Welcome

to

the Memorial of

Booboo Kitty
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Booboo, a 3 1/2 pound, 20 year old calico born in CT and transplanted in NY.
A kitty who is very precious and a special companion.
She has been such a blessing in my life and is loved very much!
Thank you to a dear friend named Lorraine who has opened her heart and
beautiful home to Booboo and who has cared so much for her!
I will love you unconditionally always.

Dear Booboo, I will never forget the most valuable trade I had ever made. Always will
I remember the vacuum cleaner!

Early February, my dear Booboo suffered a stroke that has caused some difficulty in her ability 
to get around. Amazingly she has enormous strength and desire to gain and maintain as much 
independence as possible. After returning from the vet, I had
 been moving her about in a wheeled chair 
as well as carrying her and feeding her but when I left her alone, I had noticed she was getting around 
and taking care of herself! Being a person with disABILITIES, I was very attuned to her needs. So, one
 thing I made sure was she had easy access to and from the daily needs of her litter box by constructing 
a ramp and steps as I wanted her to have as much of the independence she so much needed. 
She is quite remarkable and a very special gift that has given me something I have seldom had much 
of in this world and that is "Unconditional Love!"

March 29th, 2008, my precious Booboo went to a special place. A place where she will no
longer feel pain, hunger or the struggle to just move around. The struggle I lived with for some
time was in doing the right thing. See, my dad and I had spoken a week or so before and his words
"Think of Booboo and don't be selfish in thinking of yourself." He also mentioned that if he or 
someone else I loved was terminally ill, they would not want to be kept alive but allowed to pass 
with dignity and compassion. His forward but loving words stayed around haunting me during 
those few difficult weeks. Do I keep her alive or let her go? I believe one of the most
difficult decisions a pet lover will ever make is whether to put their beloved pet to sleep.
 Each day I would gather some chicken soup and water and feed her thru a syringe 
as well as try and get her to eat some solids. Keeping her comfortable as possible with 
a heating pad and comforter, I would spend time sitting with her just laying besides her, 
talking to her, singing to her and letting her know how much I love her. There is truly so 
much power in the simple phrase "I LOVE YOU" because in her eyes, I could see it so. 
On the morning of the 29th, there was something in her eyes letting me know that she had 
had enough. It was time to go and be with our loving Lord G-d. No longer was it a difficult 
decision to make as I knew that the suffering had to end. Out of my last act of "I LOVE YOU" 
to her, I made her comfortable for her last trip in the van to the animal hospital and
 within the 20 minutes of arriving at the animal hospital, she was being examined
and, within a few minutes later, the final decision was made. 
Trying to keep myself together, I cuddled her head, looked deep into her eyes as 
she looked deep into mine and began singing the following:

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, 
You make me happy when skies are gray 
You'll never know just how much I love you 
So please don't take my sunshine away...

After the song , there was a moment of silence as she spread her wings for her journey home 
to be with G-d. I know now that she is at peace and suffers no more but the grieving process 
for me will be a long road. She is someone that has touched my life in such a way that there 
will forever be an emptiness in my heart.
I LOVE YOU very much Booboo.



The lives that Booboo has touched where immense as she was truly very special and a great gift.
I still remember the day I found her on the beach in Fairfield, CT. Looking for a spot to get comfortable 
to wait for the 4th of July fireworks. As we were sitting there, this adorable year or so old tortoise shell 
calico strolled by in front of us. My friend commented about wanting to pick the cat up so we both agreed 
and went after her. Holding her the rest of the time we were at the beach, no one came by to claim her, 
so took her home.
At first I was not sure I wanted a cat but shortly afterwards, the decision was made.

Rubber Bands, Rubber Bands...
One day while returning from an outing, I had noticed something peculiar about Booboo. It seemed she had
something hanging from her mouth that just did not look right. Upon closer examination, it appeared to be a
rubber band. What made it most bizzar was that another identical piece had been hanging from her rear.
Being baffled, hysterical and dumbfounded at the same time as she ran off (possibly in shame?), I was trying to
figure out how to take it out. Which end first... So, after collecting my thoughts and catching up with her, the 
rubber band ectomy was completed from the "business end" and all was well. Booboo was once again respectable.

Today, I look back on that day and say it was one of the greatest decisions I made. Not truly knowing her birthday, 
I decided that her special day would be July, 4th as she would always be my little "Independence Day Kitty." 
The funny thing is I could never remember  how she was given the name Booboo. She did live up to the name 
and it was a name that always seemed to fit her though. One of the funny times I remember with her 
was after watching a show on cats, there was this particular fact that showed when a cat is dropped from a height, 
they will usually upright themselves to land on their feet. Well, since that fact had amazed me so, I had to put "science" 
to the test and find out how true it was. Gathering some couch cushions, I placed them in the living room 
in a manner to allow the science "experiment" to move forward. With a friend on one end of the cushions, 
and I on the other end, I gently began sending her aloft on her brief journey upward and each and every time 
she would come back down into the cushions on her feet. The great thing about the "experiment" was that she 
did not seem to mind because she pretty much stayed in the cushions and waited to be picked back up. 

"Thank goodness you spend much of the time sitting, your lap is the most comforting spot I know of."
Something that was always special to me was where she would find enormous comfort, my lap. A place
that was great for the both of us since I would enjoy taking her places with me and knew she would stay.
Since being in a wheelchair, it would be difficult to carry her and move about. One of the beautiful places that
I will always remember was the walkway along the Bronx River Parkway in Westchester County, NY. Since the
parkway is considered a park, there was so much beauty with the various trees (and their colors in the autumn),
flowers, and river complete with swans and geese. Ah, the geese... The geese were plentiful and vocal. 
On one ocassion in particular, I decided to just sit out back and watch the people go by. In looking for that perfect spot, 
I had noticed Boo was acting different in that she was trying to hide and lay low. She would burry her head into my side
and ocassionally "peak out" to see if they were gone. Seeing they were still there, she would again go back into "hiding."
I had tried to comfort her in letting her know I would protect her from the "big bad geese" but it didn't work until they were
pretty much out of site. Most people would pass by looking at me with her sitting on my lap wondering why I would take her
out without some leash or restraint (like the time I sat along a semi busy roadway brushing her and watching the cars go by)
as one woman pretty much let me know I was crazy for doing it. But, I replied we have been doing it for so many years,
she has never left my lap outside before. She would always be safe in the most comforting spot she knew of...
I will always miss the beautiful places in Westchester County, New York. Truly a place where memories were made.

Many of the lives that Booboo touched were from people I volunteered with to friends/acquaintances that 
have come into my life. One of my friends who particularly interested Booboo was Richard. Richard was 
someone who did not seem to enjoy the company of cats very much but Booboo would try to change his mind. 
She would often go to him and want his attention as if to be saying "how can you not want to get to know me?"

A place she would occasionally go to with me was a camp in upstate Connecticut. A very special camp for
persons with disABILITIES. I was a camp counselor and computer instructor for a few week. Being I was gone
for a period of time, I would take Booboo and keep her in my office and at my friend's place upstate. The wonderful
thing was she loved it up there and so many of the campers loved her and wanted to hold and pet her. Also, I believe
this was wonderful therapy! The biggest concern I did have was for her safety though as this was a camp for persons
with disABILITIES. There were plenty of wheelchairs, power wheelchairs and scooters. Fortunately people slowed
around her to let her move about as well as they were always excited to see her and want to hold her on there laps.

During a very dark day in America, on 9/11/01, a close friend of mine named Bob stepped in to care for her for 
a few weeks while I was volunteering doing various disaster related relief with the American Red Cross and 
emergency communications thru Ham Radio. Bob is very special because he is just someone with a big heart. 
I would not have been able to do what I did had he not been there for us. I remember him saying "his contribution 
to America was taking care of Booboo because if he didn't, I would not have been able to care for those in need." 

Another friend whom she was often intrigued with was Cliff. Cliff would come over occasionally and want to sit 
in his "usual chair" (stool as my friends broke the backs off the chairs by leaning on them) but would always have 
to move Booboo out of it or get another chair. For some reason, it seemed like Booboo would find Cliff's attention and 
favorite spot another source of comfort. Also, since I had to make sure that the apt was "baby proofed," 
I constructed and placed a sign that read the following: "Please check all rubber bands and weapons at the door
Since Booboo had the hunger for rubber bands, it was most appropriate to start off on the sign.  
As for the weapons part, many of my friends were police officers and knew they would get a kick of out it.

A special person who touched Booboo's life was Lorraine. So special did Lorraine see Booboo that she "rewrote" 
the words from the song "Must Be Santa Clause" by Mitch Miller:

Must Be Booboo
By Lorraine-4/2/07
Who is black and brown and white?
Booboo is black and brown and white!

 Who lays on papers day or night?
Booboo lays on papers day or night!
 

Black, brown white
Day or night
Must Be Booboo, Must Be Booboo, Must Be Booboo Kitty Cat!
 

Who does “meow” as her talk?
Booboo does “meow” as her talk!

Who goes sideways in her walk?
Booboo goes sideways in her walk!

 “Meow” her talk,
Sideways walk,

Black, brown, white,
Day or night,
Must Be Booboo, Must Be Booboo, Must Be Booboo Kitty Cat!

 Who has to enter an empty box?
Booboo has to enter an empty box!

 Who likes to smell both shoes and socks?
Booboo likes to smell both shoes and socks!
 

Enter Box,
Smell those Socks,

“Meow” her talk,
Sideways walk,

Black, brown, white,
Day or night,
Must Be Booboo, Must Be Booboo, Must Be Booboo Kitty Cat!

 Who has a special rubbing love?
Booboo has a special rubbing love!
 

Who is soft as a cooing dove?
Booboo is soft as a cooing dove!

Rubbing Love,
Cooing Dove,
Enter Box,
Smell those Socks,

“Meow” her talk,
Sideways walk,
Black, brown, white,
Day or night,

Must Be Booboo, Must Be Booboo, Must Be Booboo Kitty Cat!

There are just so many fond and beautiful memories of my beloved precious Booboo that over time, 
I plan to continue the writings. She has left a very big part of my heart forever empty but at the same 
time has left my heart so full of very special memories that can never be taken away.


Is it ok to open your heart again so soon?
April 4th. As another way to honor my baby's memory, I decided to head over to the local SPCA 
and make a donation in her memory. By giving a donation, I felt it was a way to continue showing 
my love for her in other animals that were less fortunate with a place to call home as well as someone 
to love and who loves them in providing care unselfishly being many volunteer their time over there.

After filling out the paperwork and making a donation, I decided to make a visit to the "free range room" 
(which is a place where the cats are kept in a community type setting) where there were so many adorable 
fur babies of various colors and sizes. Both young and older. Being that many of them were abused, I had to 
move slowly to an empty spot and then exit my wheelchair to sit on the floor so as to not look so threatening 
(often so many animals seem to be afraid of the wheelchair). Within a few moments, a few would cautiously approach. 
Sniffing, rubbing and just checking me out was the task of the moment. After deciding I was gentle, they would insist 
on some good old fashion long awaited affection. Since I am so much an animal lover, it just came natural. While looking 
around at all the various creatures, one in particular caught my eye. A  4 yr old butterscotch colored cat named "Mr. Bill." 
Mr. Bill was high up on a cage just looking down. After getting his attention, he eventually came down allowing me to 
approach him. Once I placed my hand in his direction, he came over to me and insisted on getting his due affection. 
Without hesitation I started "loving him up." There was just something about Mr. Bill. Well, after spending awhile with him, 
I had to get going but before doing so, I decided to speak with a shelter staff person. I enquired on his health and general 
well being and was told that he was a very gentle and quiet cat. One that usually was alone from the other ones. Considering 
possible adoption, I filled out some paperwork and let her know that I was just not ready but that if he was still there a week 
later, I would adopt him. Part of me feels like I need more time and another part feels like he has so much love to give and is 
looking for. Did I do the right thing? Can the love I once gave something so precious come out again?

Today April 7th, a new creature has found a place in my home and heart. His name is "Jet" and is a 4 year old shorthair domestic.
Thank you Helen for giving me that extra strength in knowing it is the right thing to do in opening my heart and home again!

April 21st, I decided to tend to my beloved's grave.  The time I spend alone with Booboo is something that brings me much comfort.
Usually after talking to her a bit, I tend to the recently planted iris and pull an ocassional weed. After a silent moment in thought, I 
begin singing "You Are My Sunshine" followed by the words "I Love You." 
 


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