ManCat Monday - In Memorium

Derby, The SassyCat 

10/20/2003 to 12/27/2014

Gotcha'd 5/7/2005

Blogging Debut 11/3/2005

Your life consisted of 4,086 days of which you graced me with your presence for 3,521 of those days over 86% of your life. I expected it to be a longer period of time, but that was not to be.

I fell in love with you from your shelter picture and never looked back. You had such a cute look even on your shelter picture, to which you got a nickname, Smiley Boy, from Calico Mom Toni. The little white stripe on your forehead and your two toned nose made you even more special.

While you had a bit of a catitude towards things, like vet visits, you were still a loving mancat at home. Always looking for a handout, treats to mooch, human food to taste or sneak off my plate. You weren’t a lap cat, but would sit nearby so as not to miss out on anything. You were always around, making sure things were good. 

 I know you weren’t thrilled when I brought Ducky into our lives, but you adapted. My two ginger men getting into adventures and mischief, but never bad enough to warrant any punishment. You have trained Ducky well and have left me in his capable paws. We will both miss you, and with each other get through not having you around. 

I hope you enjoyed your life while you were here. The big sunny windows, bird watching, napping by the heating vents, exploring the dungeon, catching the occasional mouse, guarding the house in my absence. You were indulged with chick-hen, roast beast and other human goodies. You loved getting your share and often trying to get more than your share.

It isn’t only my heart that is empty when you left us. The outpouring of love to us these past few days has been overwhelming and comforting. Your pals and their beans are hurting too. None of us do well when you furkids take off to The Bridge on short notice. 

The power and reach of the internet made you and many other cats household names. We just had to check out the adventures of you and your “furiends”, celebrating birthdays, parties and the unique Cat Blogosphere special days. Heck, you had a whole month “TockTober” for your birth month! Oh the adventures you could get into, all without leaving the comfort of your own home.

I knew you were beginning to show some age, but you were still active right up to the end. Getting a bit thin, but you were eating. Those last couple of days you looked so thin and then didn’t want to eat. Although in reading after the fact about renal failure, there were a few things I wished I had known. You loved to drink and that should have been a clue, but I didn’t catch it. The scale at the vet showed that when you were down to just under seven pounds even with everything you ate. That last night, you even slept on my bed, resting on me. That was so not the real you. I figure it was your way to let me know you loved me, you were ready to go if needed and things would be OK.

So Derby, Derbikins, Derbs, you will be missed. Have fun at The Bridge with all the gang who has gone before. I love you and will miss you. Someday we shall meet again.

 Derby Sweetheart Cat!

To celebrate your life, nothing would be complete without a good send off. So as I read in a recent obituary "the celebration will continue until everyone is happy". Enjoy everyone.