Rest My Dear Rocky

My Sweet Rocky has passed away.
He Blessed us with 18 of his 19-20 years. Back in 1995 I had rescued a frail kitten, named Mario, and nursing it back to health, while also tending our two older cats, Baby and Eastwood. We also had a couple of dogs and my girls were in grade school.  Add the 2 kids I baby-sat, and a Hubby... I had a houseful!
On Halloween night, Rocky, whom had been a stray for a while in the neighborhood, was a target for some naughty boys that lived next door. My Hubby, decided he'd let Rocky stay...just for Halloween in our garage for safe keeping.  Rocky was very grateful. His muscular build with large scarred jaws, curled up on a blanket, purring loudly, showing his thanks for the bowl of kitty chow & water.
I really did not think we would keep him.  He was a big ole Tom Cat! Nothing like my "housecats". He had a little "cat house" shelter on the porch. We did not let him in. I had just sold our home and didn't need the ciaos of cats becoming territorial.  However, during the home inspection, the new buyers let him in... where my dogs & existing cats had a hay-day destoring the house in an hours time!
Even so, the day we moved, I dropped Rocky & Mario off to be neutered and "spend the night" at the Vet while we got settled into the new home. The next day they joined us and found their niche and the peaking order fell into place.

The Boys sharing a snooze

He and Mario became known as, "The Boys".  They slept together, played and pretty much were always found together. 

Rocky was laid back.  He was a sweet cat. He stayed out of sight, out of the way often.  Only as he got older did he prefer to be around people more.
He had a very protective side.  When Hubby worked long hours, Rocky would perch himself by a window... growing (like a dog) at people that walked too close to our home. He was my Watch Cat. Always alerting the dogs BEFORE someone actually approached the door.

He never complained. Never tore anything up or missed the liter box.  Even on his last days, he manage to find the liter box.
His vision failed almost a year ago, followed by loss of hearing and arthritis. He always just adapted... never fusing or complaining.

The past couple of weeks have been touchy. He started a strange cry that we have never heard. But as soon as we touched him, he'd give his sweet, "Murr".  It was as if he got confused...lost. And as soon as we would get him, he'd murr and purr.  He slept a lot. He ate a lot (spoiled with canned kitten chow as it was rich in protein and easy to eat). Yesterday, he had trouble eating... then couldn't get comfortable and rest. He throw up, hard. This either twisted his tummy, intestines, or my Veterinarian, suggest it may have triggered another stroke. Rocks struggled... He couldn't straighten or walk. He quickly grew labored, and showed pain or stress. We made that difficult drive to our Vet, holding and loving him to the end. My Dear Vet, is truly a man that loves animals. He spoke so softly to my old Kitty, reminding him of funner times and spoke of his dear Buddy Mario (whom past several years ago).

It is so awful to lose a pet. They are so generous and love us so unconditionally. They live such short but impacted lives. They touch us and can teach us so much.
Even my Lovies that are with me for the shortest time, I wouldn't trade those moments and memories for anything♥

18 lives ... and counting

Cats are suppose to have 9 Lives.  We have all seen how a Cat  has managed to escape a tragedy.. falling but lands on her feet. Surviving many adventures and mishaps.  Narrowing missing death by inches..

One of my Cats fell from the 2nd floor landing feet first on tile floor some 20 feet below, without so much as a bruise (he rather jump off than allow my niece to "capture" him). He checked out fine & rather lucky from the Vet visit I rushed him too.

I have several more stories just like this one.

Rocky 1995

My Rocky came to us in 1995, a couple of nights before Halloween. Seeing how some horrid little neighbor boys killed a cat recently, my Hubby allowed this big ole Tom Cat to "hid" in our garage on Halloween to avoid abuse.  Why oh why must retched souls pick on Black Cats?  I knew we could not keep this Tom. I had just rescued poor Mario the week before & was desperately trying to save his sick little self.  And... well, we had two other Kitties as well.  How could we possibly have four cats, and two dogs???  
However, Rocky, soon won our hearts over. Especially Hubby. 
He was a survivor.  About 18 months old, and a fighter. He had thick muscular legs, one of those thick necks with big jaws, scarred and fresh battle wounds.  We would see him bravely enter a neighbors garage to fight for food.  This neighbor had 10...yep, that's right, TEN cats. Rocky would sneak in the garage and steal what he could, before getting attacked by several of her males.
Rocky loved the coolness of the sinks. We would often find his snoozing away in one. While Mario regained his strength, Rocky, who was the same age, seem to become very gentle and tentative of him.  Curiously, more interested in him, than our other cats.  We had "the Boys", as they were called neutered and de-clawed together. (yes... I now realize the cruelty in de-clawing & we never would have had it done had we known then what we know now). The boys healed together and became sweet playmates.  They always sleep together. Even as Rocky slimmed down from his Tom days, losing the big muscles, and Mario became a HUGE Fat Boy.

The Boys sharing a nap box in 2004

Rocky mourned his Buddy's death in 2007. Mario was getting sicker & sicker with a horrible cancer. He seems to care and tolerate the rest of the Fur family, but this was his Buddy.

It's thought that Rocky was born around 1993. That makes him 18 years old.  His health is ailing.  I thought we were going to lose him a couple of times.  He is senile.  He has difficulty with his joints stiffening up.  He is completely blind now. And somewhat Deaf. Some days are good. Some not so much.  He loves to eat.  Having several small meals a day of dry mixed with canned cat food (prefers Kitten food). He is able to find his litter box daily. As well as making several trips walking around the house "murring".  He will pur like crazy also.  He is strangely a Happy Cat.  Not ready to go.
He may be advancing in age, but don't tell him it's time for him to pass... he just isn't quiet ready.

Rocky 2011

Luck of the Draw

"Find a Penny, Pick it Up, All Day Long, You will Have Good Luck!"
I still say this when I find pennies. I crack up my co-workers & friends. I don't really believe it but old habits die hard.


How about Four Leaf Clovers? I have found dozens. My daughter Annie has found hundreds. Our home in New Palestine must have been build on a clover lot as we found them all the time. Did they bring us luck? I wonder.


Rabbits Foot? Ewe...really? How lucky was that for the rabbit? You know this "charm" comes from witchcraft... I won't go there.


Fertility Dolls? Another hmmm. Really? I don't think so. Sounds like more witchcraft to me.


Then there are shrunken heads...Oh My Gosh! Is there anything more disgusting that this? It is believed that these were powerful talismans. Trophies of war for the tribesmen of the Amazon River forest. {More reasons that I.. 1~ have no desire to go to the Amazon River and 2~ ever want to go camping again!}.


Some people are afraid of Black cats bringing bad luck. Yeah... I see that. My Rocky was pretty fierce in his day.

Some people think that luck is heighten by lucky charms and hasten by bad charms. Me? Yes, I believe I too have a few.

I think it is lucky to be a Mom.
I think it is lucky to be in love & to be loved.
I think it is lucky to be happy.
I think it is lucky to be Me!