You may notice two new memorial badges added to the collection on my side-bar. These are in honour of my late friend, Tucker. The upper of the two was made by Ann, of Zoolatry. Her offer of this lovely memorial was very kind, and I was grateful that she took the time to make such an attractive image. The lower is from Ingrid, of Meezer’s Mews & Terrieristical Woofs. This beautiful badge was a generous thing to make for me and Tucker. I am thankful that there are such considerate people on the internet.
Inevitably, these commemorations of Tucker’s life and passing emphasize the fact that of my First Four, there is just one remaining. At the end of September, 2020, I wrote about my Old Guard. There were then three. Thirteen months later, in the last days of October this year, there were two. Now, one stands alone.
Renn, too, is aging, and, though he is but fourteen, he is starting to feel his years, I know. He has not been to the veterinary hospital as much as Tucker, but he has had his issues. Nonetheless, lean and strong, he remains constant, happily waiting with me while the tub fills for bath-time on Saturday nights, and joining me afterward for a movie. He almost always sleeps on the bed with me, and asks for chest-rubs following dinner as we relax on the sitting room couch.
My big boy carries with him memories of Tungsten and Josie and Tucker, and all the cats who came between. He is the old veteran who has seen it all and thinks nothing is remarkable enough to comment upon. He and I share a long past.
I hope he and I will share as long a future.
dood....we hope ewe N dad haz yeerz a plentee ta share two gether.... glad ewe all sew haz neville and hector ther ta share cat conversationz with ♥♥
ReplyDeleteI, too, hope Renn still has a long time with you, to share many bath and movie nights. ♥
ReplyDeleteThe badges are a lovely tribute to Tucker (and to all the others who have passed now). I thought, after Tucker's passing, that in the time I've been following your blog, you've had more cats pass than I've ever had in my life. That takes incredible resilience, John. I hope 2022 will be a good year for you all, with an abundance of health and happiness for you and your remaining cats, as well as any others who find their way to the Cosy Apartment.
Here's to Renn living a long life in the Cosy Apartment with you. You have lost too many wonderful cats in too short a time. But you are a great caregiver and home provider for these felines in need. I am so very sad Tucker had to leave you, as did Cammie and Josie and more.
ReplyDeleteRenn, a mellow fellow.
ReplyDeleteWe know you must feel the loss of each of your buddies dearly, but we think you do such a wonderful job of loving and caring for them. We admire that you continue to open your home and heart to new arrivals too.
ReplyDeleteI understand your position and like you my old guard is feeling their ages too, even my petite princess is now up there in years. Where does the time go? I've spent a lot of time analyzing how it feels when someone you've had much time with is suddenly gone and takes pieces of your history with them. I've come to the conclusion that is partly why we feel such depth of grief because we lose pieces of ourselves when we lose someone to the other side. My heart rejoices in knowing (for myself I know others have different feelings about this and that's OK) that one day we will all be reunited again. Each day that arrives is one less day without them. Took me awhile to get to that point but somehow it gives me hope. Renn is such a beautiful boy I hope he shares many more years with you and creates many good memories.
ReplyDeleteRenn is special to me, since he so much resembles (in both looks and personality) my Mac, who passed on several years ago. I hope he stays with you for a long time to come.
ReplyDeleteTucker's memorial badges are just beautiful. They're a wonderful tribute to a much loved cat. May Renn share the Cosy Apartment with you for many more years to come. And may the new year bring health and happiness to you and all the cats that share the Cosy Apartment.
ReplyDeleteI,also, hope you have Renn for many more years. You need a break from all the heartache you had these last few years.
ReplyDeleteHere's to a long and uncomplicated life for dear Renn.
ReplyDeleteI have missed those go the old guard that I knew I didn't have the pleasure of knowing Tungsten however. But I have been very saddened for all I have known who have gone on...and we are never, not ever ready for that. Renn, much love.
ReplyDeleteI hope Renn and all your other kitties do well, and give you many more years of pleasure, togetherness...and of course, love ♥
ReplyDeletehe badges are beautiful. I hope you and Renn have many more years together along with Neville and Hector.
ReplyDeleteThe badges are lovely and such sweet tokens. I, too, hope that Renn is with you for many, many more years to come.
ReplyDeleteSaku is the last of the six. He's 13 now and I told him he has to stick around for several more years. He still plays with nip toys, races up and down the hall - less frequently than before, and will occasionally deign to play with the feather toy with me. He seems to be enjoying being an only cat.
We hope you and Renn have a olot more time together too.
ReplyDeleteIn the late winter/early Spring of 2011 I acquired 7 cats - some from the pound, some who were to be dumped, one which had been dumped. There are only two left - even though they weren't that old - Those two are littermates, the only two I actually know the birthday of. Each has had health issues but I pray they will be around much longer. Ten years isn't all that long, is it ?
It sounds like you too take in the ones others wouldn't want.
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