Morning Folks!!
We had 7 pets this time last year. Then in May we lost Pearl after 2 of them got very sicklast November. Last Night our oldest cat “Bully” who was near 10, died. He had cancer and was undergoing Chemo since last November. He had been doing well and then a setback.
Bully had 9 lives and more. He was perhaps the wildest cat ever. We have scratch marks 9FT up a door to prove it. That was his first night in from the wild when we got him shots and got him fixed. Bully was tough and a few months later got into a fight with a possum and lost. The possum bit right thru his front paw. While we had a relationship with him by feeding him for a year, he was a bad ass boy. Claws to match and he ruled the land in which we lived. So getting him to the vet was no easy chore.
The vet and his assistants had to wear rubber suits and masks and gloves to even get near him. He was as wild as they come. Hissing and pawing with those claws. They stitched him up and said he had to be indoors for like 2 weeks. That was impossible. But Alina and I did it.
Funny thing, within 24 hours this mean hissing 'Bully' of a cat became a PUSSYCAT! It was quite a transformation. He would purr and give head butts. But once he was healed we let him back into the wild. Not long after coming back with a huge gash on his neck and that was when we adopted him. Big cat with a higher back than front that gave him characteristics of a fox or something like that.
Last night his time ran out and Alina and I watched him take his last breath. There was nothing we could do as we watched him go down hill pretty quickly. Until then he had been comfortable. Then last evening you can see he was in distress. We decided to take him in and put him down so he would not suffer. As Alina put him in the cage he took his last breath and died. R.I.P. Bully. Alina had a very special bond with Bully as I did with George back in the day but after losing her second kitty this summer it does not get easier. She nursed him daily with meds and hand feeding him and did things nobody would do. On Wednesday drove 3 hours to a special Vet Hospital and spent all day waiting and trying one last effort to stabilize him. She did everything possible and then some. Bully had a great life with us and without our intervention would have been dead many years ago.
Bully on Left, Baby Bully on Right. Father and Son. Both Rescued. Baby was just minutes from being destroyed and even tho I was responsible for saving him, he hisses at me all the time to this very day. Good thing I am used to that. They have been inseparable since his birth.
We called Bully, Mr. Mom because the love and affection they had for each other was something indescribable. When we brought Baby Bully back from the rescue he stunk and was dirty. Bully licked every inch of him until he was clean. It took hours. The reunion before that was even more intense as father took son into his zone of safety and cuddled him. I wished I would have gotten a video of that.
The funniest thing he ever did was the first time he ever saw Freddy our Miniature Schnauzer. You could literally see the hair on his face fall and change color. Wish I had that video as well. We miss you and will always have a very special place in our hearts. You taught us a lot about life, love and a fighting spirit. Say hi to George and Pearlie for us.
Rick Schwartz
Tia Wood
“We have scratch marks 9FT up a door to prove it”
!! Geez. Are you sure you didn’t have a tiger?
“Bully was tough and a few months later got into a fight with a possum”
That was one brave cat!
I’m sorry for your loss. I am a cat lover myself with 3 at home (one looks like Bully). Cats definitely have a personality different from other types of pets.
Jamie
Sorry to hear of your loss Rick and Alina. Thank you for sharing the stories! Hold onto all the great memories.
Morgan
Sorry to hear about this Rick. My girlfriend and I are both BIG cat-lovers and I know how upsetting this can be.
Great to see what a nice life you provide for your pets and the love and care you give them.
We have a 10 year-old Mainecoon that we adopted from Animal rescue when he was 8. We couldn’t imagine life without him so my heart goes out to you here.
I’m still hoping we have another 5-8 years of Samsie (our cat) but we just enjoy every day with him and feel lucky to have him in our lives.
It was nice to read this post and honor Bully. I’m going to have Daina read this when I get home as I know she will appreciate this too.
mano
Sorry, Bully will RIP
Logan
A touching piece, Rick. My wife and I know the feeling. My wife still starts bawling out of the blue over her 19 year old toy poodle who died well over 6 months ago now. It’s amazing how they work their way into our hearts.
LS Morgan
Aside from a few obvious exceptions, losing a pet is the hardest thing there is. Condolences. Take joy in the memories- everyone, give your cat or dog a big hug and treat them to something special today. They are only with us for a short time, but how much happiness they bring while they’re here.
earl
Hey Rick
Just had a litter of five kittens born under my house four weeks ago.I’m not a big fan of cats but now they are in my kitchen. In several more weeks I’ll put them up for adoption.
There fun to watch and with me being a type A they have this calming effect. Sorry for your loss. aloha
Altaf
We are sorry Rick. Pets are innocent good friends who understand everything without harming any.I feel your children,mom and madam Rick will miss it a lot.
Donna Mahony
I will lend to you for awhile
a cat, God said,
For you to love him while he lives
and to mourn for him when he is gone.
Maybe for twelve or fourteen years,
or maybe for two or three.
But will you, till I call him back
take care of him for me?
He’ll bring his charms to gladden you
and (should his stay be brief)
you’ll always have his memories
as solace for your grief .
I cannot promise that he will stay,
since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught below
I want this cat to learn.
I’ve looked the whole world over
in search of teachers true
And from the folk that crowd life’s land
I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love
Nor think the labour vain
Nor hate me when I come to take my cat back again.
I fancied that I heard them say
“Dear Lord Thy Will Be Done,”
For all the joys this cat will bring,
the risk of grief you’ll run.
Will you shelter him with tenderness
Will you love him while you may
And for the happiness you’ll know forever grateful stay.
But should I call him back
much sooner than you’ve planned
Please brave the bitter grief that comes
and try to understand.
If, by your love, you’ve managed
my wishes to achieve,
In memory of him that you’ve loved,
cherish every moment with your faithful bundle,
and know he loved you too.
RICHARD St Cyr
Hi Rick,
Sorry to hear about your friends. Sometimes they are better than people,
but they certainly have there own personalities.
Take Care,
Dick
AlanR
Sorry to hear about your loss, Rick & Alina. Pets bring the complexities of life down to its simplicities.
Joe A
Hey Rick,
Sorry to hear about Bully. Sounds like he was a great cat. I still have my two. I can’t believe how old they are; in their teens. Cats are great company.
andy kelly
Rick
Thanks for sharing. I too am an animal lover. After the welfare of abused children the welfare on animals is my next main passion.
I lost my dog Max 6 weeks ago and the gap it has left is more than I ever imagained. To add insult to injury the vet was guilty of professional negligence and I am currently taking action against them.
I too have a rescue cat and a rescue pup and its great to know that these abandoned animals can have a good life.
Bully sounded like a real Tom !
If there’s a heaven surely the animal kingdom is as welcome as we humans.
Guy
sorry to hear about Bully, Rick.
thanks for sharing the ‘tail’ , i enjoy hearing peoples pet stories
you may have your faults mate, as we all do, but bottom line you’re a big animal lover. thats a great thing.
if someone doesn’t love animals, i don’t fully trust them. simple.
i really laughed about you saving baby bully, but you get no thanks from him, lol
take care of baby bully dude
sam
Imagine a world where everyone had the same compassion for animals as you and Alina. Best wishes to you and all of your animals.
ScottM
Rick very sorry for you and your wife’s loss of Bully especially coming so soon after Pearl. Your tributes to them are very heartfelt and your love of cats has given you good karma and positive energy to accomplish your business successes, in my opinion.
And you probably know about the rainbow bridge and I know how much you enjoy rainbows. I have a rescued desert cat and you never completely get the wild out of them but that’s what gives them their strong personality when they come in the home.
lishar
Oh, I am sorry to hear that! I like cats very much. I have a cat and it is very good now.
Tommy Butler
Hi Rick
Sorry to hear about your loss have 2 stray cats one been with us 14 years and the other 6 months and they are basically family.
Bully looks like a real tomcat
Amanda
My condolences. I know it’s hard to lose part of the family. It sucks pets don’t have longer lifespans.
kelsy
Cute kitties, sorry that you lost them. Maybe it’s time for you to get another cat who needs your love and affection.