November 21, 2007

Wayback Wednesday - T-Gray 1977-1997 Part 2

If you haven't read Part 1 go here. When we left Mommy last week she was preparing for the Great Halloween Party of 1977. It was a costume party and she and her roomies had invited about a squillion people over for the night. Everything was ready. They had plenty of food (they called it "munchies" back then), plenty of music and a keg - hey it was her college years, lighten up! Anyway, people started arriving and a good time was underway. One of her friends from home decided to give Mommy a big surprise. He drove 175 miles dressed as Little Red Riding Hood. He even brought a basket of goodies! He rang the doorbell and when Mommy answered he handed her the basket and said "I have a little surprise for you." Mommy opened the basket and there he was. A little bitty ball of fur curled up fast asleep in a picnic basket complete with a red gingham blankie! It was one of Mew's kittens! He looked up from his nap and meowed at Mommy. That was it. Mommy was in love. Her friend had thought of everything! He brought a litter box, kitten food and some little bowls. The only thing the little kitten lacked was a name. Mew's son spent his first night as Mommy's boy safe and sound in her bedroom. He made himself right at home and was a perfect cat right from the start. He went without a name for a few days. After seeing what a handsome gray Tabby he was and how he played like a little Tiger, Mommy decided on T-Gray. It fit. T-Gray and Mommy were the very best of friends. Everywhere Mommy went during her younger years, T-Gray came along. They lived in many places (7) and states (3). T-Gray flew in airplanes and rode in cars. He never complained. As long as he was where Mommy was, that was home. He would wait for Mommy to return each evening from hunting and would greet her at the door. He had what Mommy called a "come what may" attitude. He slept next to her head, sat on her lap and was a wonderful companion for a young single gal. He was a great pal to the still young married Mommy, he was a comfort to the sad, divorced Mommy. He was a confidant that Mommy could share all of her hopes and dreams with. T-Gray never judged or never criticized, he was pure love covered in fur. T-Gray came from healthy stock and only had one bout of illness. He had crystals in his urine and had to have surgery to get that fixed. It never was an issue again. T-Gray had a lot of human friends who loved to visit him. If Mommy had to travel, her friends would fight over who got to stay with T-Gray while she was gone. T-Gray seemed to bring out the "happy" in everyone who met him. Even beans who claimed to not like kitties thought T-Gray was cool. Mommy was 19 when T-Gray came into her life. Mommy was 39 when he crossed to the Bridge. Mommy doesn't talk too much about that day. All she told us was that he told her when it was time. She took him to the vet 'cause he was sleeping more than usual and wasn't interested in his food. He had also started to drool a little bit. The vet thought it could be a tumor near his throat, but said that T-Gray was too old and frail for surgery. He said to take him home and keep him as comfy as possible. He told Mommy that T-Gray would either pass on gently in his sleep or he would let Mommy know that it was time. Mommy worked 1/2 days for almost a week so she could keep a close eye on T-Gray. One afternoon when T-Gray tried to get up from his bed, he could not walk. He looked at Mommy very peacefully and gave her his "love eyes." He was telling her it was time. Mommy told him that it was OK and she promised him that she would be there and help him cross to the Bridge. And she did. She was the last thing T-Gray saw, she was the last thing T-Gray heard and felt. He went to the Bridge knowing how dearly he was loved. Because Mommy says that's what best friends do. She also tells us that T-Gray is the reason we have her love today. T-Gray taught her how to do that. And that is why we have nothing but love and respect for Ones Who Came Before. They teach our humans all about love and compassion so that when we come along their hearts are open to sharing that love and compassion with us.
I hope you have enjoyed T-Gray's story. I am thinking about telling you about another One Who Came Before sometime during this holiday season.

34 comments:

Poppy Q said...

Oh dat was a nice story about your mom and her special friend. You made my mums eyes leak. You are right - the beans get taught a very special kind of love from special kitties.

Man, five on the bed. Your beans must have a sooper king sized mattress? Me and my bean are off to bed now, just as you guys begin your day. Have a nice gobble gobble day too!!

Boots, Ozzie and Brenda said...

Thank you for sharing your story about T-Gray. He was such a special friend to your mom.

Have a great Thanksgiving day.

Ninja & Brenda

Tommy and Teaghan said...

That's a wonderful loving story about T-Gray. Another thing to be thankful for on Thanksgiving, the love we have for the ones who came before. Thanks for sharing.

Is yur mom droppin' anyfing on da floor for yoo too eat while she's makin' T-day foods?

The Misadventures Of Me said...

Oh my, that made mommy beans eyes leak - alot.

She knows how your mommy feels and had to do that with one that came before.

HUGGS and purrs and head butts to you alls this wonderful week.

Dragonheart, Merlin, Devi, and Chloe said...

Wonderful story! T-Gray was a very special cat. The Ones Who Came Before are all very special and forever have a place in our humans' hearts. Thank you for sharing T-Gray's story. He was a bundle of love. :)

Mosaic Cats said...

Lovely story of commitment and dedication. Bittersweet, for sure, especially when we are not fully caffinated.
We love hearing about 20 yr old cats cuz it makes us feel young as we both approach 16.
Willie & Bianca

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

Parker

We are so glad to have 'met' T-Gray, he sounded like an awesome kitty. He really helped your Mom grow in so many ways. My Mom's eye leaked all ofur when she finished T-Gray's story. But they were happy tears mixed with sad...like Beau Beau said this is another thing to be thankful for this Thanksgiving....

Thank you for sharing such a special kitty with us...

Purrs and Happy Fanksgiving
Abby, Boo, Ping, Jinx and Gracie

Tiki, Kirby, and StanLee said...

Mommy's eyes are leaking. Thank you for sharing T-Gray with us.

Just Ducky said...

OK Parker you have made mum get all leaky eyed. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you too.

Anonymous said...

T-Gray was a very lucky cat. Some cats just grab our hearts and never let go like that. We had a big male like that too-Iggy.

Wonderful story.

Honey P. Sunshine said...

oh that was sad and happy

Queen Snickers, Empress and Princess Renna said...

Momma eyes are all leaky... that was a great story. *sniff*sniff* oh and Empress and I did enter the raise a paw contest

Sunny's Mommy said...

That's a nice story :-)

Shaggy and Scout said...

What a blessing T-Gray was to your momma! He sure lived a long and happy life. Thank you for sharing this story!

Captain Jack and Sir Dante said...

Mommy's eyes starting leaking at the end because that was such a beautiful story. What a blessing T-Gray was and I am sure your Mommy was thankful for him and he was thankful for her. Happy Thanksgiving guys!

Jan Price said...

What a beautiful story about T-Gray and your mom. Thank you for sharing it.

Jan's Funny Farm

Daisy said...

That was such a beautiful story. Our eyes leaked a little bit at the end. I especially loved what you said about the Ones Who Came Before.

I hope you tell the story about another One Who Came before, because you have a wonderful way of telling the stories.

Christine and FAZ said...

My human loved this tale of love and devotion - she thinks T-Gray was the perfect friend. I think I might have to try a bit harder to be nice to her and not take her for granted all the time. FAZ

LZ said...

That is a very special story about a very special cat. Cats give pure love and T-Gray showed just that.

Chase

Mickey's Musings said...

Such a great story.Living to 20 years!! No wonder everyone wanted a Mew kitty :)
I liked this story and would like to hear others;
Purrs!!!!

Zippy, Sadie, Speedy and M'Gee said...

Oh, mom has leaky eyes. We loved that story and we love and respect da ones dat came afore cuz wifout dem our beans wouldn't know da true love we bring.

Mark's Mews (Marley, Lori, Loki, and Binq) said...

Thank you fer tellin us about T-Gray... We do so much fer Beins, an some of them don't unnerstand that the way you do.

Jimmy Joe said...

That story made Momma's eyes get leaky. T-Gray sounds like an awesome guy.
Your buddy, Jimmy Joe

Anonymous said...

What a lovely story. The Lady's eyes are very leaky, but she's smiling. Purrrrrs!

The Cat Realm said...

What a wonderful story! And what a wonderful cat T-Gray was! The maid started crying again - sometimes I don't understand those humans! But she confided in me that Anastasia taught her a lot too!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Your friend Karl

The Furry Kids said...

Thank you for telling us more about T-Gray. He was definitely a very special guy. You are a great storyteller, Parker. Oh, and it made Momma's eyes all leaky, but then we all got big hugs. You are definitely right about the ones who came before.

Love,
Tazo

Unknown said...

It is very nice too hear about T-Gray. He seemed like a great cat and very strong to have made it to 20 years!

Jake and Bathsheba said...

Thanks for sharing that wonderful story about T-Gray. Our secretary (Mom) is raining tears right now. Mom's first very own cat Precious lived to be 19, but Mom didn't get Precious until she 3. We both knew and loved her for a few years.

(Our moms must be the same age--both 19 in 1977.

Happy Thanksgiving.

~J&B

michico*Adan*Lego-小芥*阿丹*樂高 said...

This is a very good story of T-Gray~!
So sadly that happened at last, Oah.... But, with him, T-Gary completed your mommy's life~!!!

Happy Thanksgiving, Parker~!! Please kiss your mommy for us~!

Forty Paws said...

Oh goodness. Maw's eyes is leaking lots and lots. That was a lovely story and we're so glad that T-Gray brought so much love and joy to so many humans. He was very special. He lived a very long time and your Mom's love for him obviously had a lot to do with that. How special! Thank you for sharing that story.

Luf, Us

Forty Paws said...

OMDawg! We biggified his picture and he DOES look like Dorfie! OMDAWG!

Luf, Us

Black Cat said...

What a lovely story about a wonderful cat. My eyes are leaking too but I'm also smiling about so much love given and received:) xxx

Black Cat said...

Lovely story about a wonderful cat. My eyes are leaking but I'm also smiling about so much love given and received:) xxx

P.S. I pressed the wrong button and think I deleted the original comment, so if you get this twice, sorry! I'm not sure what happened.

Cat with a Garden said...

What a great cat. 20 years of your lifes together! All three of us got happy tears in our eyes.