Friday, September 3, 2010

Love the ones your with...

Because this is a design blog focusing on interior design, I always post things about up and coming ideas, design trends, decorating tips, and how-to's. I rarely delve into my personal life because I have been told by my marketing "experts" that it is unprofessional and unfocused. My readers are looking for quick and easy tips to help them through their decorating woes, not a post on me stubbing my toe. Unfortunately for the experts I do not listen or take direction well, and my emotions have taken over and I am going to write what I feel today.
Very SAD.


Twelve years ago I was wandering aimlessly in the abyss of my twenties trying to figure out what to do with my life, pretending along the way that I knew exactly what to do with my life, (and I of course knew everything, but really knew NOTHING!). Recently engaged to Mr. B, I wanted to make our humble apartment cozy, so I got in my car and headed to the junkyard, I mean the pound, to find me a black and white kitty. My entire life growing up I had cats and every one of them was black and white. Apparently I have an affinity for them, and I just LOVE them!

Once at the pound I searched through all the young sporty models (AKA, kittens) and couldn't find any that were black and white, nor were they special. When I turned the last corner I saw a black and white kitty that was full grown. The volunteer standing next to him was saying to a mother, "oh you don't want this one, he has been returned twice for bad behavior." I immediately went to his cage and told her I would take him. Fifteen dollars, and twenty minutes later, I was the proud mama of a cranky black and white, fluffy kitty; and he was perfect! Now all I had to do was convince the male figure (AKA Mr. B) that we HAD TO HAVE him. HAD TO!!!


At that time my soon to be husband was very athletic and addicted to all things Nike. So in an effort to convince and persuade the male figure that he was indeed perfect, I named him NIKE. I was so excited to have him. Perfect in every way I loved him up to the point of suffocation. Later that year we moved into a very large home, and ironically as I was standing at the pound looking for Nike's new friend my now husband called me to come pick up an abandoned kitten from the vets office by his work. "Is he black and white?" I asked. "Yup, he's perfect, you'll love him," Mr. B replied.


Ahem,....(Houstan we have a problem) he wasn't exactly what I would classify as a Black and White. He was more a white, with a little black. But I quickly learned to love my sensitive, adorable white with black kitty, (named Inky) and ten years and several moves later we were one big happy, foursome. 

Then in 2008 the hubs and I returned from the post office and this came running up to us like we were long lost buds.

"Hello! Hi! I am cute can I come in?" the unknown kitty said.

"I have a very strict black and white policy. Unfortunately my dear, I don't do tabby's." I replied.

"yea, ok lady. I'll just sit here on this very comfy couch (in YOUR house) while you ponder that thought.".... 

Ok, so 11 years, and one move later, we were one big happy and cuddly, fivesome. 

But in early 2009 my big kitty, (A.K.A-NIKE), was not doing very well. He was very lethargic, and loopy. After a visit to the vet we discovered he had diabetes. This last year and a half included many up's and down's with his health, and despite thousands of dollars of care, and medicines, my beloved boy gave up the good fight.

You can't see me
It was unexpected and we were both devastated. I feel like I have lost my closest, and dearest friend, and that a decade of my life is gone. If any of you have pets, then you know what it means to lose your closest friend. Full of unconditional love, they are there through it all, no matter what. Good times, and bad. So as a reminder to all of those that read this blog, 
remember to love the ones you are with.


Here are some awesome photos of my kids over the years:

Seriously, no paparazzo 

"...so you got it?," 
"yea, I got it," 
"So we have an understandin' then?"



Lord has it been a long day, phew!

What was it you was sayin'? No tabbies? Uh-huh...
me be the queen sheba



Boys gone wild


Girls gone wild


Good night my love.
  You were perfect in every way and as I sit here sobbing, my heart stricken with greif, it is hard for me to beleive, even fathom that you are gone. Returned twice to the pound in those early days, they had no idea how special you were.  
You will forevermore hold a special place in my heart and I will love and miss you dearly.
Love always, and forever ~mama
I hope all of you have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend.

20 comments:

  1. Awwwww, Amanda so sorry to hear about your beautiful Nike. I absolutely know the pain of losing a beloved member of the family, of the four legged variety. You gave him a wonderfully loved life and I'm sure he is sharing funny stories of your family with his new angel winged fur friends.

    Your fur babies are precious, thank you for sharing this heartfelt story. *hugs*

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  2. Awww, what a horribly sad post! Nike sure was a stylish young man and even though it is heartbreaking that he is now gone you should take some comfort in the long years you shared and that you were able to provide him with a loving home when no one else would. He sounds like a much loved pet and I bet he was spoiled rotten :) Especially being your only black and white baby!

    And glad you didn’t listen to your marketing experts though, it's always nice with a personal twist in my opinion.

    Wish you the best!

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  3. Oh Amanda I'm so sorry for your loss. I put my beloved Basset Hound down about a year ago (cancer). The loss is so profound. Praying for healing and some comfort for you.

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  4. Dear Amanda, I am so sorry for your loss of Nike. It is such a hard thing to go through, even now when I think of the pets I have lost it brings tears to my eyes. Remember this, you gave them a wonderful home, kept them safe, fed and happy. You gave them a great life, and they loved you.

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  5. Oh Amanda, this is such sad news. I know that you are heart broken. This is a beautiful story. You have many nice memories. Things will look up.
    Teresa

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  6. Amanda,
    So very sorry to hear of Nike's passing. I had mostly cats and a few dogs growing up and a beloved B&W named Patches. My husband and I had 2 cats as newlyweds, who died of old age, and then got a dog 4 years ago. I LOVE animals, and they do become a part of the family, a part of you. My sincere sympathy.

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  7. So heartbreaking. I have a Pug and he has my heart for sure. I'm so sorry for your loss. Give some extra love to the other guys. I'm sure they are missing him too.

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  8. You gave him a great life...he looked like a wonderful kitty full of unconditional love. I believe you will see him again.

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  9. Oh, Amanda! Your post brings tears to my eyes. :( I am so sorry you lost your poor kitty. He looks like he was such a love.
    (By the way...I love your personal-style post. Forget what the marketing people say. These make you human!)

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  10. Oh Amanda, You have me in tears ... I hope no one walks into my office seeing me sobbing. What can I say as I can only share your sorrow...I only try to focus on the fact that Nike was given a great life and that he does not really see his life ended...he was always where he wanted to be.

    I like to go the same way, hiding my head under a bed with my legs hanging out...I told my husband never again will I want a pet, so much work, and each time I look at our furballs I know that they have me by the proverbial balls...I'd do pretty much anything for them.

    Thank you for sharing a bit about wonderful you...and no, your blog is no less professional.

    Hugs to all of you and let's make sure Nike's angel soul does not see you sad...

    xoxo

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  11. Oh, I am so sorry to hear this Amanda! I loved looking through the pictures you've shared here ~ what a dapper looking fellow. My heart goes out to you and plenty of cyber hugs! I've been through this with a dog that we had gotten before our kids were born; our first kid, if you will. I had a love/hate relationship with that dog, but I was the most upset and was really hysterical the day I found her. I always think of her; even with the new mooch - a black and white Siberian Husky, who I sometimes think channels the other one.

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  12. Thank you to all for your kind words. I really appreciate all the love, and thank-you for allowing me a moment of weakness on my "professional" blog!
    xo
    amanda

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  13. Oh, Amanda, I am so, so sorry. I totally understand, TOTALLY. It is beyond devastating. We have 3 darling kitties and I dread this, have been through it before and it's awful. Prayers are with you, and it's not unprofessional, it's REAL. We love you.

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  14. so sorry to her about nike, amanda! i know how much you love your "kids" specifically nike, and i can only imagine how heartbroken you must be--i remember you telling me about him when you were here! your dear kitty was returned to the pound so often because he was just waiting for you & mr. b to come along and love him the way he needed. my prayers are with you during your time of loss, friend. thanks for opening up on your blog so we all can be of some support!

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  15. Amanda

    Beautifully written tribute to your Nike and I am so sorry for your loss. We lost our 15 year old cocker spaniel last year and I still look for her every day! And ignore your marketing experts because readers enjoy knowing there is a human being behind your words.

    Try to enjoy the weekend and your new found foursome.

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  16. I'm so sorry Amanda. I'm definitely feeling your pain. Your post was lovely and thoughtful with such great pictures of your cat family. It's ok to do stuff like this... we're all human with emotions and sharing your story touches all of us who read your blog.
    xoxo
    Susan

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  17. Amanda, I am soooo soooo very sorry! Pets are such a part of our family, and their loss is so very painful. (((( hugs )))))

    And phooey on your marketing experts. I think what makes each blog unique is the person writing it.

    xoxo
    Traci

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  18. Amanda, I know I'm a little late, but I wanted to say that I am so sad for you. I hope you and your other kitties will recover.

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  19. Amanda-
    I am so sorry for your loss! {I'm not sure how I missed this post earlier.} I love hearing about your personal life--I just wish you did not have to experience such pain. The loss of a pet is devastating.

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