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.

BFF's

It's cuddle season here and as we get more mature and laid back, we enjoy a little snuggle time. Us older guys have to stick together. Diamond had his photo taken with the 'rents and Santa last weekend. See? -

Today Ricky Tiki Tavi is going for a visit with Santa Paws. Puff. Powder and I have decided to skip the Santa photo shoot. We'll see him on Christmas Eve when the 'rents are snoozing. Ricky Tiki Tavi is still too young to understand what he's getting himself into with this whole Santa thing. Heh-heh. We're all doing OK - Diamond is still dealing with his creaky bones and is taking medicine for them. He gets to take it with cheese! I have  some mats that will get me a trip to the groomers very soon.

I hope all of you are enjoying the holiday season. We are trying our best to be good so that Santa fills our stockings with good stuff!
Keep those tails high kitties!

Peace and Love in O Hi O

He really is a good brother...Most of the time.

A Sweet Moment

...or somekitty has tuna on their breath.

Flirting With Disaster...

Rudy feels better enough to tread in dangerous water. No One messes with Puff's tail! For the record, he did give it a whap and Puff decided to let him live...

The Rudy Report

Hello there! I am spent! After eating turkey, napping with our houseguests, playing with new toys and snoopervising the house decorations - well, I was not able to get my normal 18 hours of sleep. And I hear that our indoor tree is coming today - a kittie's work is never done! You know what else? Right after this photo was taken, Mommy picked me up and moved me so she could sit in the chair! The nerve of her! I had to nap on the snuggle on the radiator instead. It's hard being me these days, but I heard Mommy and Daddy talking - guess who goes for their wellness checks on Friday? Puff and Powder! Don't tell them, OK? I don't want to ruin their week! Have a nice Monday kitties - I hope no one moves you from your nap spot!

Wordless Wednesday - Anatomy Of A Nap

Easy Like Sunday ...

...as long as those boomies are gone...

Photo Hunt - Creamy...

...AND dreamy!

A Decade of Rudy!

Happy 10th Birthday Rudy-Toots! Here is Rudy just borned!

And here he is in all of his orange glory.

As a youngster with Puff and Powder

Enjoying the evening sunset

Proving that orange rocks

Thanks for the graphic Zoolatry!

We love you no matter how pesky you can be!

ps - please leave Rudy a treat on his Catster Page - he'd love it!

Photo Hunters - Walking

Way back in the old days, we were allowed outside. This is Rudy walking the fence in our old Kansas City neighborhood. Those were the days...

Tummies on Tuesday...Almost...

I was going to show you my snow white tummy, but the orange menace and his evil shadow decided to interfere. If I had a box and some tape and and thumbs and money for postage...

Brothers...Bah!

Easy Like Sunday ...

Yes kitties, it is true. Sometimes, in the evening, there really can be peace in the valley. I hope you have peace in your valley today!

Wordless Wednesday - The Face That's Hard To Stay Mad At...

The Not-So-Innocent-Bystander

Watch kitties and see what hisses Puff off!

The Rudy Report

Hiya' kitties, Rudy Tootie Fresh and Fruity here...

Newsflash -it's cold and snowy here in O Hi O! Big shockeroonie, right? I have been staying warm by furring up the new furniture.
There's been a rumor around here for a few weeks that I am going to have to go to the groomers and get the mats out of my butt. I remember last year when that happened. It was not a lot of fun. At least the groomer is a nice lady. More on this to follow...
Mommy and Daddy slow cooked BBQ ribs yesterday. We got a little (sauceless) taste and Mmm Mmm good!
I have not been being mean to Parker - but she had the nerve to challenge me to stare down on Friday! Daddy broke it up before it got physical - and between you and me, I think she's planning some kind of revenge for the Boo-boo I gave her. Do you think I should be worried about this?

Mancat Monday - The Rudy Report

Hiya' kitties, It's me, the Rudester, with the Rudy report.
I have had some time to think about the whap that I gave Parker. Her booboo is getting better, but it still isn't very pretty. I really don't know what made me do it. But I do know this, whapping does not get you treats or cuddles or anything good. I've learned that it may be better to be a lover and not a fighter - I have asked Parker for her forgiveness and she has accepted. We may never be snuggle buddies, but we can live in peace. So that's my report - I am going to try and be nice to my siblings.
Now Mommy, may I have a treat?

Tattle Tail Tuesday - My BooBoo v.2

Take a gander, but it ain't pretty.

It's fine, not infected, just unattractive!
Rudy is soooooo in for it!

(Hey kitties, it isn't only me that's having a rough health patch, Mommy is having surgery today to see if she has something wrong with her insides. Chances are very good that they will not find anything bad, but I know her and Daddy are a little anxious. I'd like to ask that you purr and pray that there is not a single thing wrong with her and that she is back home tonight. I don't think I will be able to post for a few days, she's gonna' have to focus on getting over the surgery. I'm gonna miss you guys, but I promise, I will be back as soon as I can - smoochies to all of you, now I have to go and hang with Mommy, she's needing serious kitty mojo!)

Tattle Tail Tuesday - My BooBoo

So kitties, picture it, Friday night, all of us were chillaxin' in the living room enjoying the company of the 'rents and watching the fireplace and the T.V. Snacks and treats had been liberal. The feather wand and the Cat Dancer and the fake mousies had been out and properly played with. All was well in our little corner of O Hi O. Or so I thought...
Then, out of nowhere - that orange menace Rudy strolled over to me and gave me a swat on my cheek! For no reason! I was stunned and just sat there staring at him in disbelief! Mommy was near us and had the evil squirt bottle close at hand in case we decided to start sharpening our claws on the new furniture (we've been very, very good and have not scratched it...yet...). She got Rudy full on in the puss and he ran away like the little ginger scoundrel that he is. She scooped me up before I knew it and inspected my booboo. Then she cleaned it! I protested and ran and hid. Later that evening I appeared for therapeutic Temptation treats, hugs and smooches and Rudy got none! Ha! I am happy to report that I am fine, but my face is temporarily marred. I anticipate a full recovery.

Front view of my booboo.

Side view.

A view of the perp who remains unapologetic and full of mats.

Mommy says we should all forgive and forget. I say that revenge is a dish that is best served cold. And served it shall be...

Mancat Monday - The Rudy Report

Hey kitties! It's me, Rudy, here with the Rudy Report!

The sun came out yesterday! It got warm enough to open the front doors for a few minutes and that was a big treat! Me and Diamond had to check out the view and sniff the fresh, chilly air! It was wonderful! Then we had to close the doors. Mommy says 37 degrees is not screen door weather. She's such a killjoy...
Diamond got a new collar last week from the Animal Rescue Site. It looks pretty cool. He likes it a lot. He's hoping to catch a few girl doggies eyes when he takes walks with it on. Diamond is a hopeless romantic.
I smacked Parker in the cheek Friday night and gave her a boo-boo. I got squirted with the water bottle for my trouble. She's OK, but I made Mommy very upset. I just can't help myself sometimes. I am a high-spirited kinda' guy...
Mommy and Daddy are such party animals that they only lasted to the 2nd quarter of the Superbowl. They made 7 layer Taco Dip and we didn't get to taste it cause it had too many spices in it. We did get Stinky Goodness though - and it was Chicken flavored! Yum!
Mommy is losing the battle of trying to groom out my mats. She is threatening to take me to the groomers at the VET place. She'll have to catch me first!
Well kitties, it's time to go and watch the birds and the squirrels in the backyard. I hope your Monday has at least 1 or 2 pleasant surprises in it!
Bye-Bye!!!