My Cats - The Kitten Edition

Dash -
My charasmatic, handsome, and delightful Dash died on New Years Eve, 2018. He was 19 years, and 5 months, old when he died. I adopted Dash when he was about three months old. Dash was playful and very affectionate. He was quite the conversationalist. Though I never understood a meow he said I always delighted in hearing him talk. I miss hearing him meow. I miss Dash's sleeping body on the pillow to the right of my head. I miss seeing him chase the little red laser light around like a maniac. Even during the last few weeks of his life, when Dash was a skinny, dried up, tired old guy, he would still go nuts, and chase the light around like he was a youngster. Dash was alternately known as My Twentieth Century Cat, and as My Number One Bud. When Dash and were alone that one last time, I told him that he was, truly, my favorite.

Milo -
My Milo died on July 2nd, 2022. he was 20 years old> Milo one of the sweetest cats I known. As the number of cats in our home increased over the years he developed a cranky side. I can imagine him saying, Give me some space, man! Still, sometimes he casts an expression so sweet my heart melts all over the place. Milo used to hardly ever meow. When he would meow it often came out in rough little squeaks. Sometimes he'd try to meow, and nothing but bad breath would come out. There he'd be sitting with his mouth open, the meow left sitting on the tip of his tongue. He eventually became an accomplished, though quiet, meower. Milo did not carry on conversations like Dash did. He would jump in the bathtub and meow, and scratch at the corners of the tub. He sometimes meowed when he was dropping a load in the litter-box. I don't understand that. He meowed with a great deal of excitement when I showed him the blue, rubber cat brush. Milo was the cat most likely to be found sitting on my lap. Actually, Milo was the cat most likely to be found anywhere I was in our apartment. He was discretely known as Daddy's Boy, and publicly known as The Good Looking One. When Milo and were are alone, I told him that he is my favorite.

Mr. Blue -
My Mr. Blue died on March 2nd, 2020. He was 17 years old. When Mr. Blue first set paw in our apartment he immediately ran under the bed. He came out, but I could hardly get within five feet of him before he would run back under my bed. He was a tense kitten. If I back up a little he would run out from under the bed, jump on Dash or Milo, shoot across my bedroom, climb a low hanging tapestry, chew on a cord and try to climb into a shoe. If I took a step toward him, though, back under the bed he'd go. Mr. Blue has calmed down a bit, but he is still a tense guy. He will lie on my lap, and sleep with the rest of us on my bed. If I make an unexpected move, though, he will cautiously trot away and check out the situation. I tell him that he has nothing to fear, but that has never seemed to help much. I don't want to give the impression that he is a nervous wreck. He is relaxed much of the time. He's just cautious. Mr. Blue is a great looking cat His feet are big, and he has a long, full tail. From his nose to his lower back he is about the same size as Dash and Milo, but he doesn't need to lose a couple of pound like they do. Maybe that nervous energy keeps him slim. He is also known as Mr. Intensity. When Mr. Blue and I were alone, I tell him that he is my favorite.

Simon - 07/2004 to 12/10/2008
Sadly, my Simon passed away in the early morning hours of December 10th, 2008. I woke up shortly after 3:00am. He was lying on the bed, at my side, looking like he was in a deep sleep. Soon, it was obvious to me that he was dead. Simon was only 4 and a half years old. I thought I would have him for at least ten more healthy years. I don't know why a seemingly healthy, and highly energetic cat, would die so young. So it goes, I guess. I still miss Simon. He was my only cat who would fetch a ball, and bring it back to me. He was the only cat who would do a forward roll, an act that was funny, and, I swear, an act he'd do only when he knew I was looking. Really. He'd trot down the hall way, look back at me, then tuck his head down and roll over. He was sweet, funny, and very affectionate. The last time Simon and I were alone together, I sitting in my car, he lying on my lap, I told him one final time that he is my favorite.

Sadie, Sadie, my sweet, beautiful, playful, lip lickin', chin chewin', shoulder hoppin' delightful Sadie. I found her one night living with some homeless youths. I feared that her life on the street might be a short lived one. So, I offered the youths forty dollars for the kitten. They said yes and Sadie suddenly had a warm, comfy new home. (Well, a neighbor took her in overnight. I didn't want her to mix in with my other cats until she got a complete physical. She got that complete physical the next day, and was determined to be a healthy seven week old kitten.) Dash found her curious. Milo seemed not to see her. Simon hissed at her here and there for about a day. Mr. Blue was pretty upset by her presence for awhile. It took a few days of hissing, and growling at her, before he finally accepted Sadie. Then she was just another part of the gang, sleeping and playing with everyone. I was so happy for having found her. Also known as Baby Doll and My Beautiful Little Girl. When Sadie and I are alone, I tell her that she is my favorite.

 

Annabelle -
My Annabelle died on June 30th, 2020. She was only fourteen years old. The big tumor won. Annabelle was sweet, cranky, and funny as all get out. When I got her she had the worst breath I have ever had the misfortune to smell. Her breath was an 'odiferous nightmare' (thanks Bloom County). It was unavoidable since, when I picked her up, she rubbed her nose against my nose, and licked my face. It was very cute, but revolting at the same time. I learned to hold my breath when she assaulted my face with her nose and tongue. After a few thousand dollars of dental work the nightmare of her garbage breath ended. Annabelle loved to meow. She meowed a throaty meow when she ran, meowed like a crazy cat when I was fixing her food, and meowed when she played. Also known as You Are So Adorable. When she and I were alone I told her she was my favorite.