Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Honoring My "Baby Bobo" on Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day

FROM CAT CHAT WITH CAREN AND CODY: I was going to do a new post for this year but Dakota had a dental yesterday where he had 2 teeth removed (he is doing GREAT!!), so needless to say, I have been a bit distracted. To those who have seen this post the past few years, sorry.......to new readers, hope you enjoy reading about 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. 







39 comments:

  1. Hi Caren. Great news re: Dakota!

    And lots of hugs as you remember your Baby Bobo today. Purrs from N & D.

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    1. thank you sooo much!! You KNOW I was terrified. My boy was a trooper! (((hugs))) to you too! Wish you were on Blog Lovin' because blogs are still not coming to my email and at least some of them I can catch up with there! xoxo

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  2. Healing hugs Dakota...I have a oral procedure scheduled for 9/17...

    Mom I enjoyed walking down Memory lane today...so precious
    Hugs Cecilia

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    1. thank you so much!!!!!! Best of luck to YOU and YOUR procedure!!!! Sending xoxoxo Thanks so much about the post too!! xoxoxo

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  3. You're such a wonderful person. Saving Baby Bobo was a good thing.

    Have a wonderful Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day. Big hug. ♥

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    1. Awww Sandee THANK YOU!!! But...you are waaaaay more "wonderful" than I am!!!!!Bobo and I were both so blessed. We were blessed to have 18 wonderful years together. Sending lots of love to you!

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  4. Hugs as you remember your special Angel Bobo, the love will always be there.

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  5. Beautiful post and what sweet story about Cody and Bobo's carrier. So moving.

    Purrs xx
    Athena and Marie

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  6. Lots of purrs to you as you remember Bobo today. <3

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  7. We always love reading and seeing pics of Bobo and his pink PTU. Thanks for sharing your heart with him and sharing him with us. He'll always be with you and live in your heart. Sending healing purrz for Dakota.

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    1. thank you! to this day I can't figure out what possessed me to make that poor boy have a PINK PTU!!!!! And...Cody must like pink too! Geeze...I should have switched it out at some point in Bobo's 18 years! Talk about cheap! Thanks so much for the purrz for Dakota too! xoxo

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  8. Purrs to you today as you remember your precious boy. I've always packed up each cats toys into a memory box so others couldn't use them. Truffles had an extra special snuggle bed that she practically lived in. I couldn't bear to put it away after I lost her so I left it out for Mudpie. She never liked it, and I was kind of glad. It will always belong to Truffles.

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  9. You were blessed little Bobo to have lived in a home of love ... and to be so remembered and treasured.

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  10. Purrs to you on this day of remembering. We know how special Bobo was to you. (We’re glad Dakota is doing well!)

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  11. Bobo Osrin... so sweet. Love you and special barks to Dakota!

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    1. MOL!!!!! We love you too and thanks for the barks for Dakota!

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  12. Love to you as you remember your beloved Bobo. He was so special, and and it's incredibly moving to read your tribute to him. It's gets me every time, Caren!

    We're glad to hear about Dakota. Sending healing purrs and prayers!

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    1. you are just the sweetest! Thanks so much about Dakota too, he was a real trooper and is doing well! Thank you!! xoxo

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  13. I’ll never get tired of the story of your beloved Bobo. And of course the story about that pink carrier gives me a giggle. 😸

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  14. What a lovely tribute to Bobo. Today I am remembering our cat Carlsberg who lived until he was 18. He was a farm cat but it didn't take him long to settle into domestic life!
    Around My Kitchen Table
    That's Purrfect

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  15. What wonderful remembrances of your dear Angel Bobo. Dad went through all the same stuff with two previous longtime old fart companions and knows the feeling well. Thank you for sharing this beautiful post.

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  16. Angel Bobo was a special boy indeed and I've heard your story before but never get tired of all the LOVE in the words. You know Angel Sammy was my heart cat too. I think Cody visits Bobo in that carrier too! I truly do feel Sammy with me all the time and I believe Teddy "knows" that he's around as well. We have our memories dear Caren and nobody can take that away from us ever.

    Hugs and love, Pam

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    1. ((((hugs)))) Pam that was so beautifully written. I sooo miss Sammy and I bet he DOES visit Teddy and I KNOW he is with YOU for sure. He was your boy, definitely your "heart" cat. Sending much love to you!

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  17. Thanks so much for sharing Bobo with us. He was one fine ManCat

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  18. Aww Bobo!! What a handsome boy! He reminds me of a mix of my very first cat and my recent foster buddy. He, like Bobo, wasn't much of a crowd/people person but oh so very special. Bobo was so lucky to have you to call Mom and provide a loving place for him for many years. RIP sweet boy! Sending you only positive thoughts and lots of love Caren.

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  19. We celebrate the memory of Angel Bobo with you! Handsome, handsome, handsome! When Kitty passed, I retired several of her favorite things. Of course, Bear made it a game to find and dig them out - but he hasn't done that in a while.

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  20. Fantastic post.

    Really enjoyed reading it and it held my attention all the way through! Keep it up.

    Read my Latest Post

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  21. It's never easy to lose our precious pets. Hugs to you.

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  22. What a lovely tribute to your handsome Bobo. I have been trying to put together a post for my Midge who passed recently after 18 years. They are always in our hearts and minds.

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    1. thank you so much, I am so sorry about your loss of Midge (((hugs))))) Bobo was 18 too xoxo

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  23. Me too, I have heard that so often and it makes me angry. The first time I heard that I was shocked that peeps I thought had more caring cells inside of them, well, obviously they did not. And they have not known the love of a kitty. I hope they don't have any kitties either:(

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  24. I don't mind re-reading about your precious and most special Bobo.
    I wish I had the time and wherewithal to post about our five kitty angels, and of course MJF.

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