Sunday, August 28, 2016

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day

Honoring My Angel Bobo
ABOUT RAINBOW BRIDGE REMEMBRANCE DAY:

This special day was created by Deborah Barnes – author, award winning blogger, and cat advocate in tribute to her cat, Mr. Jazz, who she had to say goodbye to on August 28, 2013. She shared the journey of letting him go in her most recent book, “Purr Prints of – A Cat’s Tale of Life, Death,and Beyond,” a warm and heartfelt book that is written in the wise and comforting voice of Mr. Jazz himself as he shares his life and death journey to offer guidance and understanding through a cat’s perspective as to why sometimes letting a pet go can be the greatest gift you give them. 

On behalf of Deb Barnes, Purr Prints of the Heart, and the Zee/Zoey Gang – thank you all for your support. To share your post on Facebook, click here.

In order to not make this post overly "photo heavy" I have created three collages to honor my beloved Bobo whom I was blessed to share my life with from December 1989 until July 2, 2007.

Bobo was found as a stray in sub-zero temperatures when he was approximately six months old. He spent every day of his life showing me his gratitude for having rescued him, and more unconditional love and devotion than I ever thought could exist. His life cannot accurately be portrayed in a mere three collages, but that is all I can do for now. Many of the photos I am sharing with you today,  you have not seen, (I apologize for their poor quality, but they were taken before the days of cell phones and blogging), and I will offer some explanation of the photos. Please join me in remembering my beloved Bobo with all of my love and with a heart that still breaks and grieves when I gaze upon his photos and share these memories.

In this collage you will see in the top left some of Bobo's favorite toys that I cannot bring myself to part with, nor do I ever allow Cody to play with them. The photo on the top left shows them in the bag in which they are stored, in the bottom photo you see his "kitty" that he slept with every day, his stuffed woofie, a mouse, two balls and his catnip pillow with a picture of a kitty that looked so much like him.

In the photo on the top right, are his last bowls that are kept in a trunk for safe-keeping. I have never let Cody use them. They were Bobo's and as much as I love Cody, I never could bring myself to allow him to use these bowls.
This collage is rather eerie when you hear a story that accompanies it. First, why in the world I bought my mancat a PINK carrier is beyond me! For the life of me I have no idea why I did that!

The bottom left photo shows my maiden name with Bobo's name on top of the carrier, all ready for for trips to the vet. The photo on the right is my Bobo sitting on TOP of his carrier which he used to do ALL of the time!

The photo on the top left is a photo of the  carrier as it looks today.  I keep it in the closet of my office, everything in it is exactly as it was since the day he crossed the bridge.I haven't changed or touched a thing. I sometimes think I should dispose of it, but I can't. It will be with me always.

What is eerie is one day I couldn't find Cody. I searched everywhere, and when I finally found him I found him IN the closet, IN Bobo's carrier. He had opened the door, crept in, and it has now become  one of his favorite sleeping spots. He does this nearly EVERY DAY.  I like to think that on some level he and Bobo are communicating, and I am convinced that they are. How and why Cody ever discovered this in the closet, I have no idea. For some reason it brings Cody happiness and comfort to sleep there, and it makes me happy that he does it.

I leave you with a photo of Bobo on the top left in his eating area when we moved to Michigan in 2001. 

The other photos show him on the couch that was Lenny's before we were married. There is a photo on the top right of Lenny and Bobo. Lenny didn't meet Bobo until he was 12 years old and had already slowed down considerably, but they were blessed to have six years together. Sadly, that is the same couch that the Vet helped him cross the Bridge on and we no longer have it. I just couldn't keep it, it caused me enormous pain every time I looked at it.

I used to think Bobo's markings were so unique until I saw a number of cats in the blogosphere who looked so much like him it was uncanny! I adored his perfect four white paws and his "bib", he was such a handsome boy.

He wasn't a people cat as Cody is, I often wondered what Bobo experienced in the months before he found me. He didn't like strangers, he was a much more fearful cat than Cody (who is fearless), but he had a sensitivity and a remarkable way of being attuned to every nuance of my being that was something that isn't experienced often in ones' lifetime. When I hurt, he hurt, and vice versa.

The Rainbow Bridge poem was given to me by a friend when Bobo passed. I keep it in a frame in my office, where it still brings me comfort.

I didn't intend for this post to be quite this long, and I thank you for taking the time to read it. I also would like to thank Deb Barnes for creating this wonderful event.

I send my love to each and every one of you, and look forward to reading your stories and seeing your photos of those "who came before." May we all derive some comfort from these posts. 



53 comments:

  1. Purrs to everyone today as they remember.

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  2. Our purrs and kitty kisses to you and to all. ❤

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  3. It's a hard day when one tries to remember all the furry ones we have lost. Hugs to everyone out there.

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  4. What a beautiful kitty. Hugs to you.
    Sue B

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  5. What a beautiful tribute. I too have many items that I can't possibly toss away from pets in my life. I'm sure when I'm long gone and my children are going through my belongings, they'll wonder what I was thinking... I especially loved your story of Cody going into Bobo's carrier. I would agree that it seems like they are communicating. My heart goes out to you today. Thank you for sharing such a precious part of your life with us. Thank you also for your kind words about Jazz and Purr Prints of the Heart. xoxo - Deb and the Zee/Zoey gang

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    1. Deb thank you! Oh I can imagine that you do! It's so hard isn't it? My heart goes out to you as well, I cannot believe that Cody found that carrier, it still blows my mind because it has been in the closet since Bobo passed. Cody totally found it on his own. Thank YOU for creating this special event, it means the world to so many of us! ((((hugs))) and Love!

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    1. (((hugs))) thank you! I thank Bobo for having created them!

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  7. Thank you for sharing Bobo with us; I especially love the white markings. I've done the same with Kitty's food bowl, her favorite toy, etc. She crossed about 6 weeks before Bobo did and it still tears me up inside - no matter how much Bear fills up my life now.

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  8. Sweet memories, and beautiful tribute to your Angel Bobo. Purrs

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  9. Thanks for sharing Bobo with us. I do understand about keeping all his things. I still have all of Pip's clothes stored away and could never part with them. I also have his tags (which I made into a necklace) and collar and leash. And finally, I keep his red bow-tie right next to my bed. I brought both his tags and bow-tie with me to BlogPaws (they were in my purse during the awards dinner).

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    1. You are welcome and thank you! Ohhhhhh I LOVE what you mentioned, the necklace idea with Pip's tags is just genius!!!!!! I love that you have his bow tie next to your bed, and that you brought the tags and bow tie to BlogPaws! I neglected to mention that EVERY SINGLE TIME I fly, I have a photo of Bobo in a heart-shaped frame that I hold in my hand at take-off (and for about 5 minutes after), I store it in a lavender lace bag.....God forbid I can't find it before a trip, I tear this place apart. I bring it EVERY SINGLE TIME.

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  10. What beautiful memories of a handsome mancat. Thanks for sharing! Purrs

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  11. Thank you for sharing your lovely Bobo with us. I have also kept some things from my first pets. They help the memories live in my heart.

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  12. That was such a loving tribute to Angel Bobo.

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  13. There have been so many we have loved and cared for. I miss them all too. I miss Little Bit the most. She was the very best four legged family member ever.

    Have a purrfect day Cody. Give your mom extra loves today. ♥♥♥

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    1. Okay, now I remember what I said. I mean it too. 😎

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  14. A lovley tribute to a gorgeous Kitty,xx Speedy and Rachel

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  15. Big hugs to you! Bobo was indeed such a special cat. Some of his markings remind me of our late cat Miss Bones. Tigers were always my favorite, though we haven't had one since Bones. I loved your post and your beautiful words. I couldn't really find words today, I guess some days are just like that.

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    1. You DID find the words, BEAUTIFUL ones!! I thank you!!!! (((hugs))) to you about Miss Bones, I am partial to the "Tiger" kitties too.....Miss Bones had to have been one SPECIAL kitty! xoxo

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  16. Very nice tribute to your beautiful Bobo. He was a handsome boy and sounds like he was very sweet too. XO

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  17. Oh Dear Caren, thank you for sharing Bobo with us. What a very handsome boy. I love how Cody sleeps in Bobo's carrier now - yes they probably are communicating! They are probably sharing stories and talking about what a great cat mom you are. Thanks for sharing those pictures with us.

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  18. This post is the perfect length, Caren, because it allowed us to get to know your beloved Bobo even better. My goodness, he was a handsome boy! I love that you kept his things. I have two boxes full of my angel Rosie's toys, bowls, blankets, and even a can I had left over of her favorite food (I have a problem parting with anything associated with her, I'll be the first to admit). These boxes full of her stuff are in my bedroom closet, and I have not yet had the courage to go through them.

    I find it so sweet and special that you not only left Bobo's carrier as-is, but that Cody sleeps in it. The first time Thimble went into Rosie's old carrier, I'll be honest, I almost took Thimble out and hid the carrier, because I somehow convinced myself that that wouldn't be fair to Rosie. But when Thimble went into it, sat quietly and solemnly for a couple minutes, and then left after giving the door one cheek rub, I knew it was okay. It was like a rite of passage, if that makes any sense. (And you know what? The carrier I'm talking about is the exact same kind of pink carrier as the one in your pictures.)

    Well, that was honestly a longer comment than I intended. But, thank you, Caren, for sharing your Bobo with us. It is so obvious that you two had a one-of-a-kind bond. He will be with you always and forever.

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  19. He was handsum indeed awnty Caren. And we 'member da story of Cody hidin' out in da closet in Bobo's carrier. We think there's nuffin' wrong with puttin' things aside as mommy has several boxes filled with each fur baby's favorite toys and such put away fur safe keeping. Each new kitty gets new bowls, toys, beds etc. Altho' they may also play with any toys dat weren't put away too. Mommy says she doesn't think you ever get over da loss, you just learn to live in spite of it. We're sendin' big hugs.

    Luv ya'

    Dezi, Raena and mommy A

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  20. Bobo would say:

    "I love that Cody enjoys my crate, we're like brothers. We'll all be together again but don't make it too soon. When I was in deep distress, you were there for me and many other times also. We had great times together and you're worried about the color of the carrier? I always thought it was pink because of you."

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  21. Beautiful tribute to Bobo.
    I really like the Rainbow Bridge poeme or legend. Most of the time I hope that it's not a legend, that our "fur babies" are waiting for us in the green meadows beyond the bridge.
    Douce soirée
    Nat à Chat

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  22. I keep a memento of each of the cats that I have had so I totally understand you keeping Bobo's things. He sounds like a true heart cat.

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    1. He most definitely was.....I didn't even cover the tip of the iceberg. It was as if we were one, not separate

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  23. Thank you for sharing about Bobo.

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  24. *head bowed* to remember Angel Bobo and all those who left way too soon. xoxo TW keeps some favorite toys of the cats that came before me too and I' not allowed to play with them either.

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  25. We think your post is perfect, Caren. Not too long at all. Thank you for loving Bobo so much, and for sharing his memory with all of us. Hugs and purrs and love to you, dear friend.

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  26. The mom still has some of the things that belong to Bogart and Scooter, the cats that came before us, so she understands why you keep Bobo's things. Purrs to you as you remember your sweet boy today.

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  27. Thank you for sharing your memories of Bobo!

    Jenny, Gus, Pearl, and Jaq
    As the World Purrs

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  28. This is a beautiful tribute to Bobo, Caren. I know how much you love and miss him. I bet Cody goes into his carrier to talk with Bobo. I always say that Carmine goes into the pink cube when he wants to talk to Jewel since she loved being in thee so much. I do believe our babies are still around in spirit, even if we cannot see them. Hugs.

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  29. I have always loved the story of how you and Bobo found each other and your wonderful life together....he was a special boy and as we know, all of our pets become super special to us as they become part of our life. This has been an amazing day visiting everyone's remembrance posts.....so much love!

    Hugs, Pam

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  30. Beautiful tribute. I love that Cody can be close to Bobo via the carrier.

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  31. A beautiful tribute to Bobo. Hugs to you as you remember and honour him.

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  32. Beautiful tribute to beautiful Bobo. His markings are similar to my brother's cat Molly.

    Purrs and hugs xx
    Athena and Marie

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  33. What a loving tribute to your special cat, Bobo. The story of how Cody discovered Bobo's carrier and how he goes there everyday, is remarkable and touching. I can see how,it gives you comfort, Caren.
    Thank you for your visit. I hope you get back to Kauai and I will tell the island that you said "hi"!!!!

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  34. Aww, thanks Caren, for baring your heart's deep treasure and sharing you beloved Bobo with all of here in your blog.
    Bobo was such a handsome sweet heart wasn't he?
    We send you big hugs and loud meezer purrs.

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  35. Oh my how I love this tribute to Bobo, so touching, a little teary eyed. I like how Cody discovered the carrier and how it brings him comfort. There's defintiely a connection there between the two. He was indeed a truly handsome boy and thanks for sharing 😽

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  36. Thank you for sharing your memory of Bobo. He was so obviously a special cat.

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  37. Just scrolled down all your recent posts to see what I've missed and thankfully (hopefully) all is well. You know I'm not blogging or commenting much but had to read about Bobo. That is weird about Cody and the carrier. Is he okay?

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  38. Thank you for sharing the post it's really an emotional story. The hardest thing for pet owners is to part with their pets whom they loved and cared for so much. I hope that Bobo rest in peace.

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    1. Diana thank YOU!! Bobo was my true "soul kitty"...he is still a part of our lives EVERY DAY....barely a day goes by that I don't say his name or think of him. If I allow myself, I can cry just as hard today as I did the day I watched him go xoxoxo

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