In October 2009, a cat I was hoping to entice to come in from the back yard went missing. After not being able to find her for a week, I checked at our local shelter. She wasn’t there, but while I was in the “cat room” looking in the cages, I suddenly felt a pair of paws take hold of my hand. I looked down and there was a black kitten in the lower cage, who had reached out and grabbed my hand.
Oh, my gosh, you do NOT have to feel guilty, TC! You did everything you possibly could for Danny, including checking if other vets could help him, and you gave him all those years of gentle care. He reached his paw out to the right person, and you knew it, and he knew it.
Danny was such a sweetheart. I love the pictures, especially the first one of him as a kitten, and the one of him draped over the towel on the shower door. What a sweet and funny guy. Thank you for sharing heartwarming stories of your cats every Friday.
Goodness, I cry every time I read one of these. But it’s a good cry, because an animal found a loving home and had many good years knowing they were loved.
That’s all they ask for really. It astounds me when people say animals don’t have feelings. They do, and they feel loneliness and abandonment; maybe in a different way than we do, but you’ll never convince me they don’t feel it.
As a family that takes in strays of all kinds, I love reading your stories about taking in animals in need.
Without going into boring ( too late) detail, except for a few years in my 20's I have always been owned by a black cat. We have three now, Baboo being the youngest adopted 3 years ago.
Everybody needs a black cat in their life.
A story of black cats and Halloween. I was in my mid 30's renting a house with a friend. We were both divorced and happened to find a rental in an honest to your god Stepford Wives fucking neighborhood. Everyone was white, really white, mothers at home with their 2.5 children while their husbands were banging the secretaries. Needless to say, they did not take to kindly to my roommate and me, partying, having divorcee fun. My but had 2 kids and I had three cats and tons of friends.
The best part of the year was Halloween. My bud, Lori would hand out candy and I stood next to her stroking Bundy (named after Al not Ted, we're not monsters)and asking each little Damien if they wanted to pet the anti-christ. The mothers were horrified, the kids wanted to pet a kitty.
Bundy is long gone, made the move from Philly to Rochester, remained dumber than a box of rocks. He died in my arms at age 20, Jan. I 2008. My mother died a week later. I loved my mom but have yet to shed a tear. I have wept over Bundy countless time. And I miss him every fucking day.
It's the greatest feeling in the world to be owned by a pet. Cheers, everyone. Kiss your furry critters and your non furry critters every day and tell them that you love them
Thanks, Tom for sharing your love story. Danny is with you every day.😻.
I believe its easier to allow yourself to cry over animals rather than people - I guess we are made to feel it necessary to "suck it up" & be strong when you lose someone you love, maybe that allows us to be sad when we lose other creatures - seems that way, anyhow. There arent memorials or funerals or calling hours to get thru. We can grieve in our own time & way.
Why did I fall in love with Danny at first sight? People call it chemistry. It was his face; his long black fur and the positions he took, which simply seemed to ask that he be held. Danny attracted, TC when his paw reached Tom's hand, and you never gave up on him. After once walking away, TC, soon returned and stayed by Danny's side with love and attention until the day he died. He was Tom's sweet and singular, little Danny boy.
As I sit here watching the “Theater of the Absurd” in congress I have an orange boy on my lap and a dilute torby on a cushion next to me. Both were born of a barn cat, and came to me in the early stages of the pandemic. They are wonderful companions. Thank you for adopting a black cat; I had one as a kid.
Great story TC. My first cat was black, Midnight, of course and he lived with my family for 14 years. Always happy to see me when I came home from school, fortunately for me I was gone when he went home. I still miss him after 50 years.
Me too. My first pet was a black cat named "Blackie". So original, eh? He loved to jump out and tackle me around the ankles. I was entertained. My folks were not.
this one sure got me. the whole thing about him knowing it was time and wanting to be with you. I tell new pet guardians (the idea that you "own" your cats and dogs has always struck me as insane) that, while it's always terrible, the animals tend to make it a little easier for you. I maintain this is because they know how important they are to you.
Oh TC, you really know how to make a cat-person cry. Such a wonderful and sorrowful story. In the end, I hope he peacefully crossed the rainbow bridge.
I've only had one cat out of all my cats, dogs, rabbits & horse - that just went to sleep. The decision (!) was mine on all the rest - always hard, but as we all agree here, its OUR responsibility for the wonderful creatures that come into our lives. It sucks - but after all they give to us? What else is there?
8:40pm And people joke about herding cats?!?! They’re so much more civilized than those yahoos in the House. The only cats that have ever owned me were black. Danny looks like a sweetie 🤗
Grief doesn't count how many feet they have, when they leave us. Mine bring out the best in me, I blame that on the language barrier Words are gibberish, but what I do is who I am. Sitting with Danny that night before he died, told Danny what he need to know, that he was cherished.
From the heights to the depths and back up again. Heights - you adopted him and the pic of him lazing on the shower made me laugh! Depths - pandemic victim (I don't wanna go there). Heights again - he had a better life because of you. The roller coaster ride was worth it. Thanks, TC.
Danny’s story breaks and warms my heart at the same time. Thank you Tom for rescuing him and all of the kitties you have taken in over the years. Danny was a special guy and I’m so glad you found each other.
Oh, this post just broke my heart!! I'm so comforted and grateful that he was so loved in the life you gave him. He was beautiful and so sweet ... and you were the perfect friend! xx's
Oh, my gosh, you do NOT have to feel guilty, TC! You did everything you possibly could for Danny, including checking if other vets could help him, and you gave him all those years of gentle care. He reached his paw out to the right person, and you knew it, and he knew it.
Precisely!
Danny was such a sweetheart. I love the pictures, especially the first one of him as a kitten, and the one of him draped over the towel on the shower door. What a sweet and funny guy. Thank you for sharing heartwarming stories of your cats every Friday.
This story of Danny choked me up.
Goodness, I cry every time I read one of these. But it’s a good cry, because an animal found a loving home and had many good years knowing they were loved.
That’s all they ask for really. It astounds me when people say animals don’t have feelings. They do, and they feel loneliness and abandonment; maybe in a different way than we do, but you’ll never convince me they don’t feel it.
As a family that takes in strays of all kinds, I love reading your stories about taking in animals in need.
I think you were the lucky one.
Without going into boring ( too late) detail, except for a few years in my 20's I have always been owned by a black cat. We have three now, Baboo being the youngest adopted 3 years ago.
Everybody needs a black cat in their life.
A story of black cats and Halloween. I was in my mid 30's renting a house with a friend. We were both divorced and happened to find a rental in an honest to your god Stepford Wives fucking neighborhood. Everyone was white, really white, mothers at home with their 2.5 children while their husbands were banging the secretaries. Needless to say, they did not take to kindly to my roommate and me, partying, having divorcee fun. My but had 2 kids and I had three cats and tons of friends.
The best part of the year was Halloween. My bud, Lori would hand out candy and I stood next to her stroking Bundy (named after Al not Ted, we're not monsters)and asking each little Damien if they wanted to pet the anti-christ. The mothers were horrified, the kids wanted to pet a kitty.
Bundy is long gone, made the move from Philly to Rochester, remained dumber than a box of rocks. He died in my arms at age 20, Jan. I 2008. My mother died a week later. I loved my mom but have yet to shed a tear. I have wept over Bundy countless time. And I miss him every fucking day.
It's the greatest feeling in the world to be owned by a pet. Cheers, everyone. Kiss your furry critters and your non furry critters every day and tell them that you love them
Thanks, Tom for sharing your love story. Danny is with you every day.😻.
I believe its easier to allow yourself to cry over animals rather than people - I guess we are made to feel it necessary to "suck it up" & be strong when you lose someone you love, maybe that allows us to be sad when we lose other creatures - seems that way, anyhow. There arent memorials or funerals or calling hours to get thru. We can grieve in our own time & way.
Why did I fall in love with Danny at first sight? People call it chemistry. It was his face; his long black fur and the positions he took, which simply seemed to ask that he be held. Danny attracted, TC when his paw reached Tom's hand, and you never gave up on him. After once walking away, TC, soon returned and stayed by Danny's side with love and attention until the day he died. He was Tom's sweet and singular, little Danny boy.
As I sit here watching the “Theater of the Absurd” in congress I have an orange boy on my lap and a dilute torby on a cushion next to me. Both were born of a barn cat, and came to me in the early stages of the pandemic. They are wonderful companions. Thank you for adopting a black cat; I had one as a kid.
Great story TC. My first cat was black, Midnight, of course and he lived with my family for 14 years. Always happy to see me when I came home from school, fortunately for me I was gone when he went home. I still miss him after 50 years.
Me too. My first pet was a black cat named "Blackie". So original, eh? He loved to jump out and tackle me around the ankles. I was entertained. My folks were not.
TC, you have wise friends….you gave Danny “the best life he could have asked for.” Thanks so much for sharing about Danny today.
And for…well…that big picture stuff.
this one sure got me. the whole thing about him knowing it was time and wanting to be with you. I tell new pet guardians (the idea that you "own" your cats and dogs has always struck me as insane) that, while it's always terrible, the animals tend to make it a little easier for you. I maintain this is because they know how important they are to you.
Oh TC, you really know how to make a cat-person cry. Such a wonderful and sorrowful story. In the end, I hope he peacefully crossed the rainbow bridge.
The body was in peaceful repose, so I think he just found a safe space and fell asleep.
I've only had one cat out of all my cats, dogs, rabbits & horse - that just went to sleep. The decision (!) was mine on all the rest - always hard, but as we all agree here, its OUR responsibility for the wonderful creatures that come into our lives. It sucks - but after all they give to us? What else is there?
I've had to do that four times. It never gets easy.
No it doesnt - no matter how big or small they are.
8:40pm And people joke about herding cats?!?! They’re so much more civilized than those yahoos in the House. The only cats that have ever owned me were black. Danny looks like a sweetie 🤗
Grief doesn't count how many feet they have, when they leave us. Mine bring out the best in me, I blame that on the language barrier Words are gibberish, but what I do is who I am. Sitting with Danny that night before he died, told Danny what he need to know, that he was cherished.
From the heights to the depths and back up again. Heights - you adopted him and the pic of him lazing on the shower made me laugh! Depths - pandemic victim (I don't wanna go there). Heights again - he had a better life because of you. The roller coaster ride was worth it. Thanks, TC.
Danny’s story breaks and warms my heart at the same time. Thank you Tom for rescuing him and all of the kitties you have taken in over the years. Danny was a special guy and I’m so glad you found each other.
Oh, this post just broke my heart!! I'm so comforted and grateful that he was so loved in the life you gave him. He was beautiful and so sweet ... and you were the perfect friend! xx's