August 12, 2018

You Are My Sunshine, My Only Sunshine...

 The original gang circa 2003

 Puff and Rudy 2000-ish
 Brand new Rudy - 1999

 That tail...

 Our mischief maker

 Handsome boy

 Sunshine in the late afternoon

Rudy - May 16th, 1999 - August 11th, 2018
Semper in corde meo

The Mom 'rent here. This boy, this little orange cream sickle, this big, bright ray of sunshine - he left us yesterday. The world is dimmer. Rudy Toots never knew a stranger. He loved everyone. He lived life large and made the most of it. We were blessed with 19 years of this orange menace, but in the last few weeks he struggled with kidney disease. We did fluids and medication, but he did not like being sick. He struggled with his new normal and as things normally go with Rudy, he got his way. He sat in my lap on Friday night and we had a chat. He wanted to go. Some of you may know that look, it's the worst look that your beloved cat can give you. I promised him that he didn't need to keep up the fight. Instead of the appointment for fluids yesterday morning, we said our goodbyes. He passed quietly and gently - no more struggles. The Dad 'rent and I took his remains to Wayside Waifs where they will take very good care of him. We will bring him home later this week,
Rudy is the last of our original gang. We lost Puff 2 years ago and Powder last year. The connection to our brand new marriage with kittens is gone with the passing of Rudy. That fact makes it even sadder for us. 
It seems that we have lost many old blogging friends lately. The Bridge is lucky to have so many wonderful animals. But I, for one, would like to hold on to our babies longer. 
Rudy was a lucky cat. He never knew hunger or what not having a home felt like. He always knew love and happiness. I take some comfort in that.
Love is eternal.

41 comments:

The Florida Furkids said...

Our hearts are breaking for you. We're so sorry that Rudy has gone OTB. We know he will have a joyful reunion with his fursibs but it leaves a big hole in your hearts here. (((hugs)))
The Florida Furkids and Mom Sharon

Lola The Rescued Cat said...

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Rudy lived a wonderful 19 years with you.

Mickey's Musings said...

We are sad to hear of Rudy's passing,but happy he had 19 wonderful years with you :)
We remember the good times in our early blogging days.
WE send you comforting purrs and hugs and happy memories.
Purrs Georgia,Julie and JJ
and mum Nancy

Laila and Angel Minchie said...

We felt a special connection with Rudy because of our Kansas City connection. Know our angel Minchie was there at the Bridge to welcome him and show him the ropes, along with a lot of other of our blogging friend angels. Much love, comforting purrs and hugs to all of you.

Laila and Mom Peggy

Random Felines said...

We are so very sorry....we know he was a special boy and will be very missed

pilch92 said...

I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful boy. XO

Shaggy and Scout said...

We are saddened by your news... Rudy was such a special cat!
Sending love and purrs, fly free dear one!
Lynne and Scout

Tommy and Teaghan said...

Thank you for sharing all the joy and love you had with Rudy all these years. It was always a pleasure looking at that handsome face. This is such a hard goodbye and I am saddened beyond words. Rudy sure picked the best family ever to enjoy his time here on Earth. All our love to you and your family. Much love and blessings and hugs and purrs, Mom Brenda, Tommy & Teaghan, and Beau Beau and Angie will now be reunited with Rudy and the gang over the bridge. xoxoxoxo

Gemini and Ichiro said...

This made us so sad to read. We have read your blog for so long and knew all the gang forever. Rudy was a special boy and we loved seeing his gorgeous face and all his orange handsomeness on your blog. We are so sorry but we know how many friends will greet him at the bridge

meowmeowmans said...

Our hearts are breaking, and we have tears in our eyes. We are so sorry that your beloved Rudy was needed at the Bridge. Thank you for loving him so much, and so well, for all these years. Sending you purrs and prayers of comfort as you mourn your special boy's passing. <3

Jans Funny Farm said...

No matter how many we have, each loss is painful. I understand about losing the last furry connection to a special event in life. As hard as it is to say good-bye, we wouldn't want to have missed their presence. Sending a virtual hug of comfort.

Max said...

Aw, man :'( So many years of such great cats and friends. I'm so sorry Rudy's gone off to the Bridge. It seems like so much of the original Cat Blogosphere has moved on without me...on one paw, it's comforting to know how many buds I'll have there, but on the other...it feels like they should still be here. Rudy was awesome and I wish he'd had just a little more time.

Just Ducky said...

So sorry for your loss. Another wonderful ginger boy off to hang with the gang of gingers at The Bridge. Hugs.

Brian's Home Blog said...

We are so very sorry to hear about dear Rudy. We totally understand that look and the heartache of loss. Love and hugs from all of us.

Forty Paws said...

We are so very sorry that Rudy crossed over. But he let you know that it was time. He is now running free and is healthy with those who have gone before. He was always such a handsome boy, and we loved to see him shaved in the summer! Hugs to you from all of us at Forty Paws.

Poppy Q said...

Goodbye sweet Rudy. We are glad that you got to live such a long life with your family and your living parents were with you at the end.

Hugs
Julie and Poppyq
xxx

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

I am so sorry for your sad loss.I always had a soft spot for Rudy Toots, such a handsome boy.
You gave him a good long life filled with love and no-one could ask for more.
Love and hugs to you.

Alastriona, The Cats and Dogs said...

WE are so very sorry for your loss. There seems to be a number of our friends packing their bags for the bridge and we miss them all. Blogging just isn't the same with most of our friends gone.

Purrs of comfort and paws of sympathy, ~Scylla, Fenris, Tuiren, Yin, Yang & Chimera

The Island Cats said...

We are so very sorry. Sending you comforting purrs and gentle headbutts. RIP, Rudy...you will be missed.

Squeedunk Cats and Z-Girl said...

Sweet Rudy. So sorry for your loss. What a wonderful life he lived with you, and we hope those beautiful memories will help your hearts when you feel lonely and sad. Sending lots of gentle purrs.

Sweet Purrfections said...

I am so sorry to hear about Rudy. I've followed your fluffy family since I began blogging over 10 years ago. He had a beautiful life with you and I know you are heartbroken. Please know my thoughts are with you.

Summer at sparklecat.com said...

I'm so sorry about Rudy. Parker, Puff, Powder and Rudy were a big part of Sparkle's blogging community, and it was so sad to see them pass away, one by one. Lots of purrs to you.

Colehaus Cats said...

We are so sorry Ruby was needed at the Bridge. So many have left us here this year, they simply must be having the best reunion ever up there. Sending love and purrs.

3 kats and a kwiltr said...

So sorry to hear Ruby has gone to the Bridge. We will send purrayers for all that miss the ginger baby.

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

Our Best Purrs Of Comfort to all of you...

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

It just gets harder. Saying goodbye. I know there are no words that help at moments like these, no words of wisdom or comfort. Each heart has it own way of finding what it needs. I am so sorry your lost your Rudy, what a sweet beautiful boy he will always be. Forever your sunshine. May the memories always bless your heart with that sunshine.

catladymac said...

I'm so sorry for the loss of your sweet Rudy ! He is running free among old friends, but he will be sorely missed. Purrayers and peace to all who loved him, especially Mom & his fursibs !

Gidget Blue Sky said...

oh my Rodee tootee fresh and frootie. my fluffy furrend. yoo r now wif yor sisters and da beyotiful Honey Sunshine. Yoo r free of yor failing fursuit. I hope yor spirit is flying around da house above yor rents heads, Honey does this all da time. Sending lubs to yor rents,
Gidget and Mommie Carla

da tabbies o trout towne said...

Rudy; we did not have the honor of knowing you, but wanted to say how very sorry we are ~~~~~~~~ Godspeed your
journey to heaven ♥♥♥♥♥♥

John Bellen said...

Nineteen years is a long time - but isn't long enough. Anyone who loves or cares knows that. Rudy was undoubtedly a special cat. Godspeed, Rudy.

Noisy Nora said...

Small comfort, but a truth. Sending purrs & hugs from angels Finnegan J. Katz, Dr. Buddy Longwhiskers and Princess Jazzy.

We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own, live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached.
Unable to accept its awful gaps, we still would live no other way.
We cherish memory as the only certain immortality,
never fully understanding the necessary plan."
Irving Townsend.

Peachy, Stippie, Angel Binky and Granny said...

So deeply sorry for the loss of your beautiful boy Rudy. Soft Pawkisses to comfort you all <3 Fly free beautiful Soul💗💗💗

Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and Mom said...

I'm so sorry to hear about Rudy. We're sending lots of hugs and soft woofs.

M Dawson said...

He looks the most beautiful boy. No wonder your heart breaks, I am weeping with you at your loss. Rudy had THE best life with you, and I know he must've been ready to go and seeing that will hurt.

I am so sorry. Like many, you know we will cry with you. Around the world tears happen, even if we never met. Because we know your grief, and we share it.

Marjorie and the Dash Kitten Cats

Louche Tabby said...

Just found out about this. So sorry to hear about your loss. Like all of your cats, he was well loved.

World of Animals, Inc. said...

Thanks for sharing the photos with us. We are sorry to hear about Rudy. Nineteen wonderful years. Wow, that's amazing. Just seeing that photo from 1999 is wonderful. We hope you and the family are doing well. Have a great day.
World of Animals

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Charlemagne and Tamar said...

We are so sorry! We only just saw this. We loved reading about Parker, Puff, Powder and Rudy.

Kitties leave big heart holes when they go.

Sending purrs from us and sympathy from our Mom and little kit brother,

Charlemagne and Tamar

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TimberLove said...

Woooos,

Timber