7 months feels like a lifetime...

Mamma and I do not like knowing how much time has passed since my big brother died.
The 10-15 minutes before his death were traumatic and Mamma replays it over and over in her mind and it is debilitating.

I am trying to be more fun for her so she is not so sad.

I still don't like being held, which I know is hard for her since she was accustomed to how much my big brother liked being carried around in her arms.

Do you know he died in her arms? That was his favorite place to be.

I hope she realizes that and finds comfort in knowing he would not have wanted it any other way.
She is sad because she felt numb as he was crossing. She wasn't even petting him and was only holding him - both motionless. 
A sadness she cannot get out of her mind. 

Today is August 26. Marking 7 months. We have now been living in our new home longer than Stray Cat was alive in it. That feels depressing.

It is a warm summer day, we have the windows open and doors open; screens allow me to breathe in fresh air.  I smell lotsa smells from outside.  Smells I know Stray Cat would lift his little nose to. We are sad that he is not here to enjoy the new town, the new house, and all it has to offer us on such a warm summer day.

We wonder if he can see us from heaven. If he knows how sad we are without him here. We wonder if he realizes how much we love him still and how much we ache in his absence.  He provided both of us such joy. He was such a funny affectionate loving cat.  We miss him. We hope he knows how much we love him - and pray he realized it when he was here with us. 

I try to make mamma laugh. I bring her Verdi daily.  I hide under Stray Cat's blanket on his favorite orange chair. I try to do silly things so I can hear her laughing.  I do not cuddle with her, but I do sit near her every day.  I even go to bed next to her although I won't touch her.  Hopefully, she knows I love her, and this is how I show it. 

Where's Stivali? 

There she is! 

I am a good hider.

Cute old photo of my big brother, Stray Cat.

This is me and my big brother when I first moved in with them back in 2010.

There's a really beautiful song our friend, Lynda, told us about. It helps.  Here are some of the lyrics... and a YouTube video so you can hear it if you wanna: YouTube video

"Honey, I thought you should know, that I'm in a hurry. I've got to move up north, but it's just temporary. I really tried not to lie. But this burdens getting heavy. No, you can't come with me this time, you got your own destiny.

But Heaven's not too far away, I know someday you'll visit. And I didn't think I'd go this way, can I please have one more minute? No honey, I don't want to go, please know that I have to. I think it's time I go home. 

Yes, I can still hear your voice. Sounds just like it did. And I can still feel your hand
When it touches my skin."

Hug the ones you love tightly.

Purr & Paw,
-Stivali.

It did not feel like summer this year.

This summer went very fast.
It rained a lot so it wasn't a very nice summer.
Mamma and I were sad without Stray Cat, and rain doesn't help us very much.

One thing that helps me is Verdi. Who I wrote about previously.

Mamma tries to record me often. And I do not cooperate. I stop doing whatever she wants to record as soon as I catch her recording me. I am sneaky like that.

This is the best she can get:
Verdi & Stivali Clip

Enjoy the rest of your summer, Readers.
Purr and Paw,
-Stivali.

Two Gingers in Heaven

Today marks nine years since this beauty, Kismet, went to heaven.  I never got to meet him.  Obviously, if you can do math, you know why, I am only 7.5 years old (I think).

Anyway, "King Kismet" was his nic-name, and that is why when Stray Cat came around, Stray Cat became a Prince.  Here they are eating next to one another in Ocala, Florida. ❤ 

Now, they are together in Heaven. 

The below picture is from their first day in Ocala, Florida - June 06, 2008.  They were exhausted.  Mamma tells the story of that road trip on occasion.  I don't think I would have liked it very much. 

Today, Mamma lit a candle in honor of two gingers in Heaven.  

She cried, and I let her hold me.  Hug your loved ones tightly.

Purr & Paw,

-Stivali. 

Six Month Mark

Today marks six months since my big brother, Stray Cat, wento visit Kismet and Zoe in Heaven with plans to never come back.

My ma and I have been extremely sad. And ma has been buying things to keep him close to her heart. See evidence below: 

I do believe she considers me a non-human person.

I never knew life without my brother.  I was born and he was already here.  I did not realize I would have to know life without him.  It kinda sucks learning and living in this new life.  No matter the time that passes, it doesn't really get better. I hate how we make notice of the calendar and of how many days, weeks, and months have passed.  Today is six months, and it is pretty awful. I wish we weren't paying attention to the days without him - but it is so hard not to. I miss my brother.  We used to nap together, a lot. Some times right up against each other, but more often like this:

Readers, do you see me? 

Even though ma and I saw this coming, it did not prepare us for the pain which would follow.  We are still sad. We talk about him like he is still here, and he is still here - in our hearts.

You may already realize, I am not much of a cuddler. Okay, fine, I am NOT a cuddler.  I know ma would love it if I would wake her like this  (see below photos), but it is just not my personality.  I am way more of an independent-want my space-type of cat. Maybe one day I would do this for her, but if we are really honest here,  since my paws would not be the same as Stray Cat's fuzzy paws, it won't ever be done. *Sorry, Mamma! 🙀

Ma would be so embarrassed if she knew I posted this pic.🐱

Well, Big Brother, if you have a web browser and internet access up there, I hope you are reading this and okay with me taking over your blog. Give St Francis a hug from me. We miss you a lot.  Life won't ever be the same without you here in it.  

Purr & Paw,
-I was a little sister once.

Why I like Sundays.

Why I like Sundays. By me, Stivali.

Every Sunday my ma washes the bed sheets and I get to help her make the bed. It is so much fun!

 I play "parachute" like an eight year old at summer camp. It is so much fun!

And one of the best parts of Sunday is that I get to sit in a drawer that is only opened once a week - on Sundays! It is the bed sheet drawer attached to our bed.  It is so comfy and roomy, and I wish ma would keep it open all of the time. Alas, she opens it only once a week, and I jump in! It is so much fun! This is why I like Sundays. 

"Sundays are good, Mamma" - said Stray Cat on July 22, 2012.  6 years ago, he was healthy, happy, and a little chubby!

What's your favorite day of the week? Does your cat help you make the bed?

Purr & Paw.

-Stivali. 

Introducing Topino Verdi!

I need to introduce you to my friend, Topino Verdi.  "Verdi" for short: 

 

Every day, I play with Verdi.  He is the perfect sized mouse to fit in my mouth. Each evening, I meow as he is in my mouth and carry him to Mamma. Impressive, right? My ma thinks it is pretty darn awesome that this has become an evening ritual. 

If Verdi is downstairs, I will find him and carry him upstairs.  If he is upstairs, I carry him downstairs.

Now, ma has been trying to video-tape me or at least take a decent photo of me doing this, but I don't like that idea.  However, I did want to brag about it here on Stray's blog. 😺 

Everyone always brags about how affectionate and loving Stray Cat was. How he was a complete love sponge. I know Mamma misses his affection, and having unconditional love expressed that way - but really, I must tell you, he was kind of an attention hog. 😹 Seriously, no one could give that much love - I mean, really, he was nimious. 

And, by the way, he never brought Mamma any presents. Never. 

So, this is how I am showing her MY unconditional love - I am not affectionate or mushy - but at least I bring her a present daily: a topino. 

How does your cat show their love to you? *Curious, as I may need more ideas since I certainly do not want to be held. 

Purr & Paw,

-Stivali. 

Stress and Anxiety are my middle names - Stivali.

Today is the day Americans celebrate independence. They use loud noise makers and fire off firecrackers.  They scare the hell outta me.

I, Stivali, have severe anxiety and I get stressed out very easily.

My mamma got me a pheromone collar to wear, and she changed it every 30 days for about a year. My behavior did not change much, so she stopped making me wear it.

My mamma also got me pheromone diffusers. Her friend, Lisa, recommended them as she had great success using them with her kitties.  The diffusers offered some support of my anxiety, and mamma diligently changed all four of them every 30 days for over a year.  She finally gave up on them since my anxiety did not lessen enough to substantiate the cost.

Is your kitty or dog anxious?  What do you do to help ease their anxiety?  Any recommendations you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

If your cat or dog has anxiety, please make sure they stay in doors tonight during the Independence Day celebrations.  Keep all your windows shut, and put your radio or television on to drown out some of the exterior sounds.

Stay safe, Everyone, and be sure to hug your pet tight each day. ❤ 

Purr & Paw,
-Stivali.