Remembering

In various places around the house, I have pictures of my sweetest Oreo. There’s a painting over my desk (a gift from a friend),  a framed poem and picture hangs on the wall by my bed (a gift from another friend), his ashes in my night table, and a framed picture in the hall with the other family portraits. Isn’t it amazing the impact a dear pet has on our lives? How lasting? How deep? As time goes by, I make it a point to remember.

Found this snippet on a local veterinarian's site:

Our pets come to us as teachers from up above. They embody the power of unconditional love. They chose us individually with specific intention, manifesting heaven on earth with divine intervention. If given the opportunity their spirit will shine, to demonstrate the father/mother/God divine. They hold not the issues of worry or care. Those are the burdens that we choose to bear. Our pets absorb our negative thoughts and emotions. This they do with strong intent and devotion. Though their time with us seems brief when they part, it is all they needed to share their spirit and heart. Pets are guardian angels that incarnate on earth, sent to show us simply our true right of birth.  

Words by Dr. Tamara Hebbler

Remembering My Boy

Today is the one year mark since letting my dear, sweet Oreo go. In some ways it feels like a year, in others, just a few weeks. What an experience: his great, long life with me; the last days; this last year! I have grieved, bargained, denied, felt guilty, felt okay, felt his presence, changed my beliefs, and lived a whole range of other emotions. You learn just how desperate you can feel when you lose something you love so much. It was like losing my parents, but different in ways - it was the culmination of all the deaths into one big, crazy, multi-faceted heart break. The key thing that came of it all is my belief in something after this life. I believe it much more strongly now, because of my strong desire to hold the darling black and white bundle in my arms again - and also just that it does seem to make sense. I've read a lot about NDEs, talked to animal communicators, read cajillions of online reports, and most helpful, read the book called The Soul of Your Pet by Scott S. Smith. It was very comforting and hopeful. I know there is so much we don't know - even in this life that we live each day - and most certainly about the one that comes after we take the next step!

I love this picture of him all comfy and relaxed in the middle of the soft bed. Rest easy my dear one. I'll see you one day again.

Dearest Boy O' Mine

Just thinking of my boy, Oreo, today. What a handsome boy he was. So regal. What was he thinking? Maybe, "Mom, you're always staring at me ... but then I'm always staring at you." It was definitely a Mutual Admiration Society. :-)

O is for . . .

Today makes 2 months since my dear sweet Oreo left his earthly cat life. And what a 2 months it has been. Still hard to fathom he's not returning, and I still make daily additions to the river of tears I have cried. Strange things do it. Shopping near the supplement aisle still draws me in with that feeling of hope that I would find a cure, an elixir that might save him. The baby food aisle is another one. Those meals were all he could/would eat towards the end. Anything black and white - it can be a car, someone's jacket, a painting - I see it and his presence comes shining out of it. Songs. We had a special one toward the end that I would play (by the Be Good Tanya's) - called the Littlest Birds. Here you can hear it and see the video. If you scroll down on this page and click The Littlest Birds, that's the song. I can't quite hear it yet. I used to sing it to him and it made him do 'happy tail.' Another song is the music on the iPhone commerical which they play constantly every night on TV!! It's by Orba Squara and it's called Perfect Timing. It just brings back a flood of memories and feelings.

But, as others who have lost beloved pets, we move on. Alicia at Posey Gets Cozy who just lost her dear black and white dog Audrey says, "one foot in front of the other." She has a wonderful way of expressing her loss and it has helped me. We have to make diligent efforts to get on with life. My heart says crawl in bed and sleep, but my mind knows that won't help matters. I do still think I'll see my Oreo again one day if there's something after this. I hope there is. This letter O is so special and close to my heart.

E is for . . .

Everything about him I just adore...still...and always will. It has been just over a month since my dearest Oreo passed away and I continue to feel the flood of love that he has left in my heart. I had a few moments of thinking I would venture into Kitty Motherhood again, but realized it is simply too soon. I love this picture of Oreo and Saylor chillin' on the rug. Schweeet!

So Many Good Wishes

These Casablanca lilies are the well wishes of our thoughtful neighbors and the orchids are from a dear friend of nearly two decades. And amidst the loveliness, this beautiful picture of Oreo looking down on the remembrances.
In addition to these, there were so many wonderful emails, calls, and cards. He touched many lives and will be remembered always.

A Cherished Soul Celebrated

On Thursday, June 28^th, just before noon my beloved Oreo left this Earth to rise, I like to think, to a higher plane, to a place where there is only love and peace and comfort and happiness. Of course no one knows what lies beyond, but I hope when I take this step that I will open my eyes to the soft, furry face of my dearest friend.
For the past 15 years, we shared an unconditional bond of love. He was always looking for me, and I for him; it was just what we wanted to do, it came naturally. And over my years of living without a “human,” I never felt alone because Oreo was there, his watchful golden eyes following me to and fro – my brown eyes following him – the perfect give and take. His presence was so large, so confident, so incredibly protective. We were best friends, lifelong companions, mother and son maybe. We were two souls joined in a quiet bond, though we spoke volumes to each other. Most nights he would spend some time laying on my chest, his gaze fixed on me, and we would talk, often it was just me thanking him for choosing me.
They say animals choose their owners, especially cats, and how true a statement. When I moved to California in 1993, Oreo was living in Ocean Beach, on his own. His family had moved leaving something precious behind (I thank them for this), undoubtedly because something better lay ahead. I remember seeing him the first time in the neighborhood and thinking how beautiful and charming he was. His little swagger, his big personality, combined with a softness and loving nature that was undeniable. He had been living outside for over a year, with some of the neighbors feeding him. But I let them know he was now a formal part of my family and that they could forgo their duties, that he was well cared for now. And care for him I did, happily, gratefully, like a doting mother, for all these cherished years.
There are so many memories I could write about, so many tender memories. I may share some as the sharpness of his passing softens. But I wanted to post this to let anyone know who may want to know that Oreo has taken his step, and that he is at peace. He will be dearly missed by many, and mostly by me, a person who believes she will see him again. This photo was taken of us by my good friend Sherri.

Glorious Weather

Today is a beautiful day outside. And as my friend and fellow blogger at Foziewisp has done, I too shall escape the confines of work and take the digital camera for a spin 'round the yard. Ah, the joys of working from home (when you're not procrastinating yourself into a tizzy).
I just filmed a short video of my kitty cat whilst he groomed al fresco, after a meal of pureed wild salmon and chicken. From my kitchen to his kitty belly. He is getting only the best of care during these very important and cherished days.
There has also been some incredible growth in the Cleveland sage department. I thought I was cursed because I could never get one to grow. The curse has been indeed lifted and it is flourishing. Yay for sage.

Mr. McFluffersons Goes from Bath to Bed

And why was this Saturday so exciting for Oreo (and me?)? Well, could it be that the Hairy Tales truck pulled up in front of our house, and after grooming the neighbors two dogs, Bailey and Cooper, then our dog, Saylor, that my boy here was summoned for his hour of beauty? Earlier in the week, it crossed my mind that Oreo may have had a potential agenda conflict until I realized his anaesthesia-free teeth cleaning is actually not until this Saturday. Whew! Can you imagine that phone call? Um, Pucho? Yes, well, Oreo somehow double-booked his spa services today--can we reschedule? Yes, the owner of Hairy Tales is none other than a fellow named Pucho! A very nice person, too. I insisted on accompanying my boy through his beauty bath, since he is 17 and let's face it - a TO-TAL momma's boy (and that's the way I like it!). If only I'd had the camera in there with me. Right after the hair drying was finished he was fluffed up bigger than a puffer fish. He had been brushed and blown into such a round ball of furriness that I was pretty much squealing (poor Pucho!), "Gee! I think I need to enter him in a cat show!!!" So sad, the delights of older women w/o kids when their kitty cat does something amazing. But, c'mon! It was so darn cute!! The following pictures I just took tonight, 2 days post-bath. He's still looking quite handsome if I may say so.

Cat Grass, Lounging Labrador, Red Velvet Cake

It's been quite a while since the last post. Summer can make one lazy. Oreo is on the mend, although there are still gimpy days (poor arthritic boy). He's eating his cat grass here, undoubtedly thinking, "where's the beef?" You can see a bit of his new cat smile sans the canines. I find it adorable.
Saylor is enjoying the new deck, here in a moment of quiet repose contemplating the other side of the canyon (where we used to live). Sometimes (a lot of times!) she goes outside and barks across to the other dogs, or so I think this is what she is doing. What could she be saying?
And finally, Red Velvet cake. It is James' favourite, and I made him two this year for his birthday. One for each party. It is a Martha Stewart recipe that is fool-proof. Given my baking skills, this is a testament to her impeccable recipe writing skills. I think the secret is the white vinegar and baking soda that you mix up and add at the end. Perhaps? And of course my new springform pans are the shiz. Baking truly is an art. My Grandmother was an amazing baker, so I have the genes. I think it's something you work on. I whipped up a few blueberry muffins this morning. Yummy. Arrowhead Mills bake mix makes it nice and easy. Has all the basics in it already. And the muffin recipe was on the back of the box. I left out the condensed evaporated milk and just sprinkled a little turbinado sugar on top for some sweetness. Other than that no sugar except for the blueberries. Tasty!

Oreo Explores

What this blog seriously lacks is more about my cat, Oreo -- my pride and joy, okay, my feline son. This picture was taken a couple weeks ago. In the midst of our yard excavation, he ducked out the back door and perched on this stump at the edge of our hillside. Here he's jumping down. Though this may not look significant, it is. For him to JUMP up onto anything other than our low, platform bed is something. He's 16 and a half, so jumping is not really on his agenda these days. But it was this day! I love it when he gets a little surge of energy.