Remembering Rudy

Oh, how my heart hurts

For my sweet boy Rudy

Has passed away

So sudden and unexpected

I’m surrounded by so many memories

Everywhere I turn

I remember where you were

Because everything has a story

You came into my life during some difficult years

I remember adopting you, this cute little orange kitten

Rather scrappy but oh so full of personality

That boy could purr

When we open the door

You were always there to greet us

You never knew a stranger

Always eager to meet someone new

Perched on your cat stand

You looked out the window

Watched the birds

Then napped in the sun

With patience you waited for your brother Junior

Until he came out of hiding three weeks later

Then you became fast friends for life

Sure, you had your little tussles but they didn’t last

When Sissy came along

You watched and waited for her

Soon she was with you 24/7

How her heart must be hurting right now

I will always remember our drive from California to Texas, 3 ½ days

3 kitties in their carries, 2 birds in a cage, winding our way in 2 cars

Junior and Sissy slept in their litter box and piddled in their beds

Only Rudy got it right

Oh, how my sweet boy loved sunshine

Catching a patch of morning sunshine in the office

Sitting on the tub for early afternoon

Catching the last rays of sun as you lay on our bed

Boy oh boy, did Rudy love to eat

The big boy with the tiny meow

Persistently and loudly let us know it was breakfast time

Getting close to dinner, Rudy was there to keep me on track

Rudy knew the real deal

A piece of chicken or tuna, uh no thank you

Cat treats, No!  Wouldn’t touch it!

He stuck with the real stuff, canned food and dry

Towards the end of his days

When his sight was failing

He would tap his water so he could know it was there

Then we would find a little trail of Rudy prints on the floor

Rudy loved to be loved

He loved to meet new people

He made friends where ever he went, even the vets

We often heard, “He is so sweet!”

But he had a special friendship

With our friend Julie

My social butterfly needed companionship

So, Julie came and spent time with him while we were away

When we had guests

The other kitties were scarce

But Rudy safely guarded Ron and Carol

Keeping watch just outside their door

Rudy loved water, at bath time

He would sit on the side and drape his tail in the water

After a shower, he could be found sitting in the stall

Not the least disturbed by the water

Clipping his nails was a breeze

I could easily snip them off and be done

Not so with Junior who has to be tackled

Taking three times longer

Rudy wasn’t fearful or afraid

I never heard him growl or hiss

Towards the end, he was leery of our new dryer

He could see the clothes through the glass door and rushed on by

My favorite time with Ru was nap time

He would never sit on my lap

But he loved to curl up and lay by my side

Tucked safely under the blanket

He slept better than anyone I’ve ever known

And he snored…loudly!

When we let him sleep in our room

He slept the whole night through

It was fun to watch Rudy, even in his old age

Have moments when he was frisky and playful

Batting a catnip mouse on the floor

Or watching the ball go around the cat scratcher

The end came sudden and so unexpected

What seemed like a simple vet visit

Soon escalated into something serious

We had a hard decision to make

You sought to be alone, curled up in a corner

Suddenly, Sissy hissed, was afraid and stayed away

Junior who had been with you for years

Wouldn’t come near and ran away

As you laid in your bed in the sun

Sissy fearfully peered around the corner

With big eyes she watched

Then ran away

As we drove to the vet

I sat beside you

Petting you for the last time

My poor boy, you were suffering and in pain

In tears we held you

Heard you purr your last purr

And then you were gone

Rudy, you took a piece of my heart with you

It’s hard walking in our home and remember you are no longer there

Each room I enter there are memories of you

I miss you my sweet boy, you were my ray of sunshine

Ever so grateful that you were ours for 13 ½ years

Rudy, mama’s sweet boy

Adopted October 28, 2006

Died May 7, 2020