From a Friend

I wanted to share this poem that was sent to me by Ruis's human, Marlene. She sent it to me not long after I lost Ollie. The words gave me such comfort....

Olive

As most of you already know, Olive has gone to bridge. First and foremost I want to thank each and everyone of you who stopped by with kind words, warm thoughts, well wishes, and countless expressions of love and sympathy. Many of you left comments here, at Gracie's blog, and at the Cat Blogosphere. Even though I have yet to write, I want you to know that during Olive's health crisis and the weeks after I have read your messages. It meant so much to know so many people and pets were thinking of us even though we haven't been active in the blog world for quite some time.

On the 4th of July, my plans to spend the day at a cook out with a friend fell through. As a result, I had a relaxing quiet day at home with Ollie. While feeling sorry for myself over the fall-out with a close friend, I spent a lazy in morning in bed with sweet Ollie. She snuggled down next to me on a pile of soft blankets while I donned pajamas and channel surfed. We had a nice, quiet morning but when I finally dragged myself out of bed, I noticed Ollie didn't follow--very unusual as she always jumped out of bed when I got up.

Throughout the afternoon, I kept a close eye on her. I noticed she wasn't drinking, eating, or going to the litter box. She just seemed to want to stay in bed. I checked her nose and it was wet and cold (a good sign) and so I decided to just keep an eye on her. By evening, she hadn't perked up and when she snuggled down in the back of my closet I knew she was in trouble. I put her in her carrier and rushed her to the animal hospital.

I was told she was having problems with her kidneys and that she would need to stay in the hospital for several days. I was able to go back and check on her before I left for the night, kissing her gently on the top of her soft little head. I cannot begin to describe how difficult is was for me to leave my sweet little baby there all alone. As I walked to my car, tears running down my face, the sounds of fireworks exploding over the city of Indianapolis filled the quiet night.

Friday morning I was able to pick Olive up and get her to our vet. I cannot say enough about our vet. She is the most caring, compassionate, intelligent vet I have ever met--this was all apparent by the level of love and care she gave to Opus. There is no one I would trust more with my pets than this woman. I knew she would do everything she could do for Olive, including letting me know when it was time to give up the fight. Olive was given constant fluids via an IV, and I was told there nothing we could do but wait--she would either get better by morning or worse. It was the longest night of my life.

Ollie had had several serious bladder infections this past spring. The vet had warned me that they could be a precursor to chronic kidney problems; I thought this was what we were facing. I was wrong. During the night, Ollie's kidneys had failed to produce urine. As a result, all the fluids she had been given were backing up in her body. She had gained two pounds in water weight. I knew we had to say good bye to her before the fluids hit her heart and lungs.

My mom had driven down when Ollie first got sick and thankfully was me, as she was when I helped Opus to the bridge. Together we drove to the vet's to say good bye to our girl. Once there we hugged and kissed Ollie. I whispered to my cat softly, thanking her for the laughter she brought to me, for the happiness she gave. I thanked her for her constant companionship. For her loyal friendship. And lastly, I thanked her for her unconditional love. I was stroking her and talking to her, my nose to hers, when she left this world. I imagine Opus was waiting at the bridge with his brother Roscoe to welcome Ollie and show her around.

It was hard to believe that just two days before I feeling sorry myself over cancelled holiday plans, something that seems so frivolous now. What a blessing is was though. Because of those cancelled plans, I was able to spend Ollie's last day at home with her. All day. Just the two of us, snuggling in bed.

Ollie was a seven-year-old shelter cat when she came into my life and left this earth when she was eleven. Even though we only had four years together, we packed a lot into that small amount of time. Somehow in this large, crazy world we found each other. We traveled to Italy and back together. That sweet little calico cat helped me some the darkest days of my life. And for that, I will always be grateful. She will live on forever in my memory and deep within my heart.

 Rest in peace, sweet Ollie.

Cat Naps

Dear Friends,
I know we have been absent for a while now. In 2009, I returned to school and found most of time was being taken up by the classes I was attending. I think a part of me had also come to realize that my passion for blogging had faded. There were also some big changes that happened in our lives, changes I was not ready to write about.

Yesterday morning an earthquake hit not far from where we once lived. Some of our friends have already been asking if Ollie and I are okay. So, I thought now might be a good time to write a quick note on our blog to let everyone know that Ollie and I are doing just fine.

This past summer Opus, Olive, and I returned to the States. Our time in Italy had come to a sad and unexpected end. I flew back in June, first with Opus. He was able to fly in his soft cage under my feet. But the people I was sitting with didn't mind that I put his cage on my tray table (he wasn't allowed outside of the cage). He was able to see better from there and get a bit of air. In July, I returned to Italy for the last of my things and for Olive (you can only fly with one pet in-cabin at a time). Ollie was a bit more vocal about the journey home, but after an incredibly long (and messy) trip, we landed in Indiana. The cats both quickly adjusted to their new home, loving the central air conditioning we never had in Italy. Our home is filled with large windows that offer up enormous pools of sunlight, which both cats enjoyed immensely.

Opus lived with us in our new home for nearly five months. We look around now and can see memories of him in every corner. Olive has adjusted nicely. When Opus was here, she often stayed alone in another room, but since his departure Olive has turned into my girl. I can see now that she was just a passive cat who always let Opus have the lime light, but now that he is gone she is taking her turn to shine. I thought I might have to get another cat to keep her company, but she seems happy to not have the competition.

Though we no longer blog, we think often of all the friends we have met over the years because of Cat Naps in Italy. Thanks for stopping by now and again and checking in on us.You will never be forgotten and will always hold a special place in our hearts.

And who knows, maybe one day there will be Cat Naps in Indiana? Until then friends....

Opus & Roscoe~Together Forever

Two Angels dearly missed.

~ Opus~
22 September 1995 - 2 December 2010

Roscoe

22 September 1995 - 9 September 2008

Graphics by Zoolatry

Addio Opus

My heart is broken into a million pieces. Opus went to the bridge today. I held him in my arms- stroking his paws, kissing his head. It was very peaceful. Though I will forever miss him, I know that he is running wild with Roscoe, free of pain, free of worry, young again.

I love you, Opus. Ci vedremo di nuovo....

Taking Things Easy

Just taking things easy and posing for the flashie box.

Dona Nobis Pacem

Let there be peace!

The Bates Motel

Hope you all are having a Happy Halloween. We are trying to get to a Halloween party, everyone is invited, given by Castlel Felinestein but have run into a little bit of trouble as right now our vehicle has failed us.

Olive feels very afraid and says that she feels like we are being watched. I keep trying to tell her not to worry as we are right by a motel and if I cannot get the van up and running we can go inside and make a phone call to AAA for a tow.

If all goes well we should be there in no time at all and we can visit more then.

Hopefully, we won't be too late.

Toctober

Showing our tocks in celebration of Derby's birthday!

Aunt Gracie & Opus

Olive

Wishing Derby the best on his birthday!

Opus's Sweet Sixteen

Today is my 16 birthday, and Olive and I were spending a quiet morning sharing memories of the years that we have spent together. Olive is a wonderfu little nurse, and she and the human have been keeping an keen eye on me make sure I take all of my meds in order to get my health back on track. I thought the day was going to be a quiet one but I was wrong . . .


. . . Ollie teleported us over to our Aunt Gracie's place where I found out my friends were throwing a surprise birthday party in my honor. Jan's FF gang was there along with Momo, Asta, Karl, Ruis, and of course Aunt Gracie.


The party will last all day and everyone is welcome. Please head on over to help celebrate with us.



NEW ADDITION TO THE POST....




Thank you to all my friends who sent cards, gifts, left comments or stopped by Gracie's to join in on my party fun. This party has been the highlight of my troubled year and I am so blessed to have so many furry friends who love and care about me. Thank you for making my 16th birthday extra special!

Of course I couldn't let the day go by without mentioning my best friend and brother Roscoe; today was also his birthday. It still seems strange to wake up in the morning without having him sleeping by my side. Though I love Ollie with all of my heart, there will always be a part of my heart missing; I believe Roscoe must have taken that piece of my heart (and part of my human's heart) with him when he went to the bridge. We have lost a lot of friends over the years, and though we miss them all dearly it makes me happy to think that they are celebrating today with Roscoe somewhere over the Rainbow Bridge.

The party is still going on over Gracie's. If you haven't been there, be sure to stop on by and join us in a slice of cake!

A beautiful massage chair to get the old bones a good rub. Thanks to my bestest buddy Karl and all of my friends at the Cat Realm!


Italian chocolates from my friends at The Cat Realm


Come join in on the fun! We will cutting the beautiful cake baked by the lovely Asta!

Happy National Pirates' Day

Arrrrrr! Today is National Pirates' Day! We hope you all get into the spirit and throw on your best pirate outfit. Wishing all our scallywags a wonderful day! Now get out there and loot, pillage and plunder, and be the best darn, rottenest pirate you can be!

(photo by Gracie. Thanks Gracie!)

OPUS UPDATE: After 8 days of apparent good health Opus has taken a turn for the sick. He is feeling a little under the weather so we are heading off the vet's in an hour to see what we can do to fix him up. I just want to make sure he isn't getting dehydrated. Thank you ALL for your kind words, well-wishes, and loving purs. I will let you know what the vet has to say when we get back.

NEW UPDATE: Opus went to the vet this morning. They gave him some IV fluids, a shot to stop the nausea, and even a bath to help clean him up. The vet has changed his medicine again in hopes that we will find the right medicine at the right dose to keep Opus healthy. When we got home he ran to his food bowl and chowed down like a hungry little pirate. I think it is a good sign!

GOOD NEWS!

While I have been away relaxing with my friends in Bora Bora the human has been in touch with the vet. It turns out that I have high levels of bacteria in my intestines which is preventing me from absorbing the nutrients from my food. This is probably the cause of my weight loss and the terrible state that my fur is in. I will be put on three different medications which SHOULD take care of the problem. I will go to the vet's in a month from now to see if the meds are working their magic.

Due to personal reasons my human has been neglecting our blog and email account. During this time Ollie and I have missed our friends dearly. It really warms our hearts to know that you all still think about us and check in on in spite of our absences in the blog world. Once I am feeling better I will have to give my human a kick in the pants in an effort to get her back to working on our blog.


To our friends old and new, thank you for stopping by to check in on me. Your thoughts, prayers, and kind comments mean the world to all of us.
Love,
Opus

A Little R & R

My silly human doesn't understand that when I am feeling under the weather I don't need to be rushed off to some doctor but rather I just need a little rest and relaxation. While the human is sitting at home nervously awaiting my test results, I have taken off to Bora Bora with the gang. If anyone needs me, you know where to find me!

(photo by Gracie)

Needing Your Purrs

I have been under the weather for a while and today, Thursday, went to the vet for a bunch of tests. Keep me in your thoughts that the tests will come back with good results. My mom is takiang the bestest of the best care she can.

A Halloween Party Today!

In the sky l-r: Karl & Opus

In back l-r: Ruis & Momo

In front l-r: Asta & Gracie

Our Aunt Gracie is hosting a Halloween Party today. Everyone is invited. Hope to see you there!!!

A Party Invitation!

Gracie is having a Halloween Party and everyone is invited! Hope to see you there.

Grandpa's Surprise Party

Hey, guess what? We are heading over to the states to help celebrate our grandpa's birthday! Gracie, our aunt, along with Steffano is hosting a surprise party. Everyone is invited. Hope to see you there.

Wordless Wednesday

Olive's 8Th Birthday Party!

Welcome friends to my birthday party. My dear brother, Opus, is throwing a sock-hop for me in celebration of my 8th birthday! What a wonderful surprise.



Please come in and make yourself at home. There are plenty of cold, fountain cokes, juicy hamburgers with french fries and all the old fashioned ice cream sodas you can drink!

The gang is already inside waiting for you.

Karl, Ruis, Asta, Gracie, me, Opus, and Momo

(photo by Gracie)

We have some great oldies playing on the jukebox and tons of room to dance.

(photo by Gracie)
Karl and Gracie made a beautiful cake! It is so pretty that I almost hate to cut it! But it sure does look yummy!

(cake by Gracie and Karl)

Here is a beautiful birthday card from sweet friend, Momo.

And another wonderful card from my dear friends at The Cat Realm

(Karl's family)

This beautiful card just arrived from Indiana. It is from Miss. Gracie!


And this wonderful card came from dear friends Samantha, Clementine & Maverick.



Thank you all so much for your thoughtful and creative cards! I just LOVE them!!!!!

Stay as long as you like. The diner is open 24 hours a day and the party will be going on all weekend.

(a gift from Karl & Ruis)

Now let's go rock around the clock!

Tomorrow: Surprise Party for Olive

Grab your varsity sweaters, your poodle skirts, and your cat-eye glasses and help us celebrate! It's Olive's birthday and we are throwing her a suprise sock-hop!

When Olive was adopted at the shelter, we were told that she was seven. Since we don't know the exact date of her birthday we have decided to make her "Gotcha Ya" day her offical birthday since that is the day her second life began.

The party will start tomorrow and will go on through out the weekend. Stop by when you have a chance to enjoy some hambugers, french fries and ice cream sodas! The juke box will be on and we will be waiting for you!