouse very much. The plants, the scents, were very intoxicating.

When July 18, 2008 came, we awoke very early as usual. Though his appetite had slipped away, his eyes were bright, clear and alert. It was his approval to say it was okay to say goodbye for now.

We miss our Siamese boy very much. Not only was he the best of friends, Dino was a very loving member of our family and confidant.

Love you always,

mom and dad
xoxo

Notes From Home

Away from home for such a long time, there are always a few concerns about how things are faring. Naturally, there are concerns regarding family, the furry ones and the house. While planning the show schedule, we try anticipate for many things – both on the road and at home. One of the lessons of life is being organized as much as possible. It takes away a bit of the unexpectedness one will encounter. Nonetheless, when the unexpected happens, it is a bolt out of the blue.

It is with very great sadness to announce the passing of my beautiful Miss Egypt, yesterday afternoon, Wednesday, June 22 at 17:20 MDT. I flew home on Tuesday after talking with Andrea and Laurie on Sunday and Monday. Egypt developed acute kidney failure, a condition she carefully hid. Every part of her daily life unfolded in a normal manner in the days before – playing, sleeping and eating, all without missing a beat.

Miss Egypt fought valiantly to overcome her condition and the sedatives calmly taking her to the other side. In the final goodbye last evening, my princess slept with her eyes sweetly closed with her beautiful smile. Many tears have been shed at home, and in SoCal among my other princesses and their Auntie Bella. The bond between Miss Egypt and I was a very strong and enduring one. She will be greatly, greatly missed. And, though we still have the pater of cat feet in our home, it has become much too quiet without hers.

Though her condition was beginning to steeply decline on Wednesday morning, Miss Egypt found the energy and alertness to greet and meet the early morning song of a robin singing near her viewing spot in the greenhouse. She listened and watched carefully, locating the singer with her ears first and then with her eyes. In this small moment, Egypt showed what life is all about. It is to love and savor every moment – big, small and everything in between. And, Egypt showed her strength at life’s end – struggling to love and be loved.

Forever in our hearts
Miss Egypt
Jan 14, 2004 – Jun 22, 2016

xoxo

Caturday Memories: Ten Years Later

It was ten years ago, on this day, we said farewell to our Miss Pebbles. She graced our lives for 16 years, 2 months. Though Pebbles was fun and playful, she definitely was the one in charge of the household.

always box ready

 

the hiding place

 

taking the afternoon nap

 

a fashion icon, with her leopard print, leather handbag

 

When that day came, she fully understood we were parting ways temporarily. Her eyes were bright, her head held high. Ten years later, we occasionally feel her presence or sight the swish of her seal-point tail. Indeed, we miss Pebbles very much. We were very, very blessed to have her as a good friend and family member.

 

Photos from the Two Cats Two archive, using Kodak Gold 35 mm film (ASA 200) and Kodak B&W 35 mm film (ASA 400).