Jane & Jack & Karre the Emperor
Member Since 2009
As some of you have said in the Emperor's fabulous OTJ Party Condo - it's been quite a journey! Our second one, as most of you know. Perhaps a little trip down memory lane is in order? And since we are, after all, but lowly minions to a mighty Emperor, it would seem only fitting that we begin that little trip with words almost - but, of course, not *quite* - as famous as His Majesty Himself:
Once upon a time...
...two hapless cat lovers sat in dismay at their Emperor's throne. His once glowing jetblack coat was dull, and his eyes, once as sparkly as the stars the Emperor loved to gaze at whenever he sat solving the most unsolveable questions with a flick of his glorious tail, had grown weary. They watched in despair as he turned away from all his favourite foods, and begged him to no avail to accept more than just the water he asked for time and time again. Helpless, they escorted His Majesty to his personal physician, who poked and prodded our poor darling Emperor, only to return with a terrifying verdict: Karre, the Emperor of Basically Everything, was in mortal peril. Feline diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis had been silently ravaging him, and threatened, even now, to bring an end to his imperial rule...
At first, his two main servants felt sheer paralyzed by fear. And yet, as they journeyed home, they decided that it simply could not be the fate of such a spectacular ruler simply to waste away and disappear. So they ventured boldy forth to pick apart the threads of the world wide web, searching for any remedies they might discover woven into it.... Fate took pity upon their woeful cries and smiled upon them, directing the pair to a magical realm of knowledge, kindness and care, called FDMB. As they stumbled onwards, guided by many, they found a special place within this realm. This fateful place was
Here, coaxed, encouraged and instructed tirelessly by countless wonderful souls, they learned the enchanted rites of Lantus Land. They learned to speak an entirely new language filled with mystical words like "nadir", "hooting", "dosecrease", and countless more. Every day, the Lantus Landers were there to visit with and support them, offering them the delicacies and secret recipes of Lantus, which sustained them endlessly. If, in their hunger for more knowledge, they lost their way and chose the wrong path sometimes, they were given wet noodles to eat, to remind them that just as one should enjoy a bowl of pasta slowly and with attention to every bite, they had to take in and swallow and digest all that Lantus Land had to offer them, and be patient to see in what ways it would fill them up. For fill them up it did!
They stumbled often, but there was always a kind helper to bring them back up onto their feet. When they despaired and gave in to discouragement, the cat lovers of Lantus Land - for they were cat lovers, one and all - would sit with them until late at night, willingly giving up their hours of rest to tell the newcomers stories of wondrous healing and amazing victories, regaling them and giving them new courage and hope.
And every day, their Emperor recovered more of his strength. Ketoacidosis has laid waste his appetite, but he graciously allowed his minions to feed him softened food with a syringe, never complaining or chastising them, knowing how they loved him and feared for him, and allowing them to help him regain his health and happiness. He never flinched at the many injections they had to give him, and noticed in his infinite wisdom that the magical elixir, called Lantus, which they were administering, declined and declined in its dose. Soon, he began taking his food on his own again, and one day, he ventured back out into his garden and stretched out on the sun-drenched lawn, rejoicing in his returning strength. He was ready.
One night, two of Lantus Land's most trusted, highest advisors asked Karre's servants whether he had ever pulled away from his injections. And he had. And they knew that it was good.
They joyfully announced that His Majesty was ready to return to his former glory, and began his first OTJ trial. Every day, his carers held their breath as they tested him to see if his return to the throne really would go forward. For fourteen days and nights, they waited, and prayed, and hoped. And all of Lantus Land hoped with them. And finally, on the Day of Thanksgiving in the year 2008, everyone came together and celebrated as Karre, the Emperor of Basically Everything ascended the gilded steps to his regal seat of honour. It was as happy a day as ever his lowly minions had known, and they were forever grateful for the lucky twist of fate that had brought them into the magical world of Lantus Land.
Jack and I want to thank all of you so very much for everything that you've once again done for us and our darling Karre. Sixteen years ago, Jack found Karre and his two littermates when they were just ten days old - they share his birthday, and, I think, parts of his heart and soul as well. They saved his life that day, because they came into his life when he had never needed true friends more. He raised Karre and his brother Lucci - their third sibling, sadly, went missing at a few months of age - feeding them day and night, and drawing as much comfort from their love as they did from his. Years later, I met Karre for the first time, when Jack and I fell in love. He made his distaste for me, this interloper, this apparent, shameless rival for Jack's affection, abundantly clear: the first night that I spent in Jack's house, Karre jumped up onto my pillow as soon as we had gone to bed and stood directly over my face, his front legs by the one ear, his back legs by the other, and his tummy pressed onto my nose. I was, at that time, very allergic to cats... Still, with time, and much daily abject grovelling, he learned to accept me as a new servant who would obey his every command. He, and his brother Lucci (who died on the 4th of July 2009, on his own Independence Day), were the first cats I ever lived with, and the first cats I ever loved. The first journey to the Falls with Karre was harrowing in many ways, but it was also one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I have made friends here that I will have always. I am grateful for FDMB, LL, and its marvellous people, every single day.
In answer to your wonderful, kind words of celebrations and congratulations in Karre the Emperor's OTJ Party Condo, I (and Jack too of course, and Karre, and his siblings Maggie, Luca, and Henry) want to thank you all in person.
Thank you, Carolyn, for the beautiful OTJ tribute video. We will treasure it and, I'm sure, watch it many times over, and thanks to all those who helped you make it.
Thank you, Wendy. I hope Neko will continue progressing, too - there's rather a lot of royalness there also, Karre says.
Thank you, Carl. I have learned a lot from the caring way with which you give your support, and I hope we can continue working together and offering guidance where it is needed.
Thank you, Dale. Yes, we were crushed - but all of you lifted us up again.
Thank you, Melanie - we hope the Sugar Gods hear you.
Thank you, Ann. I have enjoyed reading your condos and hope Maggie, as a fellow returning kitty, will follow Karre back to the Falls when she is ready.
Thank you, Denise. You have ventured into this realms bravely yourself, and you and your feline Bard can always call on us for support, as can YOU ALL.
Thank you, Helen. It was always so good to see the Rosy-Condos.
Thank you, Carla, for all your kind words.
Thank you, Dyana, for being there in the mornings, and for allowing me to learn from and work with you here, as I hope to be able to keep doing.
Thank you, Georgia. May Simon find his way to Karre's Falls-Mansion too.
Thank you Michelle, and thank you, Mannie, for your wonderful condos, and your fantastic (and even local African) party food that made this OTJ shindig extra-extra-special!!
Thank you, KT, for coming in especially to visit Karre and us on this momentous occasion. You are a treasure. Buckwheat would be so, so very proud.
Thank you, Sienne, for always being there to bounce ideas back and forth with, and for always offering your immense knowledge to us and all others.
Thank you, Ella. You were always alert to questions - again here, today - and were always kind enough to suggest answers.
Thank you, Angela, for your continuous support and encouragement.
Thank you, Melissa, for your many condo visits, and for cheering in here today for our Emperor.
Thank you, Leslie. You are embarking on this journey with great fortitude, and I am sure Jasper will keep progressing under your wonderful care.
Thank you, Linda. You are and have been my blue flower in the darkness. The friendship with you is among the greatest gifts LL has given me.
Thank you, Barb, for always having a gentle and supportive post when I needed one.
Thank you, Anne and Liz, for your many entertaining posts and your steadfast encouragement.
Thank you, Pat, for the many times you took the trouble to put in extra efforts for us, to help us understand and be aware of where we were in our journey with Karre.
Thank you Chris, for sharing your own amazing (and amazingly short) journey with us, and for cheering us on even as Tucker himself was packing his boxes and bags.
Thank you, Devon, for your kindness and your many visits to our condos.
Thank you, Rhiannon. You've embraced this sugar dance very bravely and despite many trying circumstances, and that, I am certain, will bring Shadow safely to where she wants to go.
Thank you, Ann, for your caring posts and for being here to celebrate with us, and Tess, thank you for the amazing koeksisters!
Thank you, Tracy, for coming, even though your darling Leo has had such a hard time. The Emperor continues to send healing vines, and hopes you both will be free from cares some day soon.
Thank you, Shai, for your many visits and your trust. I've loved being able to give you a little support, and I know Fitzel feels loved and safe with you every day.
Thank you, Claudia (Rocket's Mom), for remembering us, and for coming to celebrate with us - I love seeing Rocket's name on that list, so close to Karre's.
Thank you, Sherry. I remember you and Zoe too, and I hope Zoe will accept Karre's invitation to come and dine with him in the Royal Palace at the Falls, with or without OTJ-Pass.
Thank you, Roni, for always being here with love and support and hugs - on many many days, you were exactly what I needed.
Thank you, Julie. Your party is not far off now, and we can't wait to offer you our own humble and Karre's royal congratulations.
Thank you, Pip. Your Rupie reports and kind posts to me so often made me smile - and thank you, Rupert, for the dive in Karre's honour - he now demands that you surf for him!
Thank you, Kim. Although you've only come to the sugardance to recently, you've been very brave with everything.
Thank you, Lu-Ann. Even with Grayson going through so much, you take the time to be supportive in so many condos. We wish Grayson continued progress post-SRT.
Thank you, Kathy. It was a pleasure to help you make the move from Health to LL, and you made it with courage and grace and have since learned so very much, it's truly impressive.
Thank you, Amy, for so often stopping in with a friendly word and cheering our Emperor on so he could get here a second time.
Thank you, Deborah. Your many visits to our condo were always a delight, and your awareness of Karre's omnipotence - including making it thunder - is well-received by His Majesty.
Thank you, Libby. You have reached out to us ever since we returned to LL, and it has made an enormous difference.
Thank you, Camille. Your thoughtful posts in our condos often reminded me to stay patient and calm when I would normally have stressed over an FD-issue.
Thank you, Michelle. You are a jewel. I know Doodle sees you sparkling brightly from his secret spots, where he sits, purring, watching over you.
Thank you, Kathy. I remember you and your miracle cat Kitty. I've read your profile often - what a blessing to live close to JILL. Congrats on almost 2.5 years OTJ.
Thank you, Tamara. You often came into Karre's condo just to post a friendly greeting or reassuring message, and it helped me remember to stay focused on the great progress Karre made.
Thank you, Jill. Your journey with Charlie so far has not been easy, and yet you were so often ready to comfort me and others with your kind words.
Thank you, Lisa. Whenever you visited Karre's condo, your posts were wonderfully caring and thoughtful, and always much appreciated.
Thank you, MARJE and Thank you, JILL. We would never, *ever* have made it back here without you. Whatever I can do to pay it forward, I will.
The last time Karre moved to the Falls, life happened. Wonderful things happened - Jack and I got married. Terrible things happened... But this is Karre's LL-Tribute Condo, and far be it from me to darken it with stories of sorrow when there is so much to be grateful for and to celebrate with all of you. Thank you, so very much, for everything. I will be back tomorrow. I won't disappear this time.
Love,
Jane.
We love a happy ending and forever after.
