Ringo tries out the newspaper

Almost every cat we've had likes to sit on open newspapers. Tucker did it often:

Benny does it sometimes:

Sadie has even tried it out:

Ringo: Hey mom, it's my turn!

Am I doing it right?

An annual favorite: Tucker rubs the pumpkin stem

It's become a tradition for me to share one of my favorite Tucker videos. He rubs on a pumpkin stem!

First photos of the cats

I was thinking of the cats' first photos, and thought I would share them all in one post.

Tucker (1998) with me, the day I brought him home. Taken by my sister. Tucker was leftover from a litter from my brother-in-law's relatives. He was about four months old.

Benny (2000), drinking from the water bowl. He was adopted at 8 or 9 weeks of age from a local shelter.

Sadie (about 4 weeks old, 2008) in Jim's hands. Sadie was an abandoned kitten found by my parents.

Ringo (2014), about 11 weeks old, adopted from a local no-kill shelter.

Lucy in late November 2016. This was before we trapped her, and she was near the food bowl in the playhouse in our backyard.  The photo is grainy because I had to zoom in from the back door of the house. I couldn't get any closer to her at the time. She would stay in our backyard for hours.

Benny cuddles

Benny is quite the lover boy. Here he is on my chest in the bedroom.

I framed and hung a photo our friend Alana drew of Tucker in the bedroom (where Tucker spent a lot of his time). I like that it seems Tucker was watching over Benny in this photo.

Sink kitties, then and now

As a kitten, Tucker loved the bathroom sink in the apartment I lived in. 

Recently, Ringo discovered the bathroom sink. Jim took this adorable photo.

Computer laps, then and now

It has been many years since my lap has been empty when I use our desktop computer. I've mastered the art of working around cat chins, tails, and bodies, something Jim has never been able to do.

Tucker LOVED my computer lap so much:

And now Ringo does too:

Christmas memories with Benny and Tucker

When Benny and Tucker were young, Jim and I took them for some Christmas professional photos. They were a holiday fundraiser for a local shelter. I did this three years for Tucker, and two years for Benny.*

This is Tucker from 2001. He was three years old and oh so handsome.

Benny from 2001. He would not sit alone, so Jim joined him. He was one year old.

This one is from 2002, when Tucker was four. He was such a good boy and sat nicely.

These are from 2003. Tucker was five.

Benny was three.

* I wish we could still have these photos taken, but all of the companies who took these are now out of business. I would love to have one with Ringo.

Happy Halloween!

I was pretty spoiled with Tucker. He put up with all the costumes and other items I'd use to dress him up. This is not the case with Ringo. I got out the cat costumes, put a cute Halloween towel on the futon, and envisioned adorable photos.

I got these instead. . .

Mom, this bandana stinks!

Instead, please enjoy some antics from previous years:

Tucker as King Tut

Tucker and the bandana

Benny and the plastic spider

Tucker as a jester

Tucker as a jester--video

Benny as Captain America

Sadie as Captain America

Tucker as Captain America

Kitties, may your Halloween cat all treats and no tricks!

Is Ringo "channeling" Tucker?

I can't tell you why I drove to the shelter that particular day. "Something" told me to stop by, and by the end of the following day, Jim and I were bringing Ringo home.

Since we've adopted Ringo, we've noticed similarities to things Tucker used to do. For instance, I leave for work early in the morning. Tucker used to howl after I'd leave. . .now Ringo does the same thing.

Until near the end of his life, Tucker routinely brought things to bed (usually after I was asleep). Now Ringo does that too.

Ringo has taken to sleeping in nearly the exact same spot in bed--near my head--as Tucker did.

Tucker was my morning alarm clock, and now guess who is waking me up shortly before my alarm?

Tucker used to take Jim's chair when he got up, especially in the kitchen. When Ringo did this recently, we could not believe our eyes:

What did I do?

Lastly, Tucker used to mount Benny from time to time. Now Ringo is doing that to Benny. . .[though I realize this can be a sign of dominance]

Does this mean anything, or is it all coincidence? Jim has joked the Ringo is "channeling" Tucker. It makes me wonder if Tucker "told" me to find Ringo. I wasn't sure I believed in these things until now, but it makes me wonder.

Have any of you experienced this? I'm interested in your responses.

Contest winner from Crazy Cat Lady Ceramics

In early September, we were notified that we'd won a drawing that Glogirly had hosted from Crazy Cat Lady Ceramics. It was for two custom-made mugs. We send our images and text, and waited.

Finally, they arrived! Because of the delay, Crazy Cat Lady sent us some lovely extras too, like the food bowl in the photo below.

I really didn't have to choose the images--these are my all-time favorite photos. The one on the left is my "Tucker reunited" photo, and on the right is one of Sadie, Benny, and Tucker curled up on our bed from a few years ago.

The quotes on the back:

These pieces are gorgeous. They are hand thrown. The images are sepia-toned and hand applied. Because of this, there are wonderful imperfections in the process (such as a random dot). I know that an actual person made this and not a machine in China.

We love these. They are special keepsakes, yet sturdy enough to use every day. If you need unique gift or want to commemorate a special moment, check them out.

Tucker tribute: Meow like a Pirate Day (a little late)

While Meow Like a Pirate Day was a few days ago on the 19th, I wanted to share the image I put together last September. He was wearing the bandana, but I added the skull and crossbones (and pirate's chest) later via Photoshop.

This was Tucker the Terrible.

He was always so patient with my dress-up schemes.

Tucker tribute: Laundry basket love

Tucker loved laundry baskets, full or empty, fresh laundry or not, he was all over them. These are my favorite shots of him in a basket (from 2011). I love this extended, crossed paws.

One week

It's been one week since Tucker has been gone. It's been surreal and sad. Please excuse the random-ness to come in this post.

First, thanks to Ann of Zoolatry for designing the new blog banner. Ordinarily, I design most of my graphics, but I could not face it right now. Ann did a beautiful job in just a few days.

Second, thanks to everyone for the support and love. Thanks to those who have sent cards, emails, or messages. Each one has been appreciated.

Last night, I had a random thought--Tucker died eight months to the day after I found him on that cold November months. We had eight "bonus" months with him, months that I treasure.

I had these photos scheduled but then remove the post. . .but realized that I want to share them. They were taken just a few weeks ago on the porch couch, a place where Tucker loved to relax (preferably with a person). It's how I want to remember him.

Special Tucker drawing

Thank you to everyone who shared their "rallying" moments with us. It is comforting to know Tucker's situation was not unique. I take comfort that I was able to share morning routines with him on his final day on Earth.

I wanted to share this drawing my niece (age 10) sent to me. She captured his colorings so well, and I appreciate that she tried to make it a "happy" picture. I'd like to think that Tucker is chasing butterflies on the Bridge.

It was also touching that, inside of the card she sent, she wrote "He is always in your heart." She is wise beyond her years.

Do cats "rally" just before their final decline?

This question has been on my mind. On Friday morning, Tucker, though weakened, seemed more like his old self than he'd been in days. He was walking around, meowed at me, ate some food, and did most his morning routines. I was delighted and thought we might have the weekend to spend together.

By the time I got home from work, he was in rapid decline. By early evening, we knew it was time to let him go.

I've heard of stories of humans rallying shortly before their death, but I never considered that pets might do the same. Has anyone experienced this with their cat (or even a dog)?

Comfort during this changing time

I can see changes in the cats already since Tucker has been gone. Benny is anxious and needy, while Sadie is a little withdrawn (she was freaked out for a couple of days but has improved).

Benny has been staying pretty close to me, and it's a comfort. I took this photo of him on the bed with me last night.

My moods go up and down. Yesterday, I was quite strong, while today I've been a wreck. The nights are hard; Tucker slept by my head and I'd wrap my arms around him.

I'm planning to take a few days off of work once I get past some deadlines.

Thank you

I am overwhelmed with the love and support for the loss of our Tucker. Manx Mnews made us this lovely graphic that I wanted to share.

I wanted to share a couple of stories with you related to Tucker's passing. One week ago, before his decline started, I placed an order on Amazon. I usually have items on my shopping list to add on to get free shipping. I had this book on the list for more than a year, and on a whim, I added it to my order, figuring I'd squirrel it away for "some day." It will arrive on Tuesday--I had no idea I would need it right away.

I had planned on starting a series of  'bucket list" posts for Tucker, but was only able to do one before he died. We were planning on ordering in pizza Saturday night and sharing pizza cheese with Tucker. We ordered the pizza last night and sat in our backyard, sharing stories about him and making a toast. It was a beautiful night, with fireflies and birds around us. I know Tucker would have loved it. (And Benny got the pizza cheese instead.)

A surreal day

Thank you to all of your for your support. With the way he perked up on Friday morning, I was sure he'd be fine through the weekend. However, his breathing got more and more labored and we knew it was time.

I had never considered an at-home euthanasia before (and didn't know there were any in our area). It was the right thing to do in our situation. We didn't want to move, much less carry, our sweet boy because of his distress. The mobile vet was kind and the procedure went quickly. 

We are grieving hard. If you've been on this blog for a while you know he was a special cat. I cry too for the wonderful bond Jim and Tucker had. I know how fortunate we were for those 16 years.

I'm going to take some time off from blogging to heal. I do have some posts in the hopper (mostly of Sadie) that I will eventually published, but my heart is not yet in it. We will try and visit you as much as we can. It is a comfort to know so many of you cared about our boy.

Tucker, July 4, 1998-July 18, 2014

Tucker took a turn for the worse tonight, so we had a mobile vet come to the house to end his suffering. At about 10:25 p.m., he quietly slipped away.

Run free, Tucker boy. . .

Tucker's "bucket list"

I was wondering, if I were Tucker, what would be on my bucket list? 

One thing I knew was raw sweet corn, so I picked him up an ear last night.

He didn't eat a lot, but just seeing the spark in his eyes was so worth it.

He had a good morning, meowing at me, asking to be lifted onto the bathroom counter, and then sitting on a kitchen chair. I wasn't sure he'd make it to the weekend, but he is surprising me. What a tough guy. We both love him so.