Babe our kitty

[Nellie Too]

Nita and I are having a very sad experience. We put down our kitty Babe on Friday. He was having major problems with his body functions and the vet told us we could either bring him back every other day or put him down. We thought it was best to put him down. He has been with us for 18 years and we are still having memory problems of him. He was the best. I think the kids on our cruises still remember him as he was very gentle with them and was always purring when they were around. For those of you who haven't had special pets, its hard to understand but we miss him and see him everywhere in the house. I was in mass this morning with my older brother and we both prayed that he is sitting on my mothers lap as he loved to do when she was still alive. I am having tears in my eyes as we think of how special he was.
This may not be appropriate for the web site but I thought I would share.
Bob

 

[Bruce Moore]

So sorry Bob and Nita. From one cat-loving family to another, we're sad you lost your friend (and boating companion). But, oh how wonderful he enjoyed such a long, fine life.

Bruce and Vicki

 

[JamesTXSD]

Bob and Nita,

Many of us understand. We have been through the same, and it is a real loss. These furry kids are family. They work their way into our hearts and what you are feeling is that empty space in your heart. A very real loss. I wish I had some words that could take away the hurt and loss you are feeling, but it just shows how much you care. We felt the same, with memories everywhere we turned. While the hurt is so fresh, know that those same memories that seem unbearable right now will give you joy as time passes.

We had one furry girl who lived to almost 22 years. Towards the end, I promised that when she let me know it was time, I would do that one last thing for her. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do, and writing this still brings tears to my eyes.

I said I would never go through that again, but 6 months later, a big furry girl worked her way into our hearts. I wrote a book about our travels with her - a true boat cat, and very much a part of our travel adventures.

Our sincere condolences go out to you two. And tonight, I'll hold our current little furry girl a bit closer in memory of Babe.

Jim & Joan B.

 

[HRowland]

Bob and Nita,

Debbie and I understand completely. We had to put one of our cats, Twinkee, to sleep a couple of weeks before Christmas. She was suffering from Lymphoma that did not improve with treatment. Since she was not eating on her own and clearly not enjoying life anymore we had to make the tough decision. It is never easy to do but we had to think about her quality of life. She was only about 10 years old. We work with an animal rescue organization and have had many cats over the years. It is never easy but they bring a lot of joy to our lives. Fortunatly we still have two cats that demand our attention.

Howard and Debbie

 

[GulfSailor]

So sorry Bob and Nita. From one cat-loving family to another, we're sad you lost your friend (and boating companion). But, oh how wonderful he enjoyed such a long, fine life.
Bruce and Vicki

I couldn't have put it better. Still missing our 17 year old Tiger that we had to put to sleep a couple of months before Christmas.

Sadly, there are many of us who understand exactly how you feel.

 

[Nellie Too]

I want to thank all of you who have responded to our message about Babe. It is hard to relate what he really meant to us but I am sure all of you with pets understand. I said in the first message that he loved my Mom and the feeling was mutual. As she was facing the last days of her life she always asked about Babe, and when possible, would hold him. This was before the stroke she had but it still part of our memory. As many of you know, our boat is named after my Mom (Ellen Margarite (Harrington) Ostlund) (Nellie). We had many private messages which were not visible on the web and we soo appreciate those.
With all our thanks,
Bob and Nita

 

[j&lgray]

So sorry to hear about Babe. John and I totally understand about these "boat cats" that are such an important part of our lives and our boating adventures. There aren't very many of us with boating cats but they definitely make the trip better.

Our sincere condolences,

Laurie and John

 

[johnniethek]

Bob and Nita,

So sorry for your loss...and one I can relate to because of the loss of my black lab Dixie a year ago August. She was the best, and I still find myself shaking my head at the loss of that wonderful sog.

Perhaps when the time is right, you two will find another cat you can bring into your lives and the lives of the Ranger Tug family. I just did that a month ago when the time was right to get another dog. I'm sure you will meet her soon, my wonderful, sweet, loving chocolate lab named Sable.

John

 

[Nellie Too]

John,
We can't wait to meet Sable, your new chocolate lab. We are not ready to get another cat, but maybe some day in the future we will consider it.

Thanks everyone for understanding.

Nita and Bob

 

[walldog]

During this past summer, Willie, Jake and I had several opportunities to visit with Babe at his new home in Anacortes. Once for a week, we cat sat while Bob and Nita took a trip. Nita cautioned us to keep the bar stools pushed up under the kitchen island bar because Babe could hop up on the stool and then to the counter top to browse the neat cat treats left for him there. One morning during coffee, with all stools pushed in, Babe calmly walks to the island bar in front of the stove and flat foot leaps up to the top of the bar. He looked over at us and said "I do not need no stinking bar stool to get up here....so there."

We mostly kept Jake and Babe apart, but when they were together, they tolerated each other very well. Of course Babe tolerated Jake, and Jake respected Babe's space. It was fun to see them interact. Two balls of similarly colored fur checking each other out.

I know you folks will miss Babe, but you gave him a good long happy life. Thanks for letting us share a part of it with him.

Bubba Cat and Jakers

RIP Babe