~ Cats Who Love Christmas ~
It was with a heavy heart that I pulled the Christmas decorations from the storage closet this year.
To many people this will sound insane, but animal lovers will understand. For seven years Riley SweetPea was with me for Christmas. There were two years it was just the two of us. He loved the tree and he opened his own gifts on Christmas morning. This is the absolute truth. A cat that loved Christmas!
We lost Riley in July of this year. He died too young and is missed every day. Joey and I still tear up when we talk about him. One night at the beginning of December I opened the closet door to get the decorations out. I pictured him last year, jumping on the containers, waiting for the excitement to begin. I closed the door and cried for an hour.
I feel for people who have lost loved ones, and will miss them terribly at Christmas. To me, Riley was family and this has been a tough month. A few nights ago I put my feelings aside and started to decorate.
Well, it seems that Binky is a huge fan of the holiday too. She was into everything, lying under the tree, climbing in the boxes. Some of you may think that all cats are the same. Let me assure you, they are all unique. Rory Beanie loves Christmas music and loves to lie in a pile of bubble-wrap while I put things together. She has no interest in interacting or getting into things. She never did. Even as a kitten she watched as Riley got into things. The other night she watched Binky wreck the place.
I am relieved that Binky is breaking glass balls and into everything. Christmas is a time for celebrating and being happy. Many people are sad this time of year – due to expectations not met. The cold wet weather has me riddled with pain and house bound for days at a time. I am the “Cat Lady,” these little furries keep me company all day. They are much better company when they are interactive.
Riley will never be replaced. He was with me through the years following my car wreck. He never left my side when I was sick. He wore seasonal outfits and loved to have his picture taken. That being said: if ever there was a Riley clone it is Binky. The minute I opened the closet door, she was in there. Her days are spent napping with me, climbing the Christmas tree, breaking glass balls, napping, climbing the Christmas tree, breaking glass balls, trying to rip down the stockings, and napping. There are also breaks for pooping and eating. Her life is full. Beanie and I watch her, we both growl at her daily, and we both love her.
So the tree is up, after three days there are no ornaments left on the bottom third of it. Yet, it feels like Christmas because a small creature is very excited. That’s really all I need to make the season bright!
PART TWO:
Since it is Christmas, Hanukkah, the Holiday Season: the Ladies over at Visual Chronicles are having a gift giveaway! For your chance to WIN and AUTOGRAPHED copy of MEETING IN THE LADIES ROOM, or a piece of ART from Linda Woods, simply let the ladies know what you had for lunch (they love food) by December 20th: CLICK HERE TO ENTER
12/15/2009 at 10:05 pm
You and I both lost our beloved kitties this year and we also have new additions! I get it….I soooo get it!! xoxo
12/15/2009 at 10:09 pm
Awwww, I love your stories about the kitties, I wish we had more than one, but I am determined at some point to get Tom a buddy one day….I’m so glad that Binky appears to love Christmas as much as Riley did, I’m glad she brings smiles to your face again….The one thing no one can take away from you are the memories of Riley that you’ll always have & can take comfort in them
12/15/2009 at 10:17 pm
I fully understand. I have 3 cats inside that love to terrorize my tree. They make mad dashes around the bottom, sometimes up and down the inside and sometimes not. It’s like a derby for them. As they run out my Yorkies chase them across the room. Never a dull moment once the tree goes up. Never a moments peace either.
I’m so sorry about the loss of Riley. I understand how much people love their pets because I love mine just that much.
12/15/2009 at 10:22 pm
I love the photos! You captured the different personalities of the kitties perfectly.
I, too, totally get it about Riley. I know you miss him and I think he’s watching you from UP THERE in the fluffy clouds
12/15/2009 at 11:03 pm
Thank you all, Ladies. I have had cats my whole life and loved them all. I love the two girls I have now. But Riley was a special little guy. He seemed more human than lots of humans. He got me through the worst life things I’ve faced. He will always be in my heart and soul. I can’t imagine a day where I won’t miss him.
He even managed to get himself into MEETING IN THE LADIES ROOM. I kept removing him from a shoot. He kept following the camera… in the end – he got in a few shots, and auntie Linda loved them. So our boy infiltrated a book about women
xo
12/15/2009 at 11:06 pm
I can totally relate when you said cats have their own personalities as our late Miss Stush Simba passed last month, wrapping the Xmas gifts was not the same without her getting in the boxes no matter how big or small, trying to jump on the wrapping paper as I roll it out to measure and best of all waiting for the empty roll of wrap so I could beat her with it lol my S&M cat who loved it and rolled around lifting her ass and running across the room at the sight of the empty tube roll … rest in peace my best companion..
12/15/2009 at 11:13 pm
I’m sorry you lost your girl, Jackie
We all get it: Animal lovers. We are blessed to be loved by them. I think they teach us a lot.
xo
12/16/2009 at 12:10 am
I get it.
I’m so sorry that you lost part of your family this year. I know you are feeling it at the holidays. You are SO RIGHT about cats having their own personalities; we have three and they are as different as can be.
Enjoy getting to know the newest member of your family even better! Scritch on her for me!
12/16/2009 at 2:45 am
This is a special posting, Pam, thanks for it. I’ve never had a pet, but my sister lost her rabbit a month ago, and she felt as if she had lost her best friend. I hope you have a wonderful holiday with the furries! x
12/16/2009 at 4:24 am
I lost a loved one this year and dreaded facing the holiday season; I went through the motions for the sake of the kids, pulling out decorations and making the place look festive. Had a quiet private meltdown in the storage room at one point then carried the last of the big boxes upstairs. Our usually lethargic 8 yr old fat cat was all over me and the decorations, rubbing herself on ornaments till they bounced off the tree, dribbling breakables down the hall like a professional soccer player, chewing on bows and even the extension cord. Had visions of a National Lampoon style kitty explosion, she tormented the heck out of me. Had to remove the candy canes from lower brances after finding some with teeth marks.
She has sat by my side every evening since then and I honestly think she just knows I need the distraction and company. She has never shown this much interest in the tree or even me! I happily accept her attentiveness and even peskiness. This being the case I have resisted dressing her up in a Christmas outfit, but I was tempted. Animals just know when we need a bit of company and know how to make us smile
12/16/2009 at 6:36 am
Past losses are very difficult and seem to be magnified during the holidays. Thank goodness for those furry gals who are just adorable and am glad they are keeping a smile on your face. I know mine does even during the most painful and lonely days. Wishing you a marvelous holiday Pam!
12/16/2009 at 6:50 am
I completely understand.
One of my kitties died in August, and having had him since he was born 15 years ago, I still cry when I think about him. On Thanksgiving, I was thinking of things I was grateful for and thought “I was grateful that I had Grubber for 15 years” and cried for a half hour. And now I am crying again.
(I came over here from Linda’s FB post – she’s my seester-in-art-and-the-art-of-being-a-seester.)
12/16/2009 at 7:05 am
So sorry to hear about Riley. Personally, though I do try, I find it difficult to entirely trust humans who don’t view other animals as our “relations”. Mitakuye Oyasin.
12/16/2009 at 7:55 am
I understand where you are coming from. Back in July we lost my lovely Henry cat. Then about 3 weeks ago I lost my Mum – we were not close but I did shed a tear for her. It might be hard for some people to understand but I have grieved more for Henry living a short life of 5yrs than I did for my Mum who was 95.
My feelings go out to you Pam. Have a great Christmas with Riley, Binky and the boys and all the best for 2010.
12/16/2009 at 12:31 pm
Patricia,
Comparing the loss of an animal to the loss of a human family member seems crazy, but love is love. I’m glad you had your meltdown – they are necessary. We can’t keep that stuff inside. I’m so happy your big fat cat is stalking you now. They do know what we need. Animals sense very deeply. I hope she continued to stay close
Cindy, Thank you for your thoughts
Binky has been scritched in your honor.
Natalie, I’m sorry about your sisters bunny ~ They are like best friends, when we love them right. They give us so much. When you return to Canada you may need a pet!
Maureen! Have a great holiday with your furrie baby too!
Soren, Welcome – and thanks for coming over. Sorry I made you cry the first visit. I feel like Barbara Walters. Cheers to Grubber! I think Riley was waiting at the gate to show him around, when he arrived.
Little Sun, Thank you! Yes – I don’t understand humans who don’t love animals. Have a wonderful holiday.
Jill, So sorry to hear about your losses. My relationship with my father was strained at best. I understand feeling more heartbroken over Henry. We love those beings closets to us, deeply. I also cried for my father – but bawled for Riley and still do. It’s hard to miss what was never good. It’s easy to miss what was unconditional love. It doesn’t make us wrong ~ it makes us human. I wish the best to you and yours as well.
12/16/2009 at 12:55 pm
Pam – totally get it. I have kitties but really miss Mel, my white-capped Pionus parrot, who I loved for 15 years. he got sick when I boarded him and it still hits me two years later. So glad you have such wonderful memories of Riley and others to help lighten the day.
AND, CONGRATS on a fantastic book!!!!!!!
12/16/2009 at 1:47 pm
Loved the post, Pam. Ex and I had one with Binkys’ spunk: no decorations were safe, slept in her “bower” two thirds of the way up the tree from which she conducted her reign of mayhem and mischief. For a while we had seven felines and it was like a three ring cirucs had come to town! And then they go, and take a little piece of you with them. I think I understand how you feel. Time heals, but the heart remembers the wounding. All the best to you and yours this holiday season! Cheers!
12/16/2009 at 7:43 pm
Thank you for your thoughts, Jeanne! Birds are incredible creatures. I had a Budgie named Oscar – he was with me 9 years, on his last night he climbed out of his cage (always open) and walked across the room to where I was. He could no longer fly. He chirped at me and I picked him up. He snuggled into my chest (which he’d never done) we both knew it was the end. It was sad and sweet. I stroked his little feathers for hours. I loved the little guy. He was a rescue, the crankiest thing ever – but I won him over
Hi Chuck, thanks for sharing your little pack of wild ones with us. I love them. No matter how bad. They do remain in our hearts forever.
12/17/2009 at 9:52 am
What a beautiful “true” story Pam..Sniffle, sniffle.I miss him too.Tears… Thinking of the bearzy-boy now..more tears..Geese thanks Seester,where’s the kleenex. They are sooo wonderful arn’t they!! Love you more girl.. Sniffle sniffle.