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

Goodbye my sweet Mario

Anyone that loves their pet, understand what I am going through. Yesterday, after a short battle of illness, we had to say goodbye to my loving Big Guy, Mario.

To those that knew him, loved this fat lazy cat. He was at his top, a whooping 23 pounds. This heavy feline was 13 years old. He was adorable, sweet and made people smile. His fur was super soft and he had a very loud purr.

When we found him on the side of the road as a kitten, he was a frightful sight. Barely alive, starved and sick. I saw him and was relieved that my daughters did not. I prayed for the next couple of miles that someone would stop & rescue him. Then I turned the car around and went back for him. He stole my heart. This tiny little guy was so sick. My Veterinarian warned me it would be a tough fight. Mario was tougher and I was determined not to let him die. With my nursing him back to health, he soon became one of the family. He was my cat. He loved me. I think he really appreciated me as much as I appreciated him.

For the first 10 years of his life, he was very shy and stayed away from everyone, unless it was time to eat, then he'd mow you down for his dinner. He always had to get food in his bowl first. He was known for stealing not only from the other cat bowls, but from the dog bowls as well. When he turned 10, we we worried about his obesity. He breathed heavy (just like a fatty) and struggled to get around. My girls and I decided it was time for a fitness plan. Every day (nice weather days) we would carry him to the back of the yard and set him down. He would then scurry back as quick as he could to the house. His speed increased and his weight seem to decreased. He became more active and started to show more gumption as well.

His illness came about earlier this year. We decided to keep him comfortable and spoil him for long as we had. He was a happy cat even toward the end. He never complained. I will spare you the details, just knowing you do the best for your furry loved ones is enough.

The unconditional love that a pet brings is wonderful. I would never trade it to spare myself the sadness that follows when you lose the pet. He has given me and my family so much joy, laughs and memories.

I feel very fortunate to have had Mario touch our lives.