July 4th is a special day

 While the United States celebrates its indepedence, we will always remember it for our late Tucker's birthday. Thanks for all of the memories, Tucker boy.

Lucy's in the porch

 Lucy was recently enjoying the enclosed porch, and I said hello from outside. She meowed, and pressed her little head against the screen.

Friday Favorites: Tucker in the porch

For Valentine's Day, I'm sharing my very favorite Tucker video. I loved that raspy meow.

Lots of snow

This photo showed up on my Facebook feed, from 2008. We'd had 16 inches of snow, and Benny and Tucker were curious about the snow.

Friday favorites: Tucker and the small box

I thought I'd start sharing some favorite videos and photos from the past. This video still makes me smile. Tucker crammed himself into a small box, and then proceeded to play with his tail. You can hear both Jim and I laughing.

Merry Christmas to all

A few weeks ago, Cole &  Marmalade's (the internet cats) Facebook page suggested an interesting Christmas ornament idea. They put shed cat whiskers into a clear plastic ornament to hang on the tree.

I've saved cat whiskers for many years and kept them in an Altoids tin. I loved this idea and began my search for a good container at the thrift store. 

For .62 I found this:

The silver bottom unscrews, so I can add whiskers later.

It contains whiskers of cats past and present, with plenty of room to add more. Here is it below our late great Tucker.

Merry Christmas to all. Hug your kitties and enjoy the holiday.

An annual tradition: I can't wait for Christmas

It's become a tradition to share this video of our Tucker. I caught him trying to open his Christmas gift. I sure miss that boy this time of year. He loved being under and near the tree.

Can't wait for Christmas? You're not alone

I'm re-sharing an old favorite--the time I caught Tucker trying to open one of Christmas presents. Listen to the very end to hear his raspy meow.

May all of your gifts be as fun to open this holiday season.

An old favorite: Tucker and the pumpkin

One of my favorite videos of Tucker. Use that pumpkin to scratch that itch on your chin!

Meow like a Pirate Day

Shiver me timbers and batten down the hatches! It's Meow like a Pirate Day!

We are re-sharing an old favorite of our Tucker the Terrible. He made a good pirate.

Aye me hearties!

If you have to walk the plank, may it be covered in treats!

20 years ago. . .

While today is Independence Day for the United States, it also marks what would have been Tucker's 20th birthday. Of course, we know that most cats don't live that long.

We think of him every day, but the overwhelming sadness of his loss is gone. We laugh at the funny memories (he always had something against my big toes and wanted to bite them), or make comments when one of the other cats does something he might have done.

We know we were blessed to have such a special cat in our lives for so many years.

Here's to Tucker's memories. We'll always remember you, Tucker boy.

July 4th has another special meaning

July 4th was Tucker's birthday (he would have been 19 had he lived), so it has a duel meaning for us. We were blessed to have had 16 wonderful years with our special boy. He's always in our hearts.

We also thank Chewy for the patriotic box o' fun that arrived in the mail! Lucy was intriqued.

Remembering our Tucker boy

A couple of nights ago, I was reading on our (enclosed) porch. Lucy had finally discovered that my lap is still my lap, even on the porch, and had jumped up. 

I thought of Tucker and how much he loved being on the porch. He would sleep for hours on the couch if we let him, and his last week on earth was spent primarily there.

It had been a long time, but I found myself tearing up. He sure was a special boy and we were lucky to have him in our lives.

I think of how fortunate we are. Now we have Ringo and Lucy, two great cats who bring us joy every day. I like to think that Tucker led us to them. And that's a very good thing.

And of course, we love Benny and Sadie too.

I miss you, Tucker boy, but I also know that you led us to other good things.

A happy Halloween memory

It would not be October without sharing this video of Tucker. It's one of my favorites.

We will always remember

This will always be a special day. October 4th was Tucker's gotcha day. He brought so much joy and love to our lives. We are thankful no one wanted him from that litter of kittens. (We were told he wasn't chosen because he had short hair, while his litter mates all had long hair.)

Love you forever, Tucker boy.

A funny Tucker memory

I've had this "feather" duster for years (it's not actually made of feathers). It works well to reach baseboards behind the bed. I brought it upstairs while I was cleaning the bedroom. I returned to Ringo playing with it.

I smiled and remembered that, years ago, Tucker too loved to play with this duster. Thanks for the memory, Ringo.

Cat things I can't let go of

After Tucker died, I put away the most special things that were his. Some things, like his bowls, are being re-used for the other cats. 

Others I still can't bear to look at. One item I probably won't ever be able to have again is a yarn ball. They were his very favorite toy, going everywhere with him around the house. (He was cremated with a yarn ball, and the one in the photo is with his remains.)

A couple of months ago, I had another surprise of emotions when I found a smaller used carrier at a thrift store. Tucker's carrier was quite large (he was a big cat) and I'd wanted something smaller.

I was carrying the carrier around the store as I browsed, and I started to panic. The thought of donating or not using his old carrier made me upset. . .to the point of me putting the smaller carrier back on the store shelf.

Funny how those emotions can sneak up on you! I am not ready to remove his carrier yet, as I think of moments like these:

I can't imagine I'm alone in this, right? What things do you keep from pets that have left this earth? 

We'll never forget. . .

Two years ago today, we lost our beloved Tucker boy.

We think of him every day, especially those little quirks and things the other cats don't do.

We miss you and love you, sweet boy.

Tucker tribute: Sentimental ol' me

I've had my iPad mini for about two years. I regularly delete photos from it (mostly of the cats) or I'd regularly run out of space.

For sentimental reasons, I'm unable to delete certain photos, like the first one I ever took with it. . .

These are early photos I can't delete either.

It's sort of silly, I guess. They are backed up and saved in two locations. I also have photos of my late Grandmother from the birthday party we gave her about 7 months before she died (oddly, today marks the one year anniversary of her death).

Is it just me? Are you unable to delete certain photos too?

New morning bathroom routine

One of the most charming things Tucker used to do was sit on the bathroom counter every morning while I was getting ready for work. Even when he could no longer jump up,  he would wait for me to pick him up. His last day on earth included this routine.

Tucker watching me.

Recently, Ringo jumped up on the counter and gifted me with his mouse. I just about died from the cuteness. When he did it a second time, I grabbed the camera.

I brought you something, Mom. Do you like it?

Maybe you'll play a little bit with me?

Or I'll get some pats? (He jumped on my chest right after this shot.)