In memory of Tulip

Our dearest Tulip

I’ll never forget the day we met you…

We went to Kitty & Puppy Haven to meet Meeko, her picture drew our attention because of her raccoon-like features. When we chatted to the volunteer and she suggested we get two kittens, we didn’t hesitate to say ‘yes’, but first we wanted to meet the raccoon-like kitten, we would choose a second kitten in a bit. We didn’t realise our second kitten would choose us. 

We entered the enclosure and Meeko ran away, something she still does today when strangers enter her home. We sat down patiently waiting for her to come out, instead you came. You trotted to us, tail in the air, and climbed onto Craig’s lap, you purred and climbed, clearly saying ‘take me home’ and we knew we would.  

A week later, I fetched you and Meeko. 

To my surprise, once we got home, it was Meeko exploring her new surroundings and you who hid under the bed. I left you, knowing you would come out when you were ready and you did, when your human-dad came home. He sat down and you crawled all over him – you had that ginger-bond with each other.

We did everything, Tulip, everything to keep you safe, to protect you and your sister from harm. We thought of all external factors that could hurt you, take you from us, but we didn’t know it would be an internal factor that would rob you from us.

The vet said it was pancreatitis, an asymptomatic disease, which caused internal bleeding. We lost the war – a war we didn’t even have time to prepare for. A war that came down on us in a matter of minutes and was over in a few hours.

The house is empty without you, Lulu-Bear. Our hearts are broken.

We miss your purrs, the cheeky meows, your morning cuddles and evening kisses, the way you showed off your tail – the longest tail in the world (I know, I measured), playing fetch with you, watching you play with Meeko and try to sneakily sit on her (to pin her down), your squirrel run, your little smile, your mischievousness, you batting your treats across the floor, your tail (everybody’s favourite toy), your lucky paw and dirty little nose, and your 3am wake up calls. Yes, Tulip, I would give anything to have you wake us up, every single morning, at 3am if it meant that I could have a few more years with you. But we won’t. Our time with you was too short.

Thank you Tulip for the time you spent with us, for the memories, the laughter and paw-kisses. You will forever be in our hearts. We love you – always – forever and a day. 

Loving all things cupcake

Nephew-child is turning one tomorrow – yip, a whole one years’ old. It’s a bit cliché-ish, but I actually cannot believe how time has flown. In the last year the little Moo has sprouted about 10 teeth (I may be exaggerating by a tooth or two) and become quite mobile on his legs, none of that wobbly stuff – he is sturdy – a little Sharkie in the making.

This weekend we had a bit of a celebration and for the first time Moo got to smash a cupcake in his face (and everywhere else).  Now as a lover of all things cupcake, I wish I could remember that first taste, hence why I couldn't resist sharing the messy cupcake moment:

Pictures: Shamelessly taken from the dad’s Facebook album.

Happy birthday to the best little nephew-child, we look forward to spending many more with you and enjoy more of 'em cupcakes.  

In some other weekend news…

On the kitty-related news, our little Meeko caught a bird. Now being a cat that might not seem newsworthy, but I know there are about two people who’d love the story.

As I opened the door yesterday morning, Meeko went sprinting past me into the backyard. She first squirrelled up the tree (with birds scattering in all direction), came back down and then did this bollemakiesie, which sent the dust flying everywhere. Now while all this was happening Tulip and I stood watching – and I was lecturing her on patience and how she will never catch a bird if she doesn’t take a bit of time doing the stalking business.

Much to my surprise, after the dust had settled, Meeko came running towards me with a bird in her mouth. Turns out her speed, accuracy and lack of patience resulted in success.

Tulip, fetch!

This is something that I simply had to share – Tulip playing fetch. Admittedly it would not have been worth a share if Tulip was our dog, but she is not, she’s our cat. Yup, our cat plays fetch.

One would think that this is not normal cat behaviour, but I have come to the conclusion that it is perfectly normal for Tulip to play fetch, because of two reasons;

1. This is a special game she plays with bf, she never brings the ball back when I throw it. In essence she has CHOSEN who she’d like to play this special game with.

2. Tulip just had to prove that anything a dog can do – a cat can do better, and look cuter.