Hello friends and Happy New Year! I apologize for my silence in the last 2 weeks; it’s taken me awhile to bring myself to write this (or any) post. At the start of the year, we lost our precious fur baby Tootie. For any of you that have lost a pet before, you know how devastating this loss is.
Just a week before, Tootness (one of her many names) was playing with her Christmas presents and delighting us with her silliness (her Insta hashtag is #tootieshenanigans). A week later she was gone, seemingly from a heart defect at 11 years old.
Her presence was so big that walking through any corner of the house feels so empty without her there. The silence from her absence (and lack of purring) is deafening. She loved life and had the most personality of any cat I’ve ever met.
I could never share all of the wonderful memories we have with her in just one post (or just one blog for that matter), so here is just a small sampling of highlights in her honor:
She was (she thought) my Assistant while I worked…
She loved to play with her Daddy in the “Toot Chute”, her favorite toy from her Gammy…
She was obsessed with paper of any variety, especially wrapping…
She was a master snuggler…
She often tried to insert herself into my blog pictures…
She loved to hang out under the Christmas tree, which is so fitting since she was such a gift.
If you’re wondering where the gratitude part comes in, I’ve been struggling to find that myself, but I think these words from Winnie the Pooh say it best. This should technically be GratiTuesday Week 51, but this week we’ll call it GratiTootie…
Her love was huge and it was unconditional. We will love and miss our Toot Muffin (yet another of her names) forever.
Thank you for reading my tribute to our precious girl! xoxo
Bobbi says
What a wonderful tribute – I loved all the pictures you shared. Sending love your way!
Lydia says
Thank you so much Bobbi!
Elaine @ OMG Lifestyle Blog says
A beautiful tribute to Tootie and I love your quote at the end. xo
Ryan says
Our precious Tootie is just that and so much more. Her physical presence will be painfully missed everyday but we will surely keep her in our hearts and lives everyday forever. She has touched our lives in so many ways and was/is such a big part of our daily joy and happiness. We truly love our little precious Muffin Toot.
Kay Bowles says
I understand your loss and your tribute brought back my hurt at losing our Izzy last year. Our precious kitty was with us for 21 years and we still feel her loss. But aren’t pets such an extraordinary blessing for us? They, like our children, give us unconditional love and expect nothing back but the same…..with no strings attached. You gave to Tootie the same as she gave to you……and that should give you great comfort. God Bless! Kay
Lydia says
Thank you so much Kay! It’s so hard with our fur babies… no matter how long they live it is never long enough. You are so right, they are truly a remarkable blessing. The love we shared and kind words like yours truly have brought me great comfort. Thank you again and God Bless you!
Debbie says
Well said Lydia. I’m so sorry. I dread the day we have to say good bye to Jay. Much love and prayers your way
Lydia says
Thanks so much Debbie. We appreciate it! xo
Gammy says
Thank you for such a fitting and loving tribute to Tootness. No words could ever capture her big spirit but your words are inspiring! She will be forever missed. Love, Gammy
Lydia says
Thanks Mom (aka Tootie’s Gammy)! Love you and thank you for everything!
KaSonndra Leigh says
Oh Lydia my heart is breaking for you as you and I shared a special bond because our kitty babies were twins. Reading this story brought tears to my eyes, especially when my Hercules walked over to investigate my mood. Please know that you’re in my prayers and Tootie might be gone but her spirit will forever reside in your heart.
Hugs
KaSonndra
Lydia says
Thank you so much KaSonndra! Yes we did and we still will. Ryan and I are both so touched by your kind words. Thank you again! xo