Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Happy Birthday Boys

Happy Birthday Boys 2
Myspace Glitter Graphics

Happy 15th Birthday Boys. I love you very much!


Here is how my 2 boys came to live with me. About 15 years ago, I was the proud mom to 2 Siamese boys who were fast approaching their 20th birthday, and were in failing health - Tinkerbell - who turned out to be a boy and was renamed Tinker and Toby. Tinker was very skinny and his kidneys were failing and at the time, there wasn't much they could do for kidney failure, especially in cats that old. So, the very difficult decision was made to put Tinker to sleep. I still remember it was a Wednesday, and since I was in college and working full time, and still living at home, my mom made the appointment and went in with him since I had classes. Well, Toby could not live without his litter mate, and was absolutely devastated without his brother. They were inseparable anyway, and he spent the days after just wandering the house looking for Tinker. Toby had had problems regulating his body temperature for a couple of years and every once in a while would start to shiver, so I would wrap him up in a heavy baby blanket (like a baby) and hold him until he warmed up again. On the Friday after his brother went to the bridge, I had come home between classes and work, and Toby started shivering, so I wrapped him up, warmed him up, and tucked him into bed next to my mom. When I came home 4 hours later, he still had not moved, so I knew something was the matter, but as most young people who had already lost one beloved member of the family tend to do, I put it aside. I went to bed that night and when I woke up the next morning, I went looking for Toby because he always slept with me and he wasn't there. When I found him, I knew he had given up on living. He was sitting in a puddle of his own urine with a blank look in his eyes. I cleaned him up, and sat and held him and sobbed until my parents came home. My mom took one look at me and immediately knew what had to be done. This time, I couldn't not be there (it was hard enough not being there with Tinker). I held Toby as they helped him over the bridge, and then our vet wrapped him up in his baby blanket, and we took him home and buried him next to his brother that he couldn't bear to be without. (I still cry thinking about my first 2 boys who trained me).


It was a bit of a stressful time for our family because not only did we loose two babies within 3 days of each other, but my brother was getting married a week or two later, and we had lots of family coming in from out of state. I cried myself to sleep many nights during that time because of how much I missed my babies. The day all of the company left, I called my mom and asked her if we could get two more cats because I couldn't bear not to have any in my life, and her reply was that she was already working on it. In the midst of the craziness of the wedding (and I was thrilled my brother was getting married, but seriously, weddings are stressful) she was thinking of me too and how much I was hurting. That weekend, she took me to meet my boys. The breeder who owned their mother always placed the mother and kittens with foster parents so they could be raised "under foot." My mom and dad had already been to the house and picked out two boys, but she said I could pick any two I wanted if I didn't like her choices. My problem wasn't that I didn't like her choices, I just wanted a third to go with them. It was pretty much love at first sight. And home they came. They were 2-1/2 months old by then, but still rambunctious, and they found more ways to get into trouble than any human toddlers ever could. They figured out how to squeeze under the door and then eventually how to open it. They also quickly figured out how to open the food cupboard to knock down the dog food so they could all feast. They are by far the best gift I have ever gotten from my parents, and I have treasured every day I have had with them. I call to check on them every day when I have to leave them for my annual trip to Washington DC, and I am fortunate enough to get to come home during the day to take a short half hour nap with them at lunch. I don't think I could make it through the day if I couldn't come home at lunch for our snuggle. They have given me far more love and companionship than anyone who isn't a cat person could ever understand. So, Tiki and Tavi, Happy 15th birthday! I have loved every moment I have had with you, and can't wait to see what you have in store for me next. Love, Mom

24 comments:

Lux said...

Woo hoo! Happy Birthday!!!!!

Anonymous said...

A very Happy Birthday to Tiki and Tavi. Loosk like you will have a wonderful day full of love and treats!

Felix, Garfield & Jawsy said...

Happy Happy Birthday, Tiki and Tavi!
U kitties and beans are made for each other! Hugs
Have a Grreat day!

Parker said...

Thank-you for sharing that story. I hope that Tiki and Tavi have a wonderful birthday!
Smooches to both of them from me!

Dragonheart, Merlin, Devi, and Chloe said...

Happy Birthday Tiki and Tavi! :) We hope you have a great day! :) As we say in German: Alles Gute zum Geburtstag! :)

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

HAPPY PURRDAY TIKI AND TAVI!!

Woo woo woooooo it's a great day for to celebrate.

Momma's eye are leaking over the story of Tinker and Toby but she finks that they led you to Tiki and Tavi.

You must never remember a time growing up when you didn't have Toby and Tinker -- Mom knows how hard it was to see them pass over to the Bridge.

Purrssssssss
Happy Happy Day you two gorgeous boys.

Abby
Boo
Ping
Jinx
and Gracie

Chance said...

Happy Birfday Boys! Hopes yoo get lotsa snuggles an tweets tooday.

Puuuuurrrrrrrssssssssss

Chance

Tiki, Kirby, and StanLee said...

Happy Birthday, Tiki & Tavi!!!

Gemini and Ichiro said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Wow. 15.

Tybalt said...

Happy 15th Birthday, Tiki and Tavi!

What a wonderful Gotcha Story. Mommy is all leaky-eyed.

The Furry Kids said...

Happy happy happy Birthday, Tiki & Tavi!!!

Daisy said...

Happy Birthday, Tiki & Tavi! That was a really special story. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Liss said...

Happy birthday!

Kellykat said...

Happy birthday Tiki & Tavi. Hope you and your mom have many more wonderful years together.
-Stryder, Scotchy, Sugar and Kelly

Evergreen loves Kilroy said...

A very, very happy birthday to Tiki & Tavi.
Your story about Tinker and Toby just made me bawl. :) Leaky eyes x 10. I'm glad they're at the Rainbow Bridge together.

Kellykat said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kellykat said...

Hey thanks for visiting our blog!

Yeah, Holmes deserved his own cover, he's earned it! You guys should look into doing some covers too.

-Stryder, Scotchy, Sugar & Kelly

Tyler said...

Happy Birthday Boys! That story made my mom feel sad again about losing my sister, Kali. And your mom is VERY lucky to be able to snuggle with you every afternoon. My mom is more than a little bit jealous. Although her new worksite is going to be super super close to home...I wonder if she might not be able to do the same come next Aug. Right now we have her for after 2 pm, cuz she's going to work summer school starting tomorrow.

Our secretary's last day was yesterday and the students left a week earlier. Your mom's must work more days or maybe our secretaries go back to work sooner than she does.

Sorry, I got off topic. Have a wonderful wonderful day.Big hugs to all of you.

Anonymous said...

That's a great story! Happy Birthday to both of you!!! Your mom gets to come home at lunch for Kitty Time? Our Lady thinks that would be heaven.

Max said...

w00t!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Anonymous said...

Happy 15h Birthday, Tiki and Tavi! We really enjoyed hearing your special story about Tinker & Toby!

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

Happy Purrfday Tiki and Tavi. The story of how your mum got you made our mum's eyes leak. You have a wonderful furrever home.

Forty Paws said...

Bless your hearts. What a sad, and then a wonderful story.

Luf, Us

Jans Funny Farm said...

Tiki and Tavi, a very happy birthday wish for you! Fifteen years with your mom. What a wonderful present you gave her - and vice versa.

We hope you had a wonderful party.

purrs and tail wags