Ode to Ivan
 

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y10...b/8190a888.jpg

I'd like to share some thoughts about my kitty Ivan, who went missing July 9. I've been grieving for him, and I'm -- almost done. :sniff:

--I got him locally from a classified ad. I wanted a girl kitty, and was told that this kitten was, but when I got him home, hmm. . . those HUGE (for a kitten) black pendulous things kind of gave me a clue . . .

--This is the kitty that fetched. He loved to bring me toys, trash--anything, for throwing and would bring them back to me several times for fetching. He also loved anything plastic and crinkly, and would come running when he heard me unwrap something.

--he was a dunker. He'd carry those little pieces of trash, q-tips, etc. around, and deposit them in his water bowl.

--he was a pig! He loved his food, boy, and I think he was around 15 lbs when he disappeared. He "galumphed" when he jumped, instead of being all springy and light like other kitty.

--He had crossed eyes, and a thick, plushy coat. Although he wasn't fond of being held, he was irresistible--like a big, plush teddy bear, and I just wanted to hug him and squeeze him all the time.

--he had bad eyes and would snore, because of his short nose, and allergies, I guess. His snores were so cute!

--He had big, flat oval paws unlike any other kitty I've seen. He had a funny habit of sitting with his front paws hanging down in front of him in a very cute way.

--It's my fault, I know. I didn't think, or didn't realize, that he could get out by pushing that window screen open. And, although he was chipped, he didn't have an ID tag or the rabies tag on his collar, because -- he was supposed to be an indoor kitty. Mistake now, I realize.

People keep telling me someone has him and he's happy in another home. I just wish I could believe that. I try not to dwell on what happened to him, but it's hard.

Cloud, I feel your pain.
I still dream Dylan has come back and wake and feel like crying.

All I can say is while you had Ivan you did the best you could and he was happy.

It's really sad, isn't it? (criess on SG's shoulder)

In my lifetime, I've gone back and forth on the indoor/outdoor kitty thing. I wonder now, if he'd been better prepared to handle the world outside if I had let him be an in and out kitty. But then I think about how unsafe and how nuisance-y outdoor cats are, and I just dunno-

Now I have to think about getting another cat. Shelter kitty? But . . . I really prefer Orientals. I've had Siamese all my life. I'd love to have a Oriental shorthair, or a real oriental-type Siamese. But I wouldn't know where to get one of those.

and . . . I'm not ready yet, anyway.

Ivan sounds like he was a great pal. I understand you sense of loss.

I love the part about him being an irresistible, yet not altogether willing, teddy bear. Turbo is the same way...I cant stay away from him, and even though he wishes I wouldn't maul him the way I do, he still accepts it.

Awww... Cloud, I'm so sorry! You know, there IS a chance that he did find another home. Last year, my neighbor found a gorgeous kitty who had gotten into her car. She's not even sure where because she had been several places with her windows rolled down since it was summer and this is a small town. She put up some posters about a found cat but got no response. She decided to keep him, and she adores him and spoils him to death.

I lost a very beloved outdoor/indoor kitty who vanished after I'd had him 5 years. Oh, I cried! The two kitties I have now are mostly indoors. I let them out for about an hour a day and try to keep an eye on where they are - mostly the front or back yard or visiting the neighbor's cat. I don't like letting them out at all, but feel bad keeping them confined.

You have my sympathies.

:Hugs cloud:

I'm gonna buy my Slick a new toy. Ya got me all misty...

You should! I like the toys from metpet, who are also the people that make the best kitty harnesses:

http://www.metpet.com/

Poor Ivan. Did you check your local shelters to see if anyone had found him and dropped him off?

I called and called, and put up flyers and ads. There's still a (slim) hope. But I'm not hopeful.

OMG they have comets! Now that I know what they are called, Im gonna buy a 12 pack - they are Turbos onliest bestest toy.

:)

I like the dangly toys--the ones on fishing line, and the ones that just have a string coming out of the rod.

Slick's most favoritest toy. Yes, that's a (really old) cue stick with a leather thong (mmm...thong) attached. He has actually 'polished' the end of the string, it's kinda hard and sorta shiny. I guess you could say "spit polished".:p: