Mr. Hendrix the Kitty. The Best Cat.

I am finally posting a tribute to my dear kitty. I have had trouble really accepting that Hendrix died. Although I knew he had FIV, I really felt like I’d be helping him to the Bridge at age 19 with his VET, his daddy and the kids all saying “Wow, what a good long life this guy had. We gave him great treatment, great love and that made a big difference.” I guess there is guilt. Like the stresses in our home brought about the heart issues and that is what brought the FIV to the forefront. I am very overdue for posting a tribute to my sweet kitty on this blog. I guess I feel like this blog is bigger, more important, than a post on my Facebook page.
 It was through this blog that I found a fun and creative voice through Hendrix. I feel like our blogging friends will get this more. Not because our friends and family (outside of blogging) don’t love furries, or didn’t love him, but because of that voice we all find through our fur babies. It is just different. Special.
So here it goes.

Dear Mr. Hendrix the Kitty. The Best Cat.

Thank you. Thank you for everything. Your daddy and I were married in Sept of 2013, but we didn't become a family until you. That November (11/3/2004) driving home from work when I saw you on the side of the road. The Universe said, "those people need a fe-LION" and boy did it give us one.

You were so skinny and so sick. So scared of even the stairs. Then with a lot of patience, a lot of love and a lot of treats and catnip, you blossomed. Wow did you ever. We didn't realize how many "formerly feral" posts we'd get from your blossoming. hahaha Such fun. 

Daddy is so allergic to cats. He had that silly rule about you not being allowed on the sofas. Or the bed. hahaha remember that? Within a month you were taking over and he was taking Claritin by the dozen. 

You were my first cat and I couldn't have asked for a better one. You let me dress you up in ridiculous costumes and outfits (although I don’t think you minded dressing like Max) and those silly claw covers.

You did love those minions.

You kept me company while I did, well, everything!

When we struggled with fertility, I could cry around you (you never liked being close to tears and upsets) and when I was done, you’d come and lay by me.

When I was gigantic carrying those two little stinkers, you’d squeeze into the tiniest spot just to lay next to me on the sofa and bed. Daddy and I had to change sides of the bed because I couldn’t climb over you to get to the bathroom and get around the bed! Hahaha, then you followed me to the other side if the bed…

When Joel came along, you didn’t know what to do. We kept including you as much as we could and eventually you forgave us for having him. As he grew, you were always a part of every adventure.

Joel in Tent Wars!

Especially once you realized how much food he would drop off the high chair.

The sticky boy just harassed the crud out of you. You were as patient as we could ask. You also only popped him with a closed paw when you’d super had enough. We got that and we appreciated it. Is it any wonder his first word was “kitty.”

Joel loves you so much. I remember him kissing your boo boo when you got shots at the Vet. I can’t believe how lucky I was to get that on film.

Then the blurpy girl came along and you were like, “dudes, did you not learn your lesson before???” She is a totally different kid than Joel. 

Julia in Tent Wars!

She was not impressed with you. You two were always competing for our attention. If I was playing with Julia, you came and sat between us, if I was petting you, she came over and shoved in. Toward the end, I believe you two had a mutual admiration (or distain) society. Either way, she’d started saying “kitty” and smiling at you, and you wouldn’t jump off the sofa if she was sitting on my lap.

You stayed a part of our family. We never wanted you to feel excluded and I hope you never did. More than being a part of our family as a group, you and Joel found a special bond after Julia was born. For that I will always be grateful Always.

Having you in our growing family was a blessing that I can’t articulate. You added something to our home that we’ll never find again (even when we get another furry kid). 

You gave me a creative voice through your blog, but your blog gave me a gift of allowing me get to know you. In looking for stuff to blog about, I got to know your subtle looks and attitudes very well. Your blog also gave me a wonderful group of dear friends. Now that I’ve lost “your” voice, I feel like I lost more than just you, I lost that part of me that wrote for you. Forgive me if I stumble as I write this to you.

I know things were stressful around here the last few months. I hope you’ll forgive us for the time we missed loving on you. Sometimes after the kids went to bed, we just wanted to veg, not play. I wanted alone time, not chin scratch time. I wish I’d done all of those things every time you had asked, not just when it was convenient. I was always glad that you continued to sleep next to me and your daddy. That way, even though we were sleeping, we got kitty time.

We’ve had a Father’s Day and a 4^th of July without you. Our family photos from those days are missing something (guess what it is! It’s you!). Tonight is the eve of your stinky boy’s 5^th birthday. He is having a rough week missing you. He “felt” you on the bed last night, and when he looked and didn’t see your body, he started to cry. Daddy and I told him we do the same thing.  Your spirit is wonderful and I’m glad to have it visiting but I wish could feel your fur just once more.

We received a gift from the VET tonight. I vaguely remember them asking if we wanted a paw print and a lock of your fur the day we helped you to the Bridge. When we didn’t get it with your ashes, I figured they forgot or it didn’t get ordered. They called yesterday and we picked up the shadow box tonight. It is so much prettier than the pictures show. Green grass inside.

The lock of fur they placed is the white tuft of fur from your chest I always called your angel kiss.

I remember how I’d whisper in your ear that I was so proud of the way you and Bendrix showed so much, um, spirit, at the VET. You shredded those VET techs! They even had a pop up screen saying “tranq before examining” when they pulled up your name. hahaha Such a tough guy. They loved you at the VET even with all the blood. You were something else

I feel you spirit more and more. I see you out of the corner of my eye in a space where nothing else is (so I know a rogue shoe didn’t cause a trick of the eye). Judy (our animal communicator) says you are happy and running around. I’m so glad you’re happy. You’d been in so much pain for so long.

We’ll meet again someday. I know we will.

Someday you and the Universe will send us a new kitty to love.

But tonight, I just want to feel sad that you’re gone, and blessed that I had you for 9 ½ years.

This blog stands tribute to you and all that you gave to us, and hopefully, all that we gave to you. Mr. Hendrix the Kitty. The Best Cat.

Love, Your Mommy