Clearly, they leave their fur suit behind. But where does the spirit go? Is there a Heaven for cats?
After considerable cogitation on the subject, I have decided that cats go to Hawaii. There they enjoy warm sun, cool breezes, rodents in the forest, birds in the air, fish in the waters ... and a sandbox as large as all outdoors.
This page is dedicated to our faithful companions, Amber, Chip, and Chort; with special appearances by neighborhood cats Chairman Meow, Grimalkin, Pumpkin, and Bandit.
| our friend | rose | date | web page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amber | Amber Queen | 2000 |
|
| Chort | Paradise | 11 June 2002 |
|
| Chairman Meow | Taboo | 19 June 2002 | |
| Grimalkin | Stainless Steel | 2003 | |
| Pumpkin | Rabble Rouser | 4 December 2003 | |
| Bandit | Fair Bianca | 19 May 2005 |
|
| Dark Tail | Lynn Anderson | 27 May 2006 | |
| Big Orange | Sunstruck | 22 April 2007 |
Amber
Amber
got her name for her yellow eyes, looking like embossed gold foil.
We found for her a yellow rose of a variety appropriatly named "Amber Queen".
Chort
Chort
went to Hawaii on 11 June 2002.
We wanted a bi-color rose for Chort, that would remind us of the dark tips of his ears.
We selected one called "Paradise".
Dennis always thought of Chort as a gentleman.
Here, Chort's rose bush reaches across to offer a flower to Amber.
In consideration of her attitude, we planted Rabble Rouser for her.
Dennis went out in the morning to feed the outdoor cats and saw Orange, stretched out in the planter.
He looked peaceful, as if sunning himself.
Dennis had a love-hate relationship with Big Orange,
because Big Orange fought with
Bandit,
when Bandit was sick and not really able to defend himself.
Dennis took to chasing off Big Orange with a super soaker.
Oh, nothing nasty - just a squirt of clean water to send him on his way,
so he would leave Bandit alone.
And Big Orange learned that lesson fast - just the sight of Dennis would send him running.
Dennis later made up with Big Orange.
When Bandit went to Hawaii, Dennis stopped chasing Big Orange;
started talking kindly to him; and welcomed him to partake of the food that Dennis put out.
It must have worked, because when the chips were down, Orange came to Dennis to die.
He must have known, deep down, that Dennis would take care of him.
Dennis chose a Sunstruck rose for Big Orange.
Chairman Meow
Chairman Meow went to Hawaii on 19 June 2002.
Chairman Meow was mostly black, so we wanted a dark rose for him.
We found one called "Taboo".
This photo doesn't do it justice; the buds are nearly black.
Grimalkin
Grimalkin's fur was light gray, giving a hint of silvery sheen.
We considered a Sterling Silver rose for him, but had trouble finding one.
We settled on Stainless Steel, which is described as a low-maintenance version of Sterling Silver.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin went to Hawaii on 4 December 2003.
Bandit
Bandit
went to Hawaii on 19 May 2005.
Since there aren't any black and white roses, nor even any real black ones,
Dennis wanted a pure white rose.
We decided on Fair Bianca.
New buds are a little pink, but when it blooms, it is a very clean white.
Dark Tail
Dark Tail went to Hawaii on 27 March 2006.
Dennis wanted a rose that would recall her pale fur with dark tips.
He chose Lynn Anderson.
Big Orange
Big Orange went to Hawaii on 22 April 2007.