In memory of four-legged friends

[mojogeorgo]

I just found out from a friend that his cat had died. So, today I'm thinking a lot about our cat Socrates.

He remains The Best Cat in the World to me. When Demetrius and I would sit together on the couch watching television, Socrates habitually positioned himself so that he was on both of our laps. We figured he was making a point of not playing favorites.

When our alarm clock would go off in the morning, he would run out into the hallway--knowing that we would be passing that way soon--and roll onto his back, presenting his tummy to be rubbed. And that boy enjoyed a vigorous tummy rubbing. Only cat we've had like that. The cats who have shared our home since then have been affectionate enough, but those other cat tummies have been strictly off limits.

We don't have any digital pictures of Socrates, or even any regular pictures of him in his signature "present tummy" pose. Nor could I find a picture of any black cat doing "the pose", so this will have to do...



Do you have any memories to share of furry friends who shared your life?

[Warpy]

1. I know that pose well.

I had just moved into a house, gone outside for something, and had an enormous tiger tom approach. I let him sniff my fingers, then gave him a chin scratch. He flopped immediately into "that" pose and I obliged with a long tummy rubbing session. His person was in the yard tending her garden, watched the whole thing, and eventually became one of the best friends in my life. Whenever I'd visit, that cat (all 24 pounds of him) would be in my lap, on his back, tongue hanging out, while I rubbed his tummy.

I live with two rescued kitties now, one loves to have her tummy rubbed and the other is a "don't touch me there" kitty. Ms. "Rub My Tummy" is a nose kisser. Mr. "Don't you dare touch that" loves to be hugged. They're both getting old, 13 and 17 respectively.

I will miss them when they're gone. I will also find another adult cat sitting on death row and take him/her home. You just can't go wrong with cats, no matter whether they'll let you rub their tummies or not.

[xchrom]

2. i can only say that i miss the best friend i could ever have.

i knew i loved my old boy sport before he died -- but his passing several years ago -- has only brought home that dog was the love of my life.

as much as possible we went everywhere together.

but mostly i just loved his company -- you were never, ever alone when he was around.

he was quite simply a constant joy -- and a constant companion.

it gave me great joy to give that old boy the best i could give him -- nothing was too good for him.

and he returned all with love and joy -- joy to just spend time in my company.

and i know he will be waiting for me at the bridge.

[cornermouse]

3. 65 pounds of love and doggie kisses who thought she was a lap dog.

[HuskerDU]

4. From your description, Socrates sounded like a wonderful

pet. You are lucky to have spent time with a friend like that.

I hadn't had a pet since I was a child when we adopted Daisy a couple of years ago. Then a neighbor got stuck with 9 animals, so we adopted Porter from him. Then a skinny orange stray wandered out of a corn field and into our hearts. His name is Murton.

When I come home from work the furry critters run down the stairs to greet me. My g/f and I love our cats like children. And I know from their actions that they love us. Pets make a sometimes rough world just a little bit more pleasant!

[TlalocW]

5. My first ferret Zowie

liked to jump up on my bed and either put her cold, wet nose in my face or bite my feet to wake me up to play with her. I would normally pick her up and put her down on the floor again. To let me know that her food dish was empty, she would climb the outside of her cage (she only had a cage to house her food and water, she was a free-roaming ferret) and knock off the Gatorade bottle that I kept her food in then climb back down and start batting it around to get me up. She soon just started doing that to get me up as the next few times she did it, her food dish was full.

When I first got her, she had a hiding place I couldn't find. I would come home from work, call her, and maybe half an hour later, she would show up. I didn't think too much about it. One time I was working in my home office and needed a rubber band for something and went to the kitchen to get one out of the junk drawer. I opened it, and there was Zowie sleeping in it. Very tight fit, and I can't imagine it was very comfortable. I picked her up out of it, got my rubber band, and went back to the office. Then I had the thought that I probably needed to put rubber bands around the knobs of the lower cabinets in the kitchen since that's how she was getting into the junk drawer - opening the cabinet, getting on the second shelf, going to the back, jumping up and grabbing the back of the drawer and pulling herself in. So I went back to the junk drawer to get some rubber bands, and lo and behold - not 3 minutes later - she was back inside.





TlalocW

[Asgaya Dihi]

6. Lots of them

I've always had animals around, can't imagine living without them. My favorite was probably an Irish Setter who more or less gave himself to my wife and I for our first anniversary. He was an underweight stray with his hair tangled with branches and garbage who we found when my wife and I went camping our first anniversary. Snuck up behind her as she was bent over the fire and introduced himself ;)

We checked with others there and he'd been around for a while and didn't belong to anyone so we took him home with us. Meant to find him a home but he rode the whole three hour or so ride with his head on my shoulder, suckered me in the first day. Never had a dog that could be so beautiful, so classy, then a moment later such a clown.

Favorite dog I ever had, probably the smartest too. At least in the sense of knowing exactly when we needed a head in our lap, a little comfort and company.

edit: correct tense

[Greeby]

7. Too depressed to talk, so have these instead

:pals: :hug: :grouphug:

[the other one]

8. Shadow, Sport,

Cinnamon, Cocoa, Bonnie, PC

Fish, fish and more fish, a giant snail that ate from my hands

No stories to share, but thanks for giving me a place to remember. I will go back to crying now.

[pansypoo53219]

9. ahh yes

have had 6 cats so far. lost 3. hae 3 now. was looking through my cat pics for my 1st black male-whiskers(he was my childhood cat and had 1 white whisker! ok! i was FIVE!) even tho had him til my 20's, yes, he lied a lng life, i did not have a proper camera. and more pictures of his sister tabby. and baby pics of my 2nd 2. and now with digital and idiot camera, tons of the 2nd pair and the 3rd pair. but i know i do have some B/W pics of the 1st 2 in a another box.
i miss my 2 black males still. cosmo liked his belly rubbed. Basil does sometimes, but he will bite when it's too much.

[bumblebee1]

10. Had quite a few four legged friends.

My first dog was named Pepper. He was a black and white Pekingese. I got him from the friend of a friend. I waslked into their home and sat down on the couch. Pepper jumped right up on my lap. He was my little buddy. Unfortunately, we lost him within the two week time period that my husband lost his father. We now have a tri-color sheltie named Shep. Shep is now getting old and deaf.

We've also had several smaller four legged friends: rats and guinea pigs. I have one of our long tailed friends on the back of the chair. Her name is Cleo, short for Cleopatra. She likes to stay pretty close to you. Her roommate, Diana, likes to explore. She has the nickname "Miss No Fear."

Six years ago, we had two female rats that definitely had personalities. One was named Robyn. This rat climbed to the top of our upright vacuum cleaner while pregnant. This vacuum looked to her like the Eiffel Tower. Her nickname was also "Miss No Fear." Her daughter Starr was little "Miss Catch Me if You Can." She would explore the room. She would look out from under the furniture. When you'd try to get her, she'd hide. She liked playing Hide and Seek.

My husband brought home a rat he named Junior. He had attitude. The rat took to me. When my husband would wake up, he'd let Junior out of his cage. Later that morning, he would look for the rat. I'd find him in bed with me, asleep.