Jeddie's book (I got it today! - Thursday)

[Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA]

Here is a link to it. It will take a LONG time to load because there are 181 photos in it!

http://www.mixbook.com/photo-books/interests/jeddie-7839525

I should warn you that the last 3-4 pages are photos from his last few days and he doesn't look "good" I did share one or two of them before, but they are hard to see, I think. It's good for me to see them now because even though it happened fast, and I "knew" he got very bad looking, he was still my handsome boy in my mind and taking that final step felt so much like the ultimate betrayal of him. Now I can see that he was at a point that no cat would want to be given their fastidiousness and all - not to mention the inability to eat and the pain, of course.

Let me know what you think.

 

[Marcy & Klinger (GA)]

Re: Jeddie's book

Sheila,
This book is a beautiful tribute to Jeddie and his time with you. I loved so many pictures, especially the belly fur shots and the perfect curl. I have to say that by the end, I had tears running down my face. The cancer took him too quickly. Thank you for sharing him with us. Sending a big hug to you and your furbabies.
Marcy

 

[Dale 'n' Chip]

Re: Jeddie's book

It's a great story with a very sad ending. What I did was start over at the beginning and relive the happy times again. The second time through I noticed things I didn't the first time. That's a lot of beautiful pictures of a very happy family. Very well told.

So Charlotte was still living at the time of the cat grass party, but why didn't she join in? I love that picture, saw it in the photostream and always wondered where Charlotte was. How do you keep the cats from jumping off the balcony? I think you (or someone) posted somewhere that some cat used to climb down to visit a neighbor, but my cats would be climbing up the wall, on the roof or upper floors, and leaping after the first squirrel to fly by. I couldn't leave any two out long enough for them to nap.

And I saw Leanne tucked away in the amoire, that's priceless. I like the way all the books are about the whole family. You have a great life, but I can see how you are now missing some colors from the palette with only three.

 

[Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA]

Re: Jeddie's book

Marcy, I start crying every time I read the GA post, the last two pages of the book. It really got to me today. I was sobbing.

I can see how you are now missing some colors from the palette with only three.

That is so true, and something that I have noted to myself. I am surprised that you noticed it too - and commented on it. Color is very important to me and Charlotte and Jeddie were both "bright". Jeddie's personality really matched his coloring, or vice versa, as is legendary with the orange boys. I think that is part of why I feel the household is "subdued" now.

The cat grass photo without Charlotte was in that period when she was pretty much to herself. She did go out on the balcony still, but not at every opportunity like the others did. And she did chew on that grass a few times.

"Starting over at the beginning" has been what this book, and the memorial/memory shawl, have been about. It's almost like, maybe if I keep reliving it, the ending will change.... but it has made the memories of the last few months of his life less "intense" and helped the other memories to be more of the focus. Finding and reading the posts from the beginning helped there as well.

 

[Dale 'n' Chip]

Re: Jeddie's book

That is so true, and something that I have noted to myself. I am surprised that you noticed it too - and commented on it. Color is very important to me and Charlotte and Jeddie were both "bright". Jeddie's personality really matched his coloring, or vice versa, as is legendary with the orange boys.

That is pretty apparent from the photos, the environment and surroundings. Another thing that jumps out in the pictures is everyone's presence and personality. Some of that may be imagined, but then again if Jeddie was really at his wits end for the timer shots, he comes across as unflappable. It really seemed to capture him at his best. That is always the sign of a good photographer to be able to capture such things.

And that reminds me, when you had the fire alarm how did you round up 5 cats (or however many it was then) and get them to safety?

We had a legitimate tornado concern not long before the kittens were born... as in it was confirmed on the ground heading this way. I got everyone to the basement, except for the feral mothercat I had indoors. I couldn't catch her anyway, but she was hiding inside the base of the bed. No possible way to get her out even if I had all the time in the world. After that incident, and before the kittens were born, I had to take up the bed and put on a new bottom so she wouldn't have the kittens inside where I couldn't reach.

Any kind of undo excitement and all my cats run and hide. I fear it would be impossible to round them all up in case of fire.

 

[Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA]

Re: Jeddie's book

This was in April, so I had four cats to deal with. I posted on Health the importance of having an evacuation plan figured out and written down or memorized because I am a totally unflappable person and my mind went BLANK when my neighbor knocked on my door and said "Let's go the building next door is on fire!" Yes, of course I knew, get the cats our first and then anything else. But the how of it and what to do first, second... escaped me.

I am on the top (3rd) floor on the side of the building next to the building on fire and we were downwind, so the evac was a wise precaution. Plus, my parking space was right next to the fence separating our properties so I wanted to move it - good thing too because the firemen staged from that area of our parking lot.

Anyway, even though all my cats are curious about callers and come to the door to check them out, Ariel was running back and forth in sheer terror, and Leanne was also running from me. I was able to grab Beau and get him in a carrier and I was thinking I could get Leanne and Ariel in there too and carry it down with one hand and carry Jeddie in the other arm. He could be carried sort of like a football in the crook of my arm and just sit there looking around. I know now (after) I could not have actually carried the carrier with three cats in it and I couldn't catch the two girls anyway. My neighbor, Brad, was at my door saying come on, come on. So I walked down with Beau in the carrier and Jeddie in my arm and stuck them in my back seat and moved my car. Then I came back for the girls and realized I left the carrier in the car. Neither cat was easy to catch, but Ariel was basically doing circuits of the condo so I grabbed her on a pass and put her in the bathroom. Then I had to catch Leanne and that, ultimately, involved moving furniture. I had to put both of them in pillowcases that I tore off the bed pillows.

The whole process took about 5-7 minutes, I think. That is WAY too long for an actual fire in our building. So my plan, after that, was to get a small folding dog crate that would fit two cats and keep it upstairs with my hand cart and bungee cords so I can set it up, put two cats in it, put the other two in the carrier and stack them on the handcart and roll it out and bump it down the stairs (we have no elevator).

This whole experience is another reason for not having more than 4 cats even again. You just have to make a plan, write it down - maybe even make a checklist out of it and print it and laminate it and keep it somewhere you can grab it - and practice parts of it if you can.

 

[Grayson & Lu]

Re: Jeddie's book

Wow! A GREAT plan to have, despite the chaos that often comes in that kind of situation! My concern is for a hurricane. We usually have plenty of notice, but the number of carriers I have, the number I need, and room in my car...REALLY freaks me out! Now is when I need an SUV instead of a Honda Civic!

If I weren't able to find someone, it would be because they were under the downstairs bathtub! Fortunately, that would probably be one of the safest rooms - no window, concrete floor and masonry wall on 2 sides - at least on that level. Anyways, the importance of planning for such is hereby noted - and can't be encouraged enough!

You might have read about my cats visiting the downstairs neighbor in college. The balconies had a solid wood railing, and were offset from one another by a brick firewall that had a circular opening in it. And the 3rd floor balconies were shallower than the 1st & 2nd. Elsie used to go from mine to the one below, then through the circular opening. All was fine until graduation weekend, when she went down to visit and they were outa town - and no way up! We used a cooler w/ belts tied to the handle, lowered it down, and she hopped right in! I wish so much that we had taken a picture of that! She had her own elevator!

BTW - I'm looking forward to Jeddie's book, but have to wait til I return from the b'day party I'm on my way to. Can't show up w/ red swollen eyes! I know it will be beautiful!

 

[Dale 'n' Chip]

Re: Jeddie's book

Thanks Lu-Ann, that was it:

..In college, my two cats enjoyed going out and sitting on the edge of the balcony. On graduation weekend, my neighbors downstairs were out of town. My balcony was recessed about 2' from the depth of theirs, so it wasn't uncommon for them to go and visit. This time, there was no one there to bring them back up! :shock:

Ultimately we built a "kitty lift" from a cooler w/ one handle and every belt my roommates and I owned! Cats thought it was great! Only our furry kids could have so much fun on and off the porch railings!

The visual of a kitty in a flower box could be cute (if small and petite) - or VERY FRIGHTENING (if Grayson's former size or larger!). But I always tell people I planted snapdragons and grew a dog, as Jack always enjoyed sitting on top of one of the flower pots!

It was Jeddie who went down the hall to see the neighbor.

Still wonder how Sheila keeps anyone from going on (or over) the rail. Jeddie was getting close in one the pictures. The netting looks like it works well for keeping them from going/falling through. But mine would be climbing up the netting and digging in the rail planters. And at some point they would knock one off and go sailing (planter surfing?) 3 stories. Mine fall (or jump) off the upstairs banister and seem to see it as a shortcut down the stairs.

 

[Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA]

Re: Jeddie's book

Well.....



As you can see I can't keep them off the railing or out of the flower boxes. I never had issues before the two torties arrived though. And the netting was for them as kittens. I have just never taken it down, because I am not sure they wouldn't attempt to jump through the uprights.

Jeddie got up on the rail this spring and, darn it I didn't get the shot! It was the only time I ever saw him up there. Mostly, he stood on his back feet and nibbled on plants in the planters or pulled on them with a paw. The photo of him standing on a bin and eating catnip (last year) was never even close to him being up in the planter itself, but it is one of the reasons I put them down low this year.

The photo of Beau, as you can see by the second view, he is not in danger as the planter is across the arms of the chair and near the door, not the railing. I have seen him up on the railing this year though also - something he never did before. Torties are a bad influence!

And last year.... I was working in the back bedroom on the computer with Leanne in my lap and I hear a yowl, like a cat fight yowl, one single cry. Didn't' think anything of it. It was about 5pm. Whe I got my dinner at 7pm, everyone was hanging around for nibbles except Ariel. Not unusual, However, at 10 pm when I tested Jeddie and gave treats all around, she was not there either, so I started looking. Looked on the balcony, looked inside everywhere, went back out on the balcony and switched on the light, looked left and... the entire catnip planter was gone! I knew instantly what had happened, looked over the rail, called, couldn't see anything, ran downstairs with my flashlight. Called, got no response. My heart was pounding! I swept the area with the flashlight thinking she was either injured, dead, or ran away scared. Finally, I saw her curled up in the tightest ball you can imagine, in the corner where our fence meets the the building next door. She didn't even raise her head, she just opened one eye.

Thank God she was ok. She was covered in leaves and poop (my sister told me their bowels will let go during a fall so they don't rupture on impact). I cleaned her up, cuddled her, and gave her treats. the next day I looked at the brackets and one of them had given way causing the entire planter, with Ariel on top, to fall out. I replaced it with much better brackets.

 

[Dale 'n' Chip]

Re: Jeddie's book

I knew it! So Ariel was the first one to go planter surfing.

When you've had more than 5 cats for a few years you've seen it all.

And that may be my favorite post, that's exactly what my cats do.

As long as landing on nice grass they *should* do ok. She may have been more upset about not finding her way home. I'd worry about something happening after they are down. But I knew a cat that fell 3 stories out a window to a parking lot and did not make it.

Those three are great in action. All you need now is perhaps a bold colored Maine Coon to complete the picture if you really can have only 4. ;-)

 

[Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA]

Re: Jeddie's book

All you need now is perhaps a bold colored Maine Coon to complete the picture if you really can have only 4. ;-)

Yes, and his name was Jeddie.....

Right now, I think that a) any attempt to get another cat is an attempt to replace Jeddie, which can not happen (isn't possible, isn't fair to the "new" kitty) and b) I really can't afford another cat right now.

If I got another cat it would be in hopes that s/he would become buddies with Beau. Beau needs a cuddle buddy and I feel really bad that he has lost all three of his closest friends in his life. He deserves to be able to wrap his paw around someone and I just don't think either of the two girls fit that bill. Ariel has filled this spot before, but she can be "pokey" and start to bite when he tried to groom her. Poor guy. I do feel bad for him. Right now he is sleeping in the middle of the bed all by himself. If Jeddie were here, they would be together. Now is just not the right time good time.

On another subject, I found 20 more photos of Charlotte that I had to add to her book. I knew I had more, back from my 35mm days. They are all in boxes in a cabinet that is hard to get to and would take hours to go through, so I didn't do it. Turns out I did it back when she died and had a pile on my desk waited for scanning. They were hidden under last year's receipts and check stubs that I should file.

 

[Grayson & Lu]

Re: Jeddie's book

...and had a pile on my desk waited for scanning. They were hidden under last year's receipts and check stubs that I should file.

Hmmm.... sounds like our desks look the same! :lol: don't forget on top of the piano, and on top of the dog crate! :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Pam & Alley]

Re: Jeddie's book

Wow, this is great Sheila. What a wonderful tribute to Jeddie. My favorite is the Jeddie and Beau watching out the window side by side. So precious!

 

[Grayson & Lu]

Re: Jeddie's book

Sheila - You have the absolute best way of commemorating your beloved babies' lives. Jeddie's book is precious! Such wonderful photos of loving, happy times, and the love so evident in all you wrote, and in every picture of him. Jeddie was truly the blessed one, and you certainly were his biggest angel. No one loved him like you.

And now he's YOUR angel. Watching out over you and smiling down on everything you do. I know he sees the love you've put into everything Jeddie - from quilt to book to your actions. You can rest well, knowing that he's keeping you in his loving paws for eternity. And every time you look at the planter of catnip, the light chain, and all his special spots, you can smile, knowing that you gave him the best life and love possible!

God Bless!
Lu-Ann

 

[Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA]

Re: Jeddie's book

Pam, I think that has to be either Leanne or Ariel you saw looking out the window with him. The one where they are sitting side by side with tails hanging down is Ariel. The one in the window where he is standing and you see him from the side is Leanne - right before she whacked him in the face.

...you can smile, knowing that you gave him the best life and love possible!

I know I did, and he gave the best love possible for him in return, but I still feel like all that should have been rewarded with more time. I still miss him so much.

 

[Grayson & Lu]

Re: Jeddie's book

Think about it..people live +/- 75-85 years. Pets, on the other hand, are lucky to get 15, assuming good health. Based on those numbers, I think it demonstrates the fact that we are destined to share our lives with many over a lifetime. As humans, we celebrate births, but grieve death. They are both part of the circle of life. I think we should celebrate the lives of all those we love, regardless of the timing. Continued wishes of peace coming your way.

 

[Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA]

Re: Jeddie's book

I ordered the printed book yesterday. I must have checked and rechecked all three book a dozen times each - and there were those 20 photos of Charlotte I found that I added on Sunday. So, please don't tell me if you find a spelling error now! They were supposed to arrive next Tuesday - with 3-5 days for production and then 2 day shipping, but I just got an email saying they already shipped! Maybe I will get them by Friday. Fingers crossed.

One thing that is interesting is that when I signed up on Mixbook, I got a "20% of first order" coupon, good for a month, but I didn't finish in time for it. I kept getting email coupon offers that were similar. Then I got one for "up to 30% off" and tried to use it, but for the album size I choose it was only 20%. I contacted them to ask if they ever did 30% off that size and was told "we can't disclose future sales"... what crap, so I said, well I will cancel my order then. But I Googled "Mixbook coupons" and found one for 30% and it worked for my entire order! Yay! That's like when I bought my laptop and found a 30% off coupon for it and could combine it with their free upgrade offers. I think I saved over $600 on that purchase. So I always try to check for online coupons.

 

[Dale 'n' Chip]

Re: Jeddie's book

I ordered the printed book yesterday. I must have checked and rechecked all three book a dozen times each - and there were those 20 photos of Charlotte I found that I added on Sunday. So, please don't tell me if you find a spelling error now! They were supposed to arrive next Tuesday - with 3-5 days for production and then 2 day shipping, but I just got an email saying they already shipped! Maybe I will get them by Friday. Fingers crossed.

Published Mixbooks: 2

Am I missing something here? All three? (singularly)

I only see two. :smile:

 

[Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA]

Re: Jeddie's book

They came today! I was so excited to see them I ran downstairs as soon as UPS got here.

They are really nice - I mean, the production and binding of the books are really good. Picture a children's book, so large size, thin (spine), glossy printed cover with no dust jacket. Everything inside looks exact as it did to me while I was creating the pages. I did a book using snapfish and was not happy with the final results. The printing was "muddy" - plus I was very frustrated with their design options. Anyway, these look great!

I looked through all three: Murphy, Charlotte, and finally Jeddie - of course his made me cry. Again.

Dale, here is the link to Murphy's: http://www.mixbook.com/photo-books/pets/murphy-7742444

I had not shared that before. Originally, I was only going to share Jeddie's, but I used Charlotte's as a test to make sure the books could be viewed by others.

 

[Dale 'n' Chip]

Murphy sure was special. All these "chapters" in your book of cats tell a special story.

Or should I say volumes in your encyclopedia of life?

Watching Murphy Brown while watching Murphy Brown. And Beau too in each one.

BTW I liked the Carole King lyrics for Jeddie, gives it bittersweet yet "big picture" closure.

And more adorable early pictures of Charlotte as well.

Thanks for sharing all of them with all of us, great tributes all. o

 

[Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA]

Thanks, Dale. The Carole King lyric quote is because that song played from my mp3 player on the drive up to bury him and it stuck in my head as being so apropos. He could have been any cat. When I got him he was a totally unknown "stranger", but I discovered he was the most special being. I'm so glad it was him.....

The early photos of Charlotte were a great find and just in time to make it into her book. She was such a cute little kitten. I mean, they all are, right? But she was just so pretty and unique looking. That photo of Murphy on top of the TV with Murphy Brown airing might have been the thing that decided her name. She was a stray, approx a year old, I did not know if she was spayed, so she could have been pregnant - and the season of Murphy Brown's unwed motherhood had ended the previous May and it was "big" news still because of Dan Quayle's attack of it. So, she became Murphy Brown II. Turns out she had been spayed though, so no kittens. I think she might have belonged to the guy who yelled at her and threw something at her (next door). She used to meow at night pretty insistently and I think she got put outside because of it. Oh, well, there loss - my gain (mine, Charlotte's and Beau's).

 

[Grayson & Lu]

Another beautiful book Sheila. It's worth repeating - that is the most wonderful way I've seen to memorialize the furry kids that bring us so much joy! Thank you for sharing all three with us, because clearly, our sugarcats are just one part of who we all are!

As a side note, I also had a Murphy. Murphy Brown Doggie, that is! After checking the local and surrounding shelters, Sheldon & I had gone to Raleigh, responding to an ad on my quest for a puppy. Black dogs in NC are usually labs - much too big for our apartment. We stopped by the Raleigh shelter on the way home, and here was a whole pen filled with little brown puppies! The last one to come out of the house immediately went to him and stood up on his knee as if to say "PICK ME!! Take ME home!!!" It was a slam-dunk! I had pre-pondered the names of Murphy & Wally, and decided on Murphy, because of Murphy Brown! She grew into what appeared mostly to be a vizsla, and was a wonderful, playful, loving, cuddler from day one! I currently have have a brown tabby named Wally that was in the "first five" I rescued from a boarded up house a few years later - although his official name is Wally Wally Washington! :lol:

 

[Peggy and Mickey (GA)]

Hi Sheila!
Love Jeddies book! What a great tribute to him, from a mom that loved him sooo much.

 

[pamela and tigger]

Wow Sheila, I am so impressed. Two beautiful books for two very beautiful kitties, but in the end such sad stories. I didn't know anything really about Murphy's story or that she was even a girl! Her whole book is so well done and shows how very much she meant to you. And the pictures of Charlotte too. The poem at the end was so very touching.

And Jeddie.......sweet Jeddie. It was hard reliving his last months, but I am so glad you were able to put this all together for him as a final tribute. A lot of the pictures I recognized. Yes, the ones at the end were hard and sad to see. He was such a good, sweet boy.

Thank you for sharing.