God Speed...

If you're a pet person, you'll understand. If you're not a pet person, pretend like you understand!

In 1994, 13 years ago, I got a cute little kitten that was a puff ball of fur. I picked him because he was standing in the cage with these ENORMOUS green eyes, just staring at me [blink blink] "hi!" Honestly, it really was love at first sight.

He got the name Roo because he loved to chase a laser light and could jump to the top of a doorway, so he become Roo after the character in Winne The Pooh.

Roo fetched, and he taught *US* that he could do it. One Christmas we were eating mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and tossing the wrappers to the kitchen by the trash. Suddenly, all the ones we'd throw were back. Roo was running after them and bringing them back. What a good boy!

Roo had a special connection with my friend OJai, he loved her. I think it started when I was showing OJai just how smart Roo was and I tossed a foil ball over the couch where she was sitting. Roo, of course went for the ball, but apparently thought he could go through OJai to get it and smacked right into her knee. We laughed and laughed over that, heck we still do, but Roo sort of sat there, shook the cobwebs out and then looked at us and said "MowOWOW which of course meant, "go on then, throw it again."

Roo lived with me his whole life except for a short 2 year stay with my mom when my life was a little bit in limbo. Roo lived in northern California, Utah, and several places in southern California.

Roo talked to me...people, I'm not making this up. He was like a 2 year old, he'd talk back when I told him to do something he didn't like. If he wanted something he would look me in the eyes and say "MroooooWOOOWWOWWWOWWW." I generally got the meaning.

Roo made it very clear that he was king of the kingdom. He would sit on his "ups" (yes, that's what he called it, SERiously) and watch all the happenings. He would boss Beebo around and tell him what to do; fortunately, Beebo is pretty easy-going and humored him. In addition to his "ups" he had a big pillow that he laid on. Here is Beebo worshiping the ups, the thrown pillow and the remains of Roo. I'm sure Roo is very pleased with this turn of events!


Roo did not approve of my fostering kittens for the Burbank Animal Shelter, he couldn't understand why I would want more than just HIM in the house. When he started getting sick I called someone to talk to him to see if there was anything I could do for him that I wasn't. His comment? "She should take up a new hobby...like knitting!"

Roo's health has been ailing over the past 3 years and last week it got to the point where he was suffering. As hard as it was, I always said I wouldn't let him suffer.

I miss him!

This is a conversation that might take place in this picture.

Cimblog: Roo, I'm sorry you're not coming with me.
Roo: "Oh, me? What do you MEAN I'm not going?"
Roo: "Of COURSE I'm going. Now carry me, slave."