Good-bye, Miss Lizzie Boehm-Gutowski (meow)

Bob Gutowski · Post by **Bob Gutowski** » Tue May 27, 2008 9:10 am

We had to put our calico girl to sleep Friday night. She had lymphoma, and her abdomen was swollen with fluid. She was not in pain, but I could tell she was getting uncomfortable; she couldn't squat to use the litter-box, for one thing. She remained a sweetie to the end, charming the vet staff.

The entity known as Audrey Martin mailed me a lovely little sculpture of an angel holding a cat when our Emma died some time ago. Emma's picture sits next to it on a shelf; I'll add Lizzie's picture (which I'm bringing home from work) tonight.

Two new cats to come, in time.

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Tue May 27, 2008 9:25 am

Sincere sympathy, dear friend. There are no words which can cover a loss like this. I know there is a special wonderful place for beloved pets. Take comfort in the knowledge that she has no more pain, and that she has given her place with you to another needy little one soon to come.

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Tue May 27, 2008 9:38 am

Bob, my deepest sympathy for your loss. You have often spoke fondly of your cats so we know how much she meant to you.

Tina-Kate · Post by **Tina-Kate** » Tue May 27, 2008 10:30 am

Heartfelt sympathies, Bob. They become little members of the family & it's so hard to let them go. But we keep the happy memories & pictures & never forget them!

All the best for your new family additions when they arrive.

Bob Gutowski · Post by **Bob Gutowski** » Tue May 27, 2008 10:33 am

I knew I'd find kindness and sympathy from my friends at this society! It's will be Jay's chance to name the next two (though I have to approve). I feel sure in saying they won't be "Abby and Andrew" or "Hosea and George," alas.

mbhenty · Post by **mbhenty** » Tue May 27, 2008 10:54 am

Yes, sorry BOB.....

Everyone handles such situations in their own way.

The last thing I would want would be photos or mementos of my Scottie Henty to gaze upon everyday.

Just yesterday I was climbing the back stairs of my home when I came across the Henty's food bowl. Being my nature I just could not keep it. I picked it up, walked to the backyard and placed it in the waste bin.

We all have our own way to deal with such trials. Such matters are very personal. Very few can climb in our heads and know how we really feel.

You are right Bob. Best thing one can do is to adopt a new friend. When my mom's cats died she would proclaim that she never wanted another. I would surprise her with a new tabby, she would become preoccupied with the new kitten and the healing went much quicker.

twinsrwe · Post by **twinsrwe** » Tue May 27, 2008 8:14 pm

Bob, I am so sorry to hear of you loss. Death is always difficult deal with. Two new cats should help to fill the emptiness left in your heart.

Nadzieja · Post by **Nadzieja** » Tue May 27, 2008 8:15 pm

My sincere sympathy on your loss. I know it can be really difficult, however it would be more difficult to watch your beloved pet in pain. Pet seems like a cold word because they really do become part of you and the family. I also believe they go to a special place and someday we will see them again.

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Tue May 27, 2008 8:39 pm

I'm so sorry, Bob, that is never an easy decision to make. My heart goes out to you and Jay. When the time comes, I'm sure we'd all love to see pics of your new little darlings.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Wed May 28, 2008 2:36 am

Oh that's sad Bob! Sorry for yours and Jay's loss. I can't imagine having no cat. Whenever I changed my litter box I always thought of you! I too think we are reunited later with our furry friends. Someday there will be Lizzie and Emma purring with you.

~ ~ ~
Thank you for the tribute photo of your Henty, Michael. Beautiful!

Bob Gutowski · Post by **Bob Gutowski** » Wed May 28, 2008 11:18 am

Well, this morning, before work, I looked at the weather report here in NY (two breezy, dry days), and I took my watering can and the two containers of Nature's Miracle I'd bought, and I re-treated the area of the bedroom rug where Maisy, an interim partner we'd adopted for Lizzie after Emma died, peed outside her litter box. I don't want any new cats we eventually get to think it's an okay place to let go!

I did put a framed photo of Lizzie next to the picture of Emma and the angel statuette.

DJ · Post by DJ » Wed May 28, 2008 11:46 am

Bob,
Sylvia Browne says, if we've ever loved an animal, they're there to greet us first, when our time comes.
That's what I call Heaven!
Hope your life is filled with more pets, to bring you joy.

Bob Gutowski · Post by **Bob Gutowski** » Wed May 28, 2008 3:09 pm

That's a lovely thought. Thanks.

Bob Gutowski · Post by **Bob Gutowski** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 10:12 am

Last night we fell in love with a pair of three month old brothers, one mostly gray with a little white, a shorthair, the other a gray tabby. The rescue worker loved us, and is bringing them over tomorrow night.

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 11:00 am

Congratulations! Have you thought of names just yet? I had a darling little three-legged grey girl we called Agatha Christie, and a long-haired grey lady of substance and firey -disposition we called Miss Lucy. What lucky kitties they will be!

Tina-Kate · Post by **Tina-Kate** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 11:32 am

Ooooh! Those boy cats will keep you on your toes...you just wait! There'll never be a dull moment, tho!

Bob Gutowski · Post by **Bob Gutowski** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 12:13 pm

It's Jay's turn to name them, and he's hung up on the name "Stax," so the gray and white will be "Stax." I think the tabby will be "Edgar," for "Edgar Allan Paw."

Angel · Post by **Angel** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 1:00 pm

Edgar Allen Paw! That is so cute!

That reminds me of seeing once where a lawyer named his cat "Cattorney at Claw."

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 8:29 pm

Oh, thats such good news. Congrats on the new additions to the family, Bob! Love that, Edgar Allan Paw, what a great name. My fiance has a neighbor that has two dogs who's names are fitting as they live two blocks from the beach; Gidget and Moondoggie.

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:25 am

Am cheering madly for Edgar Allan Paw, being from Baltimore of course where Poe is King! You will have to read him The Black Cat! I have a very tame catbird which visits my feeder in the evening we have dubbed Mr. Poe. New kitties- what fun! Please post photos as soon as you can!

Bob Gutowski · Post by **Bob Gutowski** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 11:12 am

I'm glad you liked the name!

We told the rescue lady not to come out in the heat and/or rain if she didn't want to tonight, and it turns out that her car a/c is broken - SO, we're going to pick up the guys. She's passing on the home visit 'cause she trusts us.

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 12:05 pm

My Dad sent me these this morning- this is what you have to look forward to, Bob!

Bob Gutowski · Post by **Bob Gutowski** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 1:48 pm

I'm melting,and not just because of the heat! I LOVES DEM KITTENS!

doug65oh · Post by **doug65oh** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 2:38 pm

Edgar?? Hmmmmmmm... I wonder....

Once upon a midnight gritty
As I roamed the Charm`ed City,
Touring streets and alleyways
I fancy went unknown ‘til now;
Along the cobble did I stumble
(At unsure footing sometimes grumbled)
When of asudden brought up short was I
By deafening, loud Meeeeawwwww…

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 3:10 pm

Oh Doug- I hear Hallmark calling!
This came last week from a neighbor who knows I love ginger Toms:

ADD: FOR SALE, ONE USELESS CAT

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 3:17 pm

And another pair for good measure

Nadzieja · Post by **Nadzieja** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:02 pm

I can't wait to see the pics of the new kitties. Shelley, those pics are so funny. Our Celina being an indoor cat wasn't sure what a mouse was either. It walked right over her tail. I was in hysterics.

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:10 pm

I had posted a funny ad for a useless cat at the bottom of the last page, but I see we've rolled over into another page. I think only 10 posts fit on a page. . I actually did have a cat which liked mice and rats.

Tina-Kate · Post by **Tina-Kate** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:38 am

Too cute!

Bob Gutowski · Post by **Bob Gutowski** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 9:34 am

So, we brought home our two three and a half month old kitties last night. One of the brothers is one mostly gray, with a mushy, sweet, sit on your lap personality – that’s “Stax,” Jay’s choice for a name (after Stacks Masengo, a South African with whom he used to work). Edgar, the gray and white tabby, is more skittish, though he’s made real strides in just one night with us.

We decided last night to let them have the run of the place, except for the bedroom, which they may get to explore tonight, perhaps, but only because they both used the box right in fron of me before I left for work, so that’s a wonderful thing!

Tina-Kate · Post by **Tina-Kate** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 10:03 am

Best wishes, Bob!

With two boys, you are in for a lot of amusing times!

Nadzieja · Post by **Nadzieja** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:03 pm

Congratulations on your new "kids" Bob. I'm sure that you're in for quite a ride with 2 boys. Hope your send pics soon, would love to see them.

Bob Gutowski · Post by **Bob Gutowski** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:01 am

I have no idea how to post pix, and Jay took a few this morning, of Edgar the tabby and Stax the gray boy. Can I send them by e-mail to someone to out up?

Tina-Kate · Post by **Tina-Kate** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:35 am

Bob, please see PM.

Bob Gutowski · Post by **Bob Gutowski** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:12 am

Okey-dokey!

Tina-Kate · Post by **Tina-Kate** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:54 am

Here are Bob's cute boys.

This munchkin is Edgar:

Tina-Kate · Post by **Tina-Kate** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:55 am

This munchkin is Stax:

Bob Gutowski · Post by **Bob Gutowski** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 11:14 am

Thanks, TK!

I confess that we have always covered our lovely furniture with cheap sheets, to avoid cat hair and, ahem, perspiration.

The boys are awesome, and both of them have now spent time asleep on my lap. They will be the most social kitties on the East Coast!

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:28 am

Oh Fantastic! Thanks you guys! I love it!

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 3:04 am

Oh, how sweet!!! They are just so cute, I bet they're into everything. Thanks for the pics, Tina-Kate and Bob.

Nadzieja · Post by **Nadzieja** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 8:02 pm

They are both gorgeous. thanks for sending pics. I can see it now----they both weigh in at about 12 lbs and they both want to sleep in your lap!!

Celina sit on me every night & just about puts my leg to sleep, I just shift & she shifts with me.

twinsrwe · Post by **twinsrwe** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 8:18 pm

Awwww, they are soooo cute, Bob!!! I know they will give you the time of your life!

Thank you for posting the pix, Tina-Kate!

Angel · Post by **Angel** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:13 am

Such little sweetie pies. Makes me want to run right out and get another kitten. Like I need another one.

Bob Gutowski · Post by **Bob Gutowski** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 11:14 am

They're already bigger. Today they're shut in the bedroom (don't worry - they were introduced to the room a few days ago) as the cleaning lady is due, and I don't want escapes or injuries (to either the cleaning lady tripping over an attentive kitten, or to the kittens themselves). As we did with Lizzie, we left a note on the bedroom door asking Eufemia to open it when she's about to leave. We'll pull out the cat food, litter and toys when we get home.

After a few weekends of parties, reunions, and a show here and there, I am so ready to do nearly nothing this weekend but enjoy a clean apartment, my spouse, and the kitties! Yay!

Tina-Kate · Post by **Tina-Kate** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 11:55 am

Like Fathers Day one week late.

Enjoy!

Bob Gutowski · Post by **Bob Gutowski** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 11:17 am

Yes! Just before the weekend Jay came into possession of a free pair of tickets to a show he'd already seen twice, and which I have no intention of seeing at all, and he was doing his damndest to get me into Manhattan. Instead we had a nice dinner, picked up a few things at Waldbaums's (we were driving), and I bought him Carvel.

I hope to have more pix to post soon, as the boys have certainly grown.