Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day: Honoring My "Baby Bobo"

ABOUT RAINBOW BRIDGE REMEMBRANCE DAY:

Deb Barnes founded Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day (RBRD) in 2015 as a special day for pet guardians to honor the memory of those beloved pets in their life they have loved and lost, but never forgotten – whether fur, fin, feathers, scales or something else. It’s held every year on August 28, in honor of the day Deb had to say goodbye to her  precious Ragdoll cat, Mr. Jazz, the meow author of Purr Prints of the Heart – A Cat’s Tale of Life, Death, and Beyond.  Be sure to share your posts, photos, videos, etc. on Facebook too by clicking this link.

My "Baby Bobo"





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.
Painting of Bobo by Becart


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. 







40 comments:

  1. Our pets take a bit of us when they go and leave us with lots of loving memories. Purrs and hugs!

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  2. Purrs to you today as you remember Bobo - he was such a special guy, and it's so obvious every time you mention him.

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    1. thank you so very much. He truly was. (((hugs)) to you too!

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  3. Bobo reminds me of my Abbey who was shy around strangers but was very affectionate and had a special bond with me.

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    1. That's exactly how he was. He didn't really like anyone except me, my ex husband and my current husband. He was completely obsessed with me as I was with him.

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  4. What a sweetie. We'll remember, too.

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  5. Bobo was your "heart cat" just as Sammy was mine.....we love ALL our babies through all the years but sometimes one or two just hold on tighter don't they. Sending you a big hug of comfort on this day of remembrance.

    Love, Pam

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    1. Yep Pam, your bond with Sammy ALWAYS reminded me of mine with Bobo. Sending YOU hugs of comfort as well as you remember xoxo

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  6. A post can never be too long when it is dedicated to one you have and always will love so much. Sending you hugs as you remember Bobo.

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    1. that was sooo kind!! Sending you (((hugs))) back as well, I miss and love your boys!

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  7. That was so very special and we send you hugs as you remember your special Angel Bobo.

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  8. Of course Bob and Cody communicate; cats can see more dimensions than we can, plus they can do a whole time-travel thing...I'm sure of it! Hugs to you today.

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  9. How blessed you are for having a Bobo in your life.

    Emma and Buster

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  10. Those tabby stripes wind themselves around our hearts and never let go.
    xxoo

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  11. Beautiful Baby Bobo was the start of a life full of furbabes. Mom always tells me those who came before ME are the reason I'm here and I should be thankful
    Hugs madi and Mom

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    1. you have a wise Mama, but we already knew she is wise! xoxo

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  12. We have a shrine for our Little Bit. We did save her first toy and many other things that were hers. I see we all do the same kinds of things. We miss them and always will.

    Have a blessed Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day. ♥

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  13. Bobo was such a cutie. He reminds me of my first cat Precious with the markings. Thanks for sharing your personal story in memory of BOBO this Remembrance Day. They live in our hearts forever!

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  14. Thanks for sharing your dear Bobo. He sure had a long life, but it wasn't long enough, was it!

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  15. Awww! Your story made me cry ugly! Bobo sounds like a wonderful cat and I also believe Cody enjoys the pink kennel because of Bobo. ♥

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    1. No!! Not the "ugly cry" you silly woman!!! Bobo was soo sensitive, not a people cat at all like Cody is. Cody STILL uses that kennel ALL of the time!

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  16. Bobo was a beautiful boy, very nice tribute. I keep ashes of Phoebe and Lucy in the closet and it seems that Joanie and Prancie like to go pay their respects in there. XO

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    1. it's strange how they discover those things, isn't it? xoxo

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  17. This is so beautiful, Caren. Bobo was a lovely cat and you were both so lucky to have found each other.

    Purrs xx
    Athena and Marie

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    1. Thanks so much! It's actually the same post I have used for the past few years. I was going to write a new one, and my husband made a good point, he said "Why, when you honored him so well in this post?" I agree......thank you so much! xoxo

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  18. Beautiful tribute to your sweet Bobo. TW has something from every pet including toys I can't play with, collars, even the casts Faith had around her paws after Gramma declawed her not knowing any better. Oh yeah, and the tip of Nicky's tail. Long story.

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    1. Thank you! Yep, I have bowls, toys, bed...Cody isn't permitted to use the bowls or toys....I have one bed of Bobo's and it's strange that Cody has NEVER even attempted to use it. OMG the tip of Nicky's tail??? OMG!!

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  19. I always enjoy reading about your precious Bobo. He holds such a beautiful spot in your heart and I also love how he and Cody communicated with one another. Love and purrs from Deb, Mr. Jazz, and the Zee/Zoey gang.

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    1. Thanks so much Deb! Even if you have seen this before (wink)......xoxo

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  20. That painting of Bobo is stunning! My Kitty died about the same time as Bobo and I still can't get over it. Beautiful tribute to a cat that made all the difference, like my Kitty :)

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    1. Thank you! I won that on a blog years ago (I should have included the necklace that I have now but was too busy to change this post). Yep your kitty made all the difference too!

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  21. Yeah, you have me blubbering now too. I feel better knowing I'm not the only one who refuses to use Lady Butterfly's and Mewdy Blue's carriers. Okay, I also keep toys, collars and leashes. Unfortunately I had to stop blogging when Mewdy Blue passed. I just couldn't do it anymore. Here's to everyone who is remembering their special cats today.

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    1. Oh I soo understand! Now that Cody is older, I often think about what I would do.....like you, I know I couldn't continue blogging. This blog is HIS....I soo get it. Sending you (((hugs)))

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  22. You have such good memories of your Angel Bobo, Sending you lots of purrs.....

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  23. Caren, these are such beautiful memories of your beloved Bobo. Sending you love, hugs and purrs as you remember your special little angel.

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  24. Beautiful little girl. You are so blessed. You will have fun playing with her, spoiling her and making memories with her. Congratulations.������‍♀️��‍♀️������‍��‍��‍����‍��‍

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  25. What a special bond Cody must share with Bobo through his carrier. That is so interesting! What a lovely post about your beautiful Bobo.

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  26. Over the years we have come to learn a lot about Bobo. Caren he was one special cat and I am glad that you are celebrating his life today!
    Love Barb

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