P.S. While on my recent trip to Canada, we discovered Temptations gift tins! I don't know if they are available here in the States, but I thought I'd give everyone a heads-up.

Hello, everyone.

Kate the Mum here.
First, we have been ABSOLUTELY overwhelmed by the comfort given to us by the cat blogosphere. It's amazing. I can't imagine that many people showing up at my funeral, except possibly a few creditors making sure I haven't faked it and run away to the South of France. (She's not only merely dead, she's really most sincerely dead.) The Dad and I have spent the past few days remembering our girl, and while we've been sad there's been a lot of laughter as well. Thank you for sharing with us.
The next thing is, we're no longer a mob, strictly speaking. With the forbearance of our kind readers, we will maintain the name. I suspect it won't be too long before there are additions to the family.
Lastly, I have a proposal. Personal experience and creditable reports tell me that kitties LOVE Christmas trees as perches. I suggest that December 17 be used by our gang of bloggers to post photos of kitties in trees. In the spirit of friendship and tolerance that should mark the season, it should be ecumenical. If your kitty nibbles the menorah or sharpens her claws on the Yule log, POST A PHOTO! If your kitty likes to dress up( or at least tolerates being dressed up) POST A PHOTO! See Kukka-Maria and Miles for ideas. The general theme should be 'Holiday Wilfullness'
Toby will post soon. He thinks he's fading rapidly from the new stringent reducing schedule.
Take care and blessings to all.

Tilly (1989-2006)

The Dad here. First, we'd like to thank all those who sent kind wishes, thoughts and prayers to us for Tilly's passing over the Bridge. Special thanks to the Meezers, who posted a tribute to Tilly on their blog, and to Fat Eric for memorializing Tilly on the Rainbow Gingers page. Tilly is now with Jiggsy and all the other kitties who went before. We'll see her again someday.

The loss of Tilly has made us sad. But it was not unexpected. Tilly initially did well with her thyroid medication but soon took a turn for the worse. On Thanksgiving morning, she was on her blanket, breathing somewhat heavily but not in any obvious discomfort. Just as he did before Jiggsy passed away, Toby went over to her, sniffed her, then gently licked her head. The Mum and I went into the bedroom to discuss our options when we took her to the vet. When we came out, she was gone.

Tilly was the Dad's first companion when he left home and lived on his own for the first time. Tilly and her Dad lived in a small second-floor apartment in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. It was kind of a dumpy place but wonderful in so many ways. Even on the hottest summer days, a cool breeze from the ocean rustled the curtains.

"You don't have to spay an indoor cat"

Every day when Dad came home from work, Tilly would be watching from the window. Then she would run to the door to greet Dad at the top of the stairs. The first thing would be to play "Tall Tilly." This was a game where Dad picked Tilly up and carried her around the house so she could touch all the things that were interesting but were too high up for her to reach -- such as the light cords.

Tilly was a girl kitty but Dad thought that, since she was going to be an indoor kitty, she would not have to be spayed. Smart Dad, saving that big vet bill -- WRONG! One day, when Tilly was becoming a young lady cat, she began to yowl. Brrrrup! Brrrrup! Brrrr-OW! Then we had a whole chorus of boy kitties in the yard serenading Tilly. She was very impressed and wanted very, very much to go outside and thank each of them personally.

The next day, Dad made an appointment with the vet.

Frozen chicken bowling ball

Tilly was a very smart, inquisitive kitty who loved to play. Her favorite games were fetching the milk jug twisty-tie and playing "I see Tilly." In this game, Dad would go down the hall to the bathroom. Dad would stick his head out the door, look down the hall and say, "I see Tilly!" Tilly would run down the hall and leap around the corner at Dad. After a few figure-eights around Dad's legs as he shouted "Yay, Tilly!" she would run back down the hall to do it all again.

Being curious sometimes got Tilly into sticky situations. One day, Dad was defrosting a frozen chicken on the kitchen counter. The chicken was still in its plastic grocery bag. While Dad was in the living room watching television, Tilly got up on the counter to investigate. Somehow, she got her head through the loops of the grocery bag and panicked, jumping down from the counter and pulling the frozen chicken after her with a crash. She ran down the hall with the frozen chicken trundling after her. Dad got up not knowing what all the racket was about but sure it involved Tilly. He was ready to hand out some harsh discipline until Tilly came running into the living room with the chicken close at her heels. Then Dad could not stop laughing.

Tilly was a wonderful companion for 17 years. Dad and Mum loved her very much and we miss her terribly. Again, thank you all for your support and prayers.

Hello, everyone.

The Mum here. We want to tell everyone that Tilly crossed the Rainbow Bridge at around 11AM Thanksgiving Day. As far as we can tell, it was painless and she knew it was her time. We'll be writing within a few days about her, but for now we are just quietly coping.

Hello, everyone!


I know it's been a while since we've posted, but it seems like when Mum has time, we don't and when Toby or I have time, Mum doesn't. We've been furry busy here with doctors' appointments ( bean and VET) and the usual daily grind of chores, naps, and eating.

I am still not entirely well. Mum needs to talk to the Evil Doctor as she hasn't received test results yet. It's the funniest thing- every morning, before she feeds the Other One and myself, she gives me a delicious treat. She prepares it carefully by hand, putting in a special white filling. Sometimes I don't eat the filling on the first try, so I GET ANOTHER TREAT!
I've got her well-trained, don't you think? heehee.

The beans (mostly the Mum) were hoping to move. She found a nice apartment, but they decided it was too expensive, so we are staying put for now. Mum will wait till after the holidays to look more.

Mum is taking Grandma to Canada next week. They are looking forward to buying tea and English chocolates as well doing some sightseeing. Molly will be staying at the kitty jail. She isn't happy about that. Mum will help Grandma catch Molly, put her in the PTU and take her. (note from Mum: "Oh, boy.")

Toby sometimes stares at the kitchen cabinets, but hasn't caught anything. Mum and I play with the catnip bubbles nearly every day and she gives me treats often. Yesterday Dad was on the radio talking about the election. Finally, he can relax a little. It's hard work being an editor.

I was playing the cello Wednesday, so now we have a nice southwest wind to make it a bit warmer here. It's sunny and windy, though. Mum says this Indian summer can stay all winter.

Purrs and headbutts to all,

Tilly