My Baby Bobo: It is 10 Years Today

Some of you might remember this post from the last few years. It is now a tradition, that I post this on the anniversary of my beloved Bobo's passing. The only change I made was that Bobo is now gone 10 years and I deleted a photo and added a new one.  Sorry about the quality of the photos, they are quite old, they were taken when blogs didn't exist! I also chose to publish this at 6:30pm EST which is the approximate time that Bobo left to go to the Rainbow Bridge. 

Bobo is who this blog is dedicated to.

 There would be no blog if I hadn't shared my life with Bobo.

 My Baby Bobo, I miss you today, I'll miss you tomorrow,

 I will miss you until the day we meet again.

It is 10 years ago today that I lost my beloved Bobo, or my "Baby Bobo" as I often called him.

Bobo passed the day after his 18th birthday.

He was  my  "Soul Kitty".

 What is a "Soul Kitty?"

 A "Soul Kitty" is a  once-in-a- lifetime pet.

A "Soul Kitty" is  the yin to our yang.

A "Soul Kitty" is  a  pet tied more deeply to us than many people in our lives have been, or could ever hope to be.  Our fur babies are ALL special but I believe if you think really hard there is one who stands out from the others.

  A "Soul Kitty" is the  one whose fur would be dampened by our tears as he  snuggled peacefully by our side, just to offer us comfort.

A "Soul Kitty" is the one who makes us laugh til our sides ache, watching  his kitty craziness.

I was upset with Bobo's behavior one day
and packed his kitty toys
in a bandana

A "Soul Kitty" is the one who you swore that " there was no other cat out there quite like him" (isn't it funny how we ALL say that about our cats?).

The passing of Bobo was the most horrible thing that has happened in my life (next to my Father's passing).  So many of you can relate to the devastating heartbreak that one just doesn't have the words for. The pain was crippling. I lived for him as much as he lived for me. A part of me died with him. In order to cope, I chose to make some collages and hang them in our condo (where they still hang today). I needed to see him in every room, the thought of his face not greeting me each day was too much to bear.

The above photo, (in the same frame), was prominently displayed on my desk at every job I had. When I travel, I will NOT travel without it. Bobo has joined me on every airplane trip since he passed. I keep that photo in a special mesh bag, I hold it when the plane takes off and kiss it. My Angel Bobo is MY Guardian Angel.

For many years Bobo and I lived on our own. I had no other pets, Bobo WAS the only pet, and my baby. I wasn't married for many of the years we were together and I would customarily leave for work at 7am and not return home until after 6pm. I had a lovely window at my old apartment that was on the first floor. Bobo used to enjoy passing many hours watching deer, birds, and even our maintenance people (who knew him as a fixture in the window and knew him by name), while he waited for me to return home. It never mattered what time I returned, when I would pull into my parking spot, there would be Bobo, waiting for his Mama's return.

 For those of you who believe that cats (and humans and other pets), communicate with us from beyond, an eerie thing happened. Soon after Bobo's passing, my  husband and my sister-in-law had gone to an Art fair and I stayed home. My husband surprised me with a portrait he had bought that bore not only a striking resemblance to my Bobo, but it was as if whomever created the portrait had seen my window at my old apartment. I burst into tears when I saw it. It is probably the most beautiful and cherished gift I have ever received. I would like to share that with you:

I am convinced that Bobo found a window in heaven

where he is waiting for me.

The portrait still hangs in my living room.

When Bobo was still a young cat, very much alive and vital, I often played music in the apartment that we shared.  There was one song, "Tears In Heaven" by Eric Clapton,  that for some reason Bobo particularly liked.  Whenever it would come on he would come walking into whatever room I was in. He would rub his head and face against my hand or my leg. He did this so often that I began to call it "Bobo's Love Song" or  "The Kitty Love Song" . I used to become sad thinking that one day, even if it WAS many years down the road, my Bobo would no longer be with me.  Even with Bobo being so young the thought would bring me to tears.  I couldn't imagine not having  my "Baby Bobo" in my life.  It has  been ten years since my Baby Bobo passed and:

I still can't

"Tears In Heaven"

Some of you might remember this post from the last few years. It is now a tradition, that I post this on the anniversary of my beloved Bobo's passing. The only change I made was that Bobo is now gone 7 years and this year I added a few photos and a few extra paragraphs that are extremely important to me. Sorry about the quality of the photos, they are quite old. 

Bobo is who this blog is dedicated to.

 There would be no Cat Chat if I hadn't shared my life with Bobo.

 My Baby Bobo, I miss you today, I'll miss you tomorrow,

 I will miss you until the day we meet again.  

It is 7 years ago today that I lost my beloved Bobo, or my "Baby Bobo" as I often called him.

Bobo passed the day after his 18th birthday.

He was  my  "Soul Kitty".

 What is a "Soul Kitty?"

 A "Soul Kitty" is a  once-in-a- lifetime pet.

A "Soul Kitty" is  the yin to our yang.

A "Soul Kitty" is  a  pet tied more deeply to us than many people in our lives have been, or could ever hope to be.  Our fur babies are ALL special but I believe if you think really hard there is just one who stands out from the others.

  A "Soul Kitty" is the  one whose fur would be dampened by our tears as he  snuggled peacefully by our side, just to offer us comfort.

A "Soul Kitty" is the one who makes us laugh til our sides ache, watching  his kitty craziness.

I was upset with Bobo's behavior one day
and packed his kitty toys
in a bandana

A "Soul Kitty" is the one who you swore that " there was no other cat out there quite like him" (isn't it funny how we ALL say that about our cats?).

The passing of Bobo was the most horrible thing that has happened in my life (next to my Father's passing).  So many of you can relate to the devastating heartbreak that one just doesn't have the words for. The pain was crippling. I lived for him as much as he lived for me. A part of me died with him. In order to cope, I chose to make some collages and hang them in our condo (where they still hang today). I needed to see him in every room, the thought of his face not greeting me each day was too much to bear.

This clock still hangs in our kitchen

The above photo, (in the same frame), was prominently displayed on my desk at every job I had. When I travel, I will NOT travel without it. Bobo has joined me on every airplane trip since he passed. I keep that photo in a black velvet bag, I hold it when the plane takes off and kiss it. My Angel Bobo is MY Guardian Angel.


For many years Bobo and I lived on our own. I had no other pets, Bobo WAS the only pet, and my baby. I wasn't married for many of the years we were together and I would customarily leave for work at 7am and not return home until after 6pm. I had a lovely window at my old apartment that was on the first floor. Bobo used to enjoy passing many hours watching deer, birds, and even our maintenance people (who knew him as a fixture in the window and knew him by name), while he waited for me to return home. It never mattered what time I returned, when I would pull into my parking spot, there would be Bobo, waiting for his Mama's return.

 For those of you who believe that cats (and humans and other pets), communicate with us from beyond, an eerie thing happened. Soon after Bobo's passing, my  husband and my sister-in-law had gone to an Art fair and I stayed home. My husband surprised me with a portrait he had bought that bore not only a striking resemblance to my Bobo, but it was as if whomever created the portrait had seen my window. I burst into tears when I saw it. It is probably the most beautiful and cherished gift I have ever received. I would like to share that with you:

I am convinced that Bobo found a window in heaven

where he is waiting for me.

The portrait still hangs in my living room.

When Bobo was still a young cat, very much alive and vital, I often played music in the apartment that we shared.  There was one song, "Tears In Heaven" by Eric Clapton,  that for some reason Bobo particularly liked.  Whenever it would come on he would come walking into whatever room I was in. He would rub his head and face against my hand or my leg. He did this so often that I began to call it "Bobo's Love Song" or  "The Kitty Love Song" . I used to become sad thinking that one day, even if it WAS many years down the road, my Bobo would no longer be with me.  Even with Bobo being so young the thought would bring me to tears.  I couldn't imagine not having  my "Baby Bobo" in my life.  It has  been seven years since my Baby Bobo passed and:

I still can't

"Tears In Heaven"

Some of you might remember this post from last year. It is now a tradition, that I post this on the anniversary of my beloved Bobo's passing. The only change I made was that Bobo is now gone 6 years and this year I changed a few photos. Sorry about the quality of the photos, they are quite old. The song mentioned in the blog heading  was Bobo's "love song"....when thinking of what I wanted to write this year....all I could think of was publishing this post again.

Bobo is who this blog is dedicated to.

 There would be no Cat Chat if I hadn't shared my life with Bobo.

 My Baby Bobo, I miss you today, I'll miss you tomorrow,

 I will miss you until the day we meet again.  

It is 6 years ago today that I lost my beloved Bobo, or my "Baby Bobo" as I often called him.

Bobo passed the day after his 18th birthday.

He was  my  "Soul Kitty".

 What is a "Soul Kitty?"

 A "Soul Kitty" is a  once-in-a- lifetime pet.

A "Soul Kitty" is  the yin to our yang.

A "Soul Kitty" is  a  pet tied more deeply to us than many people in our lives have been, or could ever hope to be.  Our fur babies are ALL special but I believe if you think really hard there is just one who stands out from the others.

  A "Soul Kitty" is the  one whose fur would be dampened by our tears as he  snuggled peacefully by our side, just to offer us comfort.

A "Soul Kitty" is the one who makes us laugh til our sides ache, watching  his kitty craziness.

I was upset with Bobo's behavior one day
and packed his kitty toys
in a bandana

A "Soul Kitty" is the one who you swore that " there was no other cat out there quite like him" (isn't it funny how we ALL say that about our cats?)

When Bobo was still a young cat, very much alive and vital, I often played music in the apartment that we shared.  There was one song, "Tears In Heaven" by Eric Clapton,  that for some reason Bobo particularly liked.  Whenever it would come on he would come walking into whatever room I was in. He would rub his head and face against my hand or my leg. He did this so often that I began to call it "Bobo's Love Song" or  "The Kitty Love Song" . I used to become sad thinking that one day, even if it WAS many years down the road, my Bobo would no longer be with me.  Even with Bobo being so young the thought would bring me to tears.  I couldn't imagine not having  my "Baby Bobo" in my life.  It's been six years since Bobo passed.

I still cant.

"Tears In Heaven"

Some of you might remember this post from last year. The only change I made was that Bobo is now gone 5 years. The above song was Bobo's "love song"....when thinking of what I wanted to write this year....all I could think of was publishing this post again. My Baby Bobo, I miss you today, I'll miss you tomorrow, I will miss you until the day we meet again.  

My "Baby Bobo"

It is 5 years ago today that I lost my beloved Bobo, or my "Baby Bobo" as I often called him.

Bobo passed the day after his 18th birthday.

He was  my  "Soul Kitty". 

Bobo at about 6 mos old when I found him as a stray

 What is a "Soul Kitty?"

 A "Soul Kitty" is a  once-in-a- lifetime pet.

A "Soul Kitty" is  the yin to our yang.

A "Soul Kitty" is  a  pet tied more deeply to us than many people in our lives have been, or could ever hope to be.  Our fur babies are ALL special but I believe if you think really hard there is just one who stands out from the others.

  A "Soul Kitty" is the  one whose fur would be dampened by our tears as he  snuggled peacefully by our side, just to offer us comfort.

A "Soul Kitty" is the one who makes us laugh til our sides ache, watching  his kitty craziness.

A "Soul Kitty" is the one who you swore that " there was no other cat out there quite like him" (isn't it funny how we ALL say that about our cats?)

Bobo a few months before he passed

When Bobo was still a young cat, very much alive and vital, I often played music in the apartment that we shared.  There was one song, "Tears In Heaven" by Eric Clapton,  that for some reason Bobo particularly liked.  Whenever it would come on he would come walking into whatever room I was in. He would rub his head and face against my hand or my leg. He did this so often that I began to call it "Bobo's Love Song" or  "The Kitty Love Song" . I used to become sad thinking that one day, even if it WAS many years down the road, my Bobo would no longer be with me.  Even with Bobo being so young the thought would bring me to tears.  I couldn't imagine not having  my "Baby Bobo" in my life.  It's been five years since Bobo passed.

I still cant.





For my Bobo and  all of those one-of-a-kind "Soul Kitties" who lived their lives strictly for  the purpose of loving US,  thank you,  you are missed and loved to Heaven and back.

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. 

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. 

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day: Honoring My "Baby Bobo"

FROM CAT CHAT WITH CAREN AND CODY: This post first appeared last year, I was going to write a new post and include a give-away, but yesterday I had an AWFUL kidney stone attack. (Thank God for meds! Because of pain meds I didn't have to go to the hospital.) Please be sure to stop by this WEDNESDAY for a special Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day Give-Away from Memorial Glass Pendants.

ABOUT RAINBOW BRIDGE REMEMBRANCE DAY:

"Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day was founded in 2015 by Deborah Barnes, award-winning author and blogger of Zee & Zoey's Cat Chronicles in tribute to her Ragdoll cat, Mr. Jazz, who she had to say goodbye to on August 28, 2013. She shared the journey of letting him go in her critically acclaimed book, Purr Prints of the Heart – A Cat’s Tale of Life, Death, and Beyond and decided to create the day in his honor as a way for others across the world to share memories of their own pets they had loved and lost." 

 To share your post, poem, video, special photo or special memory on Facebook, click here.

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. 

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.