Sunday, December 20, 2009

Sunday Salute - Remembering Callie



*Sigh* I still can't believe my sweet Callie girl is gone. All things considered, it all happened so fast -- about 12 days from noticing she wasn't acting quite right until we lost her -- and it's just been such a shock. I'm not really sure it's even sunk in yet that she's gone for good, since she was away from home several of those days but then came back for a few days. Surely she'll be back home again in a couple of days, right? But no. Well, at least only her cremated remains will be. I ordered the urn yesterday, a rock-looking urn with a nameplate just like Tigger and Felix have. Right now, I keep them inside, but maybe eventually I'll start a memorial garden outside and put them all out there to oversee things (part of why I got a rock-looking thing originally for Felix and then Tigger...just never have done anything garden-y about it since then; I have black thumbs, not green!).

I want to thank everyone who has offered support during this tough time, through all the long days of her illness and not knowing what was wrong and her not eating, offering suggestions to get her to eat, etc., and of course since we lost her. You cats and woofies and gals and guys are the absolute best, and every comment and email and post has been so very greatly appreciated. It's amazing to see how much Callie was loved in the bloggie-sphere.

Of course, I knew what a special and sweet kitty she was. I've had her since she was an itty bitty kitty. Although she was about 2 months old before she, along with Bugsy and Sassy, became a permanent indoor kitten with me and my ex, we had some contact with her before that as well; her feral momma (who she looked just like) birthed her and the others in our garage. We were able to catch the kittens a few times, but momma would always move them again. At that point, we hadn't particularly planned on adopting and keeping them but as winter crept up, we decided to; thus, their December 1 Gotcha Day.

For 6 years, Callie has been a wonderful kitty; never mean, always wanting to spend time in my lap or curled up next to me on the couch. While not aggressive towards any of the other cats, she was always ready to hold her own in a fight if needed, especially against Pixie the Pest. She'd get tired of him picking on her after awhile, though, and would often go hide in the bedroom in the evenings with Sassy (who hides for the same reason). Mostly I think they were just hoping to get to stay in the room overnight, which I rarely allow (too many cats in the house means no sleep for The Mommy if I let them in the bedroom at night!). But, she did get to sleep in with me on her last night in the house and a couple of other nights last week too, so I feel good about letting her do that.

She loved boxes, I've left this one box on the floor with a layer of bubble wrap in it that she adored sleeping in. She also just couldn't get enough of Peggy's hairy blankies, she was on those all the time. She would go outside when we had our outside evenings (a carefully snoopervised hour or so when it's not too hot and not too cold and not raining and so on), but it would usually take her a bit before she'd be brave enough to go, and she'd jump at every noise in the neighborhood -- but then she'd get really brave and get nearly to the street or across the driveway exploring!I had to keep a close eye on her. She was my picky picky eater; she didn't much like canned stinky goodness and rarely would eat it when offered as a special treat. And when I changed their dry food over the summer from 'regular' food found in basic stores to more healthy dry food, I had to go through several kinds to find some she would eat along with everyone else.

She had such beautiful colors, and when caught just right in the sun, she could be truly breathtaking. I'd never had a tortoiseshell or calico kitty before -- thus her rather unimaginative name "Callie" because we thought her coloring was what a calico was! Funny comment, when I took her to Dr. Surgeon Vet on Friday morning, when he walked in the door, he said, "Callie, huh? I take it she's a calico?" And I had to laugh and tell him the story about how stupid I was, not knowing which coloring was a tortie and which was a calico.

I have quite a few photos of her that were in the 'images to use' folder that just hadn't been gotten to yet, and more from the last couple of weeks as well. Don't worry, I won't post them all at once or even individually; I put together several collages. But just so you know that there will be some more memories of Callie coming up in the next few weeks, so don't be confused.

For now, I'll leave you with this one collage of photos from her last few days. At the second upper left, she's in her box of bubble wrap that she loved so much. All the ones on the right side are from her last night at home. And the big photo in the lower right is the very last photo taken of her. (You may want to biggify to see them better.)




Goodbye, my sweet Callie Boo, you will be greatly missed.



PS - We still may not get around to visit much, or post much, this week between this, The Mommy's work, and the holidays. In case we don't see you before then, please have a safe and very happy holiday, and a very Meowy Chrismouse from our house to yours!!



46 comments:

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

This is a beautiful memorial to Callie. We will miss her.

Ivan from WMD said...

What a beautiful tribute. Torties are so special--I am always reminded of my cat mom and litter mate sis. I will miss Callie lots.

Jasmim said...

Oh my! I'm late :(
I'm sorry about Callie, mom and I are very sad
you did a beautiful tribute!

Max said...

She was so beautiful. I'm gonna miss her, and I know lots of other kitties will, too.

(angel) Grrreta and Fam said...

We're so sorry to hear the sad news about Callie. This is such a beautiful tribute to her.

SeaThreePeeO said...

What a beautiful tribute.

We were so shocked and saddened to log on that day and learn about Callie's passing.

We will never forget her and in a way she will live forever in the hearts of those many bloggers she touched!

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

Those were such beautiful memories of Callie and we especially enjoyed the collage. She was absolutely stunning. You gave her a wonderful loving home for six too short years. We will miss her.

purrs and hugs
Abby & family

Lyn said...

Oh I am so sorry to hear about Callie. I have been so caught up in Christmas that have had little time to read blogs and only just found yours. It is so sad to have a best friend die but she will always be in your hearts. I still talk to my old boy, Bob who died a year and a half ago. It still hurts. You have paid a lovely tribute to her. She was a beauty.
Love and hugs
Lyn
xxx

Anonymous said...

Callie was such a beautiful lady cat, and your sweet tribute shows how well-loved she was.

Cats of Wildcat Woods said...

Thank you for sharing your photos and memories of Callie with us. She makes me think of our Chica - we call her a back tortoiseshell since the main color is black. Callie looked like one of these special cats too. Callie had a wodnerful loving home with you for a few brief years. we have lost cats at a young age and quickly like you - it makes it all the harder to come to terms with but you do. Sometimes these fur angels are only with us a short time but they do leave lasting imprints on our heart.

Mishkat said...

This is a wonderful tribute to Callie. We hope all of you are coping - we know you must really miss her.

Love, purrs, and hugs from Katie and the Mishkat cats.

Anonymous said...

So beautiful to remember Callie, she was a wonderful little girl.

SASS....Sammy Andy Shelly Sierra said...

What a loving tribute to Callie and we also loved the beautiful montage. Our mom sends you warm, comforting hugs. and we send you purrs. We all loved Callie. xxxxxxxx

We would like to put her memorial button on our sidebar. If it's not okay, please let us know and we will remove it. xxxxxxxxxx

Cats in trees said...

We were so glad she could spend those days at home. She looks so sweet in the collage.

The Monkeys said...

It's a beautiful collage, for a beautiful girl. I like the middle and top right photo the best. She's so happy to be with you!

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

Lovely lovely tribute to a gorgeous kitty who will bw nissed very much. Hugs GJ x

Jans Funny Farm said...

A lovely tribute to your Callie. She was such a pretty kitty. It is hard to believe when one leaves.

Quill and Greyson said...

That was a lovely tribute to your sweet girl. Purrs and Mom hugs to all of you. Keep your kitties close, they will make you feel better.

Angel, Kirby and Max said...

Talking about her and remembering her helps ease the pain. We want to hear more! She was a beauty!

Teddy Westlife said...

Callie was a pretty girl and I miss her very much.

The Florida Furkids said...

That's a lovely memorial to Callie. She will be missed by many.

Sniffie and the Florida Furkids

The Creek Cats said...

This post is such a beautiful tribute to beautiful Callie. Callie will forever live on in our hearts and will always be a special part of the CB. We will miss her greatly, but know we will see her again someday. It comforts us to know she is keeping our Cal company at the Bridge.
(((HUGS)))

Milo and Alfie said...

What a beautiful memorial of Callie. We will miss her greatly because she was so very sweet. RIP dear little one.

(((((((hugs)))))))

Love from our Mom,
and milo and Alfie xxx

Brian's Home Blog said...

That was a beautiful tribute to sweet Callie, thanks so much for sharing it with us. We will all remember her forever.

Baby Patches said...

Hai The Mommy! Momma says dat your bootiful comments about Callie reminds her of her calico Patches before me and da fings you describes is her calico-tude (attitude) dat is famous among dem american shorthairs.

Thanks you for sharings those wonderfur memories, it couldn't have been easy writing dis post.

Luvs to all of you! Purrrrrrrrrrrrs

Amy & the house of cats said...

What a great tribute to Callie. She was such a beautiful girl and will be missed by all of us. We know it is tough so take as much time as you need - adding in the holiday and work stress must be very tough.

David E. Francis said...

The collage shows the love you and Callie shared. The post is a very lovely tribute to a dear friend lost to us from this world. Callie will be missed; and, remembered.

Dee

Anonymous said...

What a great salute to your sweet Callie! We really like the collage of her too. Mom wanted to say that we mailed a card for you all. It went out on Saturday, so you should have it anyday now. We will miss our dear "cousin" and we know we will meet her one day!

Sweet Purrfections said...

That was a lovely tribute to Callie. She did have beautiful coloring.

Ellen Whyte said...

Oh how sad. I'm so sorry.

Anonymous said...

We're so sorry to hear about Callie! We're sending purrs to you and your family.

loki said...

Beautiful memorial for Sweet Callie. We are so sorry for your lost!

Big hugs,

Loki

CCL Wendy said...

What a wonderful tribute to Callie! It's obvious how much she was loved and is missed by you all. Just know she had a great life with you and is doing just fine on the bridge with all those who have gone before.

I hope you have the best Christmas possible in the face of your loss. You still have so many loving little ones around you, and Callie will be right there along with them in spirit.

Angel Gracie=^o.o^= said...

What a beautiful tribute to sweet Callie. Through the tears the mom is typing this for me. There are no words that I can say that will make your hurt go away. Only know that I am sorry and know that your heart is left with a hole in it. In time you will be able to talk about Callie without the tears and remember the fun things about her. Know too that someday you will see her again. She is forever free to run and play, never to be ill again. She is with friends that have gone before her and will be waiting for old friends here to join her. Know that I am thinking of all of you and my heart is heavy.

meowmeowmans said...

What a loving tribute. We are so sorry to hear of Callie's passing.

Val said...

Oh gosh, we r so sorry about Callie. Mom has been really busy and hasn't let us on the net lately - she snoopervises us. She was a hottie and we'd love to have met her in person. She's now happy, and probably still a picky eater at the rainbow bridge.

Gus, Andy & Kiefer

PS: We got your package and are really happy about the surpises. Mom said you should not have, but we are really enjoying the nip toys! Many Purrs!

Your Daily Cute said...

Aw, I'm so sorry to hear about Callie. I just found out because Baby Patches momma told me, so I rushed over to send you some {{hugs}}.

What a beautiful post for such a beautiful kitty. I'm not sure if you have seen this yet, but someone sent it to me when I lost my Gizmo, and I always send it to my friends when one of their babies goes to the bridge. It is a very beautiful video about the Rainbow Bridge.

http://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html

Callie is in good company there. There are so many of our babies to keep her company while she waits for you. More {{hugs}}.

Meadow said...

I just stopped by and heard the bad news. I am terribly sorry for your loss of Callie :(. That is a great memorial to her, I hope you are doing okay. Purrs from our crew to you and your family.

Poppy Q said...

What a sweet girl, and so lucky to share so many special years with you.

Vicki said...

What shocking news! I hope you are okay. Lovely words in such a hard moment. I hope you have had a lovely time with your family and treaure your memories.
xxxxxx

SASS....Sammy Andy Shelly Sierra said...

We wanted to stop by again to bring more purrs and hugs. We want you to know you are in our thoughts, purrs and purrayers. xxxxxxxxxxxx

JB's Big and Small Worlds said...

Oh my gosh, we are so sorry to hear this news...we have not been around much. This is a great tribute. We are so so sorry and we know how you must feel, since we lost two kitties this year too. Our hearts go out to you at this time. Purrs and hugs to you all.
--JB, Chester, CB, Armani, Gaia and mom Deb

Quill and Greyson said...

Thinking of you, and hope you're doing okay.

Fin & Meg

The Island Cats said...

What a beautiful tribute to Callie! We've all walked in your shoes...losing a furbaby who meant so much to us...it's never easy...

We just wanted to stop by and let you know that we're thinking of you...hoping you're doing okay...and enjoying your Christmas as best you can.

Love,
Wally, Ernie, Zoey and mom Sue

Everycat said...

We just read about poor, sweet Callie and wanted to let you know that we are thinking about you all and sending you all rumbly purrs and love to help at this sad time.

Callie was a super calico girl, a real corker and she will be much missed.

Fly free Callie sweetheart.

Whicky Wuudler & Family

Parker said...

This is such a lovely tribute to a lovely kitty.
(((hugs)))

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