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.

Happy 19th Birthday Rudy!

My very first photo shoot! (that's me in the blue circle)

Today I am 19 years old. Wow. I don't feel that old. I have lived with many awesome brothers and sisters over the years. My Mom Puff, sweet Powder, Payton, beloved Parker Pie, and now Rickey Tiki Tavi and Kharma -  the great dogs, Jordan, Diamond and now sweet Fletcher. I have been very fortunate. Mom says that I have never known hunger, been without a loving family and a home - and for the most part have been very healthy. I wish all kitties could be as lucky as I have been...

It's fun being me!

Life is good!

Late 1999

 More of my cuteness

I know that we do not post very often on the blog - but if you are reading this - thank you for coming over and seeing me on my big day. I like to sleep more than I used to, but I still love to eat and snuggle and I still love the 'nip! Cheers everyone - I love you!

Rudy Toots ❤❤❤

Powder - 4/1/1998 - 6/9/2017 - Dearly Loved, Deeply Missed

The Last Farewell -

Come with me my gentle love

and let me hold you near.

I'll soothe you with my softest words

and never mind the tears.

I'll whisper words of love to you

so you will always know...

how much my heart is breaking now

as I gently let you go.

We've traveled years and miles, we two,

you've been my constant friend.

And now the kindest gift I give

brings us to this end.

Your legs grew weak,

your eyes grew tired;

I watched time take its toll.

In my heart you're still the kitten

I held so long ago.

I cannot watch you suffer now,

my love is much too deep.

So close your eyes my little love,

I'll hold you as you sleep.

I'll stroke your soft, soft, silken fur

and gently ease the pain.

And pray to all the gods I know

that we will meet again.

I knew this day would come my love

I knew it from the start.

I did not know the price would be

a large piece of my heart.

I'll grieve for you because I must

I'll shed hot, heavy tears.

But the sorrow of this day won't dim

the love we shared for years.

~Constance Jenkins

Mere moments after arriving at their forever home 5/17/1998  - (Powder on right)

This awesome little creature was a constant part of our lives for 19 years.
How Powder got her forever home  -

Snoozing with her first dog-buddy, Jordan Circa 1998

Always enjoyed a good nap!

Loved Daddy's Skritches!

Knew the sound of the treat jar!

Mommy's Heart

Peek-A-Boo on our O-Hi-O deck

Always ready for a close-up

My lovely, calico baby...

As some of you may know from my Facebook page, Powder had a UTI that had been treated, but seemed to reoccur last week. Last Wednesday we went in to see our great feline veterinarian at Northland Cat Clinic . Labs were drawn, blood pressure was taken - Powder checked out great. The Vet even said that her kidney function was that of a cat 10 years younger than she was.  She had gained weight. She acted happy and frisky - even accepted the advances of our Vet and purred and arched her back when she was shown affection (very un-Powder-like!) Things were fine on Thursday morning - breakfast eaten and happy to relax and watch the world go by. Thursday night she seemed lethargic and she didn't want to eat (!). We coaxed a few bites, but all she wanted to do was snuggle around my neck. She shivered a bit, but I attributed that to the air conditioning and the fact that she had just received a lions cut - I just held her tight and she stopped shivering and began to purr in her normal fashion. We all fell asleep for the night. Things were much worse on Friday morning - no appetite, very weak and a bit disorientated. I called the Vet and we went right in.

Upon examination, her body temperature was very low. But even worse, her heart rate was decreasing by the minute. Powder was in heart failure. Our Vet explained that given her age, there were not many options and that her prognosis was "very guarded". After a few moments, her heart rate was checked again. Even lower than the last time. Our Vet then said, "I think she is making the decision for you". So for one last time, I held my little girl. We put her back on her travel bed and gently helped her to the Bridge. I had the privilege of  stroking her fur and looking into her eyes. Powder left us quickly and peacefully.

We know the grieving process far too well. We know that eventually it gets easier to think of her without the grief and the tears. But like all of the ones who came before - the absence of her being here  - well, it still hurts and stings like hell. We've loved every one of our fur kids - we know from the beginning that this is what you sign up for - and every time - with Jordan, Payton, Parker, Diamond and Puff - the pain swells and almost sweeps you under. But you get better. You have other little mouths to feed and fur to stroke and they need you and count on you. So, as each day passes, you get a little better. You start to smile when you think of them and cry a little less...

Until we meet again little girl. ❤

Semper in corde meo

Our Little April Fool - Happy 19th Birthday Powder

Guess Who is 19 Today?

This Girl!

We feel blessed to still have this little creature in our lives. Powder has been a part of our lives since Mommy and Daddy were married  - Powder was just a wee sprig back then. And to tell the truth, she never got much bigger. She's always weighed between 5 and 6 pounds. Such a little girl. Such a big mouth...she has the loudest meower out of all of us. As you can see, Powder thinks that she is large and in charge. Mommy says she's almost totally deaf, but she says the same thing about me - what??? Anyway - today we celebrate our littlest kitty, Mommy's heart and our darling Puff's littermate. Powder may be slowing down, but she still enjoys life and thinks that Mommy's lap is the best place in all of the world. 

Happy Birthday Powder!

Love from your brother - 

Rudy Toots - 

  Hi There Ladies - I know - I still got it!

Our 18 Year Old April Fool Kitty - Happy Birthday Powder!

Look who's celebrating her 18th birthday!

Circa 1998 - a mere kitten...

Some of you may remember that Powder is the sister of our beloved Puff who left us over a year ago. We adopted both Puff and Powder the weekend of our wedding in 1998. They were sisters. And like sisters, they had their differences. We all miss Puff, and we appreciate that Powder is still a part of our life. Powder is on meds for her thyroid and she sleeps quite a bit - that doesn't stop her from playing when she feels like it and guarding Mommy's lap. All in all she has a pretty great life.



I'm 18 and I'm Gorgeous! ('cept for the eye boogs)

There will be no foolin' around as we celebrate this tiny Calico kitty today, Powder has been around as long as we've been a family. That's saying a lot! So we will bust out the tuna, the 'nip and the Temptations -





Powder Rudy and Kharma working hard for the money...

Fletcher works hard too...

Rickey Tiki Tavey Says...

...never work when you can play with your buddy!

We'll leave you today with  Puff and Powder - their first day at their forever home. Mommy wishes her camera was better back in May of 1998 - but as you can see these two were destined for a long, awesome life, and thanks to them being good kitties, more of us got to live here! Happy Birthday Powder! We Love You!





Remember Us?

Hi there - I'm Kharma - remember me?

Lot's of stuff has happened since we posted for Powder's birthday last April. Some good, some not so much. I thought for those of you who are interested, now's a good time to share.

Rickey Tiki Tavi is both my best buddy and a great guy to wrrrassle with! Even though he can't hear nothin', he's a great playmate. We're both still young and need our kitty crazy time. He's taken after Rudy in the furs department. He came >>>thisclose<<< to a Lion cut. Mommy finally coaxed the tangles out, so he's safe for the time being.

Fletcher celebrated is 3rd Gotcha' day with us on June 1st. He's pretty cool for a dog. He spends his time trying out for the Cubs. He's a first class ball catcher. He's a great nap buddy too!

Powder is 17 and doing very well. She sleeps a lot, but Mommy says that she's reached the age where she can do just about anything her little kitty heart desires. Powder is "Mommy's Heart" - she's kinda' a one human cat...

Rudy Toots turned 16 on May 13th. He's just about the sweetest thing since sugar. Loves laps and naps. He can still chase down a Temptations treat with with the best of them! Everyone loves Rudy -  (even me - he bathes my noggin' and I love it!)

Parker Pie, dear Puff and Diamond Doggie are missed every day - always in our hearts...

So - the really bad - Mommy got pretty sick in June - it was scary.

Told you it was scary!

(I blurred Mommy's face)

She had a big Kidney Stone that made her kidneys shut down. She spent three days in the Eye-See-You, then another 4 days in Step-Down. The doctor wouldn't let her work for a month. Three surgeries, 5 squillion drugs and just as many naps later - she's almost as good as new...

Daddy took very good care of her - so did the doctors and nurses - she was hospitalized where she worked. 

Her kidneys are now working at 100% - YAY! If you haven't seen us on Facebook and Twitter, that's why we've been so quiet - we've been very busy nursing Mommy back to health.

So, we won't miss this summer too much. But I leave you with a pretty picture of Fletcher and with wishes that you are always kind to one another - you never know when ceiling cat might want you to come home...

Pretty cute for a rescue mutt!

Our April Fool's Kitten Turns 17! Happy Birthday Powder!

I enjoy naps...and treats...and singing the song of my people...

So...I'm the senior member of this family and I take my position seriously. I know I've been the quiet one on this blog, but since I lost my sister Puff last December, I need to speak up a bit more. We all miss her very much. Puff and I had the same birthday, but today we'll celebrate my birthday solo and I plan on spending it doing anything I want. Last year the 'rents found out I have hyperthyroidism and now I take tasty chicken flavored medicine that helps me feel good. I still play, enjoy the 'nip and sitting on Mommy's lap whenever she tries to sit down.
I use to be an obsessive groomer, but I stopped doing that a few months ago. I also decided that Mommy isn't allowed to brush me anymore. So...clumpy mat city happened. Dr. Webster had to take the clippers to my back. I'm now sporting a reverse Mohawk. It's not a look that every kitty can pull off, but I do - I look great!

I thought I would post a blog from my sister Parker from 2007 to commemorate that great day I came into this world. Thanks for visiting everyone - be kind - purr more and hiss less!
Love,
Powder

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's April Fool's Day and it's also the day in 1998 that my two calico sisters, Puff and Powder entered into this world. Born in a barn and destined to have a incredibly short, crappy life full of disease, hungry coyotes and extreme temperatures, these two gals hit the kitty jackpot. At the same time they were born Mommy and Daddy were getting ready to enter into wedded bliss and the only thing Mommy wanted for a wedding gift was a cat. Yup...one cat. Daddy already had a D.O.G. - a sweet guy by the name of Jordan. A Golden Retriever who was about the happiest, silliest canine around. So after the vows and the short, but very sweet honeymoon, Mommy and Daddy drove many, many miles into the flat and boring Southwest Kansas country for a calico (that was Daddy's only requirement).
They arrived at the farm and were directed to the barn. The people who lived there were not what you might call cat people. They were people who had cats in a barn. A lot of cats in the barn, an awful lot of cats in the barn! Mommy felt overwhelmed. Daddy searched till he found a little calico kitten who was busy chasing around with her littermates. He scooped her up, looked her over and called it good. Time to go, right? Well, not quite. Mommy had been looking around and noticed the ittyest, bittyest kitten (calico) in a bale of hay trying with all of her might to back her little butt into the hay so she wouldn't be noticed. This just made Mommy more determined to meet her and the closer Mommy got, the more this little ball of fluff burrowed and hissed and spit and hissed some more. Mommy was hooked by her determination. Daddy couldn't say no. So, in that awful barn in Kansas is where Mommy and Daddy started our little feline family. Puff and Powder got a great home, and as a result of them being incredibly cute and wonderful, more cats have been welcomed into this family, like ummmm - ME!
So Puff and Powder, thanks for not screwing things up for those of us who got to join you later. I hope we share the same food, bed, toys, windows, home and the love of our parents for many, many, many more birthdays to come. I really do love you more than tuna juice!