Memorial Edition: Black Cat Friday

Earlier in the year, when Ollie's blog had a Black Cat Friday, a lovely ebony Oriental Shorthair was featured. Circe was also the last official Black Cat Friday entry, so I felt it would honor her best by posting the memorial edition on a Friday.

Last weekend, I learned that Circe ran off to the Bridge not long ago. Her mom, Margo, told me what happened:

Circe was diagnosed with Malignant Lymphoma a year and a half ago.  We were treating her with chemo and she was doing so well.  The lymphoma was controlled.  But she was losing weight and finally she wasn't eating well and seemed lethargic.  She had ultrasounds and we discovered she had Restrictive Cardiomyopathy.  Her chest was drained and she was put on heart meds and seemed to be doing really well and was gaining some weight.  

The morning that it all came to an end she kept asking me to throw Ms. Purple for her.  I threw her up on the bed and Circe was catching her in her front paws.  Two hours later she suddenly threw a clot which went into her spinal column and was paralyzed.  We had to have her euthanized. 

I can't begin to tell you how awful it has been.  We have never loved any of our cats as much as we loved Circe.  She was Queen of our household.  She is buried in the back yard with Ms. Purple in her arms.  Thank you for asking, Donna.  I think you probably know what it has been like.  The large hospital that our vet is associated with was in shock.  They sent us flowers and beautiful cards.  Our vet said they were all crying.  Circe touched everyone she ever met.

She was only 11 1/2 years old.  Our hearts are torn apart.

Our hearts go out to Margo and everyone else who knew and loved Circe...losing a furkid is never, ever easy.


(I'm including a link to Circe's Black Cat Friday posting

NOTE: For some reason, Blogger isn't linking back to Circe's post even though it tested fine. The post is archived in the Black Cat Friday section and is the last official entry.)

Portrait

Circe and Mr. Purple

A Sad and Late Black Cat Friday, 3/4/11

I know this BCF is really late and, unfortunately, I don't have a picture, but I wanted to post an In Memorium BCF for my father and stepmother's Persian, Smokey Joe.

Smokey lost his battle with the rare lepto virus that just doesn't usually effect cats. He'd been on antibiotics for five weeks, and it looked from his blood test on Tuesday that he'd turned the corner.

He did, only to run smack into FIP. Sadly, his immune system had been so weakened, that it looks like that triggered a dormant FIP.

So the sad decision was made by my dad and stepmom last night to end his suffering.

Smokey Joe was a lovely dark smoke Persian cat who was much loved and cherished. He'll be missed by my father and stepmom. He'll also be sorely missed by his running buddy and sleeping partner, Jake, the rat terrier mix who so loved him.

Sleep well, Smokey Joe.

Black Cat Friday, February 25, 2011

Today's Black Cat Friday is.......................Ollie!

I didn't get any submissions for BCF, and Ollie was interested in a horse race replay, so I snapped a couple of photos. He can't quite figure out what's going on, but he seems to be more interested in horse racing than he is a mouse pointer hunting.

I can't wait for him to figure out the TV when it's tuned to the spring classics. *g*

Black Cat Friday, February 10, 2011

Today's black cat is a gorgeous senior Oriental Shorthair who comes to us from Canada.

(Foster Meowmy said if I EVER look at her the way Circe is looking at the camera, she'll know I'm planning some serious havoc and she'll run for the hills!)

 

I live in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada,  on Vancouver Island.  I will be turning eleven on April 3rd this year.  I have been a show cat and got many ribbons because I am actually beautiful, at least in the judges' eyes.  

 

My  name is pronounced like seersee.  Circe was a siren in Homer's Odyssey and she invited men for dinner and then turned them into pigs.  Then she kept them in a pen.  My mom told my dad not to worry because he already was a pig.

 

I am probably the baddest cat my parents ever had and they adore me.  I keep them on their toes.  But I never stop purring, especially when I'm being bad.

 

 

I have a nice family of other cats, Oshes and Siamese and we all love each other and play and sleep together, on our parents bed, of course.  

 

We are strictly indoor cats, bought from a breeder with a contract.  But we have a beautiful large sundeck that we go out on in the nice weather, that is screened in to protect us from Eagles.   

 

We are very happy and very spoiled.  I bet you are too.

 

Love, Circe

Black Cat Friday, February 4, 2011

Today's black cat is a lovely black oriental shorthair from New York.

Ramsey was Janine's first OSH, and her only black one.









Name- Ramsey

Mom-Janine

Location-New York, New York

 

 

Black Cat Friday, January 28, 2011

Today's Black Cat comes to us from Ohio. And there's a blog to visit, too!








My name: Mozart
Human Name: Jeanne
Location: Ohio
Blog: http://randomfelines.blogspot.com/

About me: I was a foster failure - mom fostered me and "failed" to return me to the shelter.  I got a nasty eye infection that caused a scar on one eye, but it doesn't bother me most of the time.  When it was time for me to go back to the shelter, mom was sure that no one else would love a 5 month old male black cat that might have to lose an eye as much as she loved me.  So I got to stay.  I am now 4 years old.  I love to snuggle and let mom rub my belly.  She calls me her lover boy.  :)

Black Cat Friday, January 21, 2011 - Bridge Baby

Today's Black Cat is another Bridge Baby.

Asbury was much loved by Karen, and they moved to New Jersey from Canada.

Karen says:

This is Asbury.  My name is Karen.  We are Canadian transplants who moved to NJ. 

I am writing because I belong to a CRF group that Laura, Jet Dragon's Mom belongs to.  My sweet little boy Asbury passed away at the end of October after a battle with CRF.  He was 13.

The Asbury younger file was taken when he was a hearty lad who weighed in above 15 pounds.

This was taken just a few days before he passed when he looked more brown than black, but believe me he was a magnificent black, fuzzy, long-haired beauty with eyes so clear and green that they did not seem real.

I always called Asbury my Golden Heart Guy because there was no one sweeter.  In his younger years he was fiercely independent, asking for so little from me.  It was only in his later years that he realized that I wasn't so bad and began to spend more time with me.  He was someone who took things as they came; he rarely complained and was silent about his needs.

His mysterious ways made him a bit of a puzzle to solve, and I so enjoyed it when I found a key to some locked-up joy.  He loved, loved, loved his water fountain; a small, quiet, warm, dark place to sleep in the middle of the day; a fort made of blankets and my legs; dry crunchy food; a warm fire; to sleep right beside my head; his big brother Rumson; to lay outside in a sunny spot on a summer day.

For such a little guy, he took up so much space in my heart.  There was nothing more calming than sitting with him, his sweet soft-eyed glances, his thundering purr, and his warm little body.

I miss my boy so, but I can also take joy in the fact that this magnificent and beautiful boy made my life so much better just by being himself and by being by my side for so many wonderful years.

Sweet bear, may you rest.

Black Cat Friday, January 14, 2001

Today's Black Cat is a very special little guy from the New York City area with a pretty amazing backstory.

(My apologies. I originally had Fuzzy listed as a "lady" and he's a "gentleman cat!" Sorry about that!)

 My name's Fuzzy, or Da Fuzz, or sometimes just Fuz. I'm about 16 years old and I live with my owners, Arlene and Mark, in the NYC area.














I've got a big tough looking scar on my forehead from a fire, where I was found by a fireman and brought to a shelter. The first shelter thought I couldn't be saved, but I was taken in by another shelter who nursed me back to health.

Last year I lost my left ear to cancer, but I'm doing okay now.

I'm my mom's first pet. When she met me, she wasn't sure which of us in the shelter she was going to adopt, so when her friend picked me up I reached both my paws out to her to let her know it was going to be me.

I now live with her and my dad, who gives me a special resting spot on his chest when I just want to hang out. He also cleans my ears for me every morning when I jump on the toilet. At night I crawl into bed with my mom and sleep in a special spot over her head. Sometimes I groom her hair just to let her know how much I love her.

And no, I don't have a weight problem. I'm just big boned.

Black Cat Friday, January 7, 2011

Today's Black Cat is a lovely little tuxie gal who comes to us from Arizona. Her name is Mittens, and is loved and cared for by Bryan.










Bryan says:

Mittens is mostly black only white underneath. Here are a couple pics of her.

One is her playing in her fort with another cat, the other one is a portrait of her. Her nick name is Momma Mittens because she cleans and cares for the other cats. She is very patient and gentle with the others.

Mittens likes her food as she is the fattest one in the house, she has not met a meal that she does not like. She was a stray that showed up and stuck around.

 Bryan also gives us a bit more on her:

Shortly after she showed up and decided to stay she got pregnant, I did not have the funds to have her spayed. Barely had $35 to drop her off at the Humane Society. I felt guilty after gaining her trust to just abandon her like that. Well the next month they had an adoption special for adult cats (over a year) for $15 so I ran down and got her back.

 She has been distant since I brought her back. I think she turned to food for affection and that is why she is so fat. It might also explain why she mothers the other cats. That is why her nickname is Mamma Mittens. She does spend a lot of time with me at the computer. Her 2 favorite sleep spots are in the closet and in a box.

 

Black Cat Friday - New Year's Eve 2010 Edition

 Today's handsome black cat is coming to us from Sacramento, California!





Hi. I'm Carlos.

Many months ago my brother Monk got HIS picture in Ollie's blog. Well what about me? I'm all black, too. In fact, I'm more black cat than Monk. He's got those silly white hairs in his ears. I'm the baby of the family. And well, Monk is the boss. But mom says that Monk looked a lot like Ollie before Monk got so f-a-t.

Mom rescued me from a baaad situation when I was a kitten. She says we're both lucky she found me. Oh yeah, we live near Sacramento...whatever that means.

Here I am on my favorite window ledge.

Monk is letting me stay on the ledge with him. That's him in the front taking up all the space.

Here's me in front of some really bright lights. They were so nice and warm!

Black Cat Friday, December 24, 2010

Today's Black Cat is Blackie and she comes to you from Arizona.











Blackie belongs to the neighborhood, but Bryan has taken special care of her...getting her fixed, etc...and now she swings by to grab a meal.

From Bryan:


She is not really my cat but one of the several neighborhood strays that I feed and care for. I had her spayed when she showed up pregnant. She is very playful and loves to be cuddled, but only stops by mainly to eat. During the heat of the day she likes to come in and sleep all day. (we live in hot sunny AZ)

I call her my rag doll, because when you pick her up she goes limp and starts purring. Very sweet and gentle cat.

A Sad Black Cat Friday Post - December 17, 2010

Back in August, Jet Dragon, a beautiful black Devon Rex was a Black Cat Friday honoree.

Sadly, Jet went to the Bridge a few days ago. When Laura told me, Ollie and I decided we wanted to do a little something to honor his memory, so I'm reposting his photos from August along with a new one of Jet snuggling with Venus. Laura also sent in a write-up, so that is included, too.

My heart goes out to Laura, who lost two her two Devon babies this year. I've lost two dachshunds within a matter of months, and I know just how horribly hard it is to deal with.

My beautiful, loving Devon Rex baby boy is gone.  Jet came to me as a kitten in December 2000.  I'll never forget meeting those big green eyes looking out of the carrier.  It was love at first sight for both of us.  Rambunctious and playful, he never lost his youthful spirit.  He loved playing with mice and lattice bell balls, which I would throw and he would fetch back.  A big talker, he would always give me his opinion about whatever was going on.  Jet was always ready with a purr, a multi-toned rumble that I loved to hear as he went to sleep against my chest at night.  He met this last brief illness with typical confidence that mom could make it better.  Sadly, though  everything possible was done, his little body didn't have the strength left to fight multiple problems.  I don't think he ever really recovered from losing Venus, his life long Devon buddy in February this year. I will always love you, Jet.

He had been diagnosed with CRF in February, but was doing very well at his checkup and blood panel a month ago.  We had been battling a resistant URI for months.  Due to his sudden and inexplicable illness, the vet later determined that undiagnosed  hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was what caused his death.  He became ill on December 1 and died late on the 3rd.  I'm thankful that he didn't suffer long.  He is now with his friend, Venus, at Rainbow Bridge.  They are happy, healthy, and snuggling once again, now and forever.

~ Laura

Black Cat Friday News

I have no black cat submissions for today's BCF. Not sure how I'll end up revamping this, but it looks like I'll need to. If any of you have a black cat you'd like to see posted here, take a look at this link for directions on how to submit a picture.

BCF Submission Guidelines

Black Cat Friday, November 5, 2010

We've got us a pair of girls today as the Black Cat Friday feature. :)

Their story:

We are two all (and we do mean ALL) black kitties, named Anne Bonny & Mary Read.  (after a couple of 18th Century pirate girls)

We blog (a little) at Lee County Clowder (http://leecountyclowder.blogspot.com/) and live in the Midwest (Iowa).

Our gotcha story played out pretty much real time on our blog, starting here, through here, here, and ending here.

If you want the Cliff Notes version, there is a vacant lot across the street, with some fields behind that.  People goes back there on some side roads, and dump cats, dogs, and probably other things.  He kept some food outside for his own kitties, and we started sneaking by to eat there ourselves.  Eventually, we managed to convince Dad he needed to adopt us.

 

Anne Bonny & Merry Read

Black Cat Friday, October 29, 2010

 

Sadly, folks, there's no Black Cat Friday today. I ran out of photos, so there's nothing to post.:(

Black Cat Friday, October 22, 2010

Today's Black Cat is Floyd. Floyd is a Bridge Baby who was much loved by Amy.

Amy  at http://houseofcats-amy.blogspot.com says - 

He was a big black cat, but one of the sweetest cats you could ever meet. And he was also the peacemaker in the house - and always first to befriend a new kitty in the house.