Family Animals

I am very sad to announce that today, Feb. 15, 2018, our beloved Bitsie passed away at the age of 23. Bitsie was always a beautiful little soul who was always happy and loved everyone, and everyone loved her; such a wonderfully sweat little cat. Marion and I loved her deeply and she will be very much missed. We are grateful for the many years she has been with us since as a kitten. Bitsie, my lovely little friend, we will see you in another time, in another place. Goodnight sweatheart. The following text written in 2009: Who says animals can't smile?! Her name is Bitsy... short for Itsie-Bitsy. That got stuck on her because she appeared to be a runt kitten that we fostered for an animal shelter. I should have known that if you foster a life that attaches itself to you, then you likely become attached as well and will end up keeping them. Well Bitsy completely stole my heart from early on, and to her, I am truly her dad. She also loves to join in any snuggling and petting session going on anywhere and is crazy about our 2 dogs, especially her hero Brundel.

This photo of Bitsie was taken 10 days before her passing. Here she stares at the glowing embers in the fireplace, her favourite spot to get warmed up. Goodbye, for now, my sweet little Bitsie

Moppet is our newest family member since moving to Lindsay. We got her as a puppy and were told she's a mix of Pomeranian and Chihuahua, and in this photo she's about 16 months old. Her and I are very close and I love her dearly. She's such a beautiful dog.

Little Marla is a Papillon and arrived as a puppy about 6 months after Moppet, so in this photo she's about a year old. She's closer to my wife than me and is the small lapdog she really wanted. I personally don't think Marla is quite as bright as Moppet :)

I am very sad to announce that BrightBum passed away on Dec. 4, 2014, 10:30pm. BrightBum was mostly a loner during the majority of her life up until the last year when she began needing to lay on my lap whenever I sat down, during which time she and I grew much closer. Brightbum always appeared to have difficulty feeling happy about life, often showing an expression similar to the one in this picture. During her last year however she seemed more at peace and happy in her old age. BrightBum had been growing weaker each day during her last 2 weeks, and at 10:30pm on that last night, she slowly and peacefully slipped away while cradled in my arms. As with those before you BrighttBum, I hope to see you again, in another time, and in another place. The following bio was written for BrightBum over 5 years ago: The Cheshire Cat perhaps? hmm, maybe not. Her name is Bright Eyes. Fitting I suppose with those big green eyes; but I have always found it difficult to call her that. I call her BrightBum - maybe because she often asks for affection by pushing her rear end against us. BrightBum is Bitsy's sister but they are very different personalities from each other. She's also rather difficult to photograph, as she is very timid and will run away at the slightest gesture. It's hard to know what BrightBum's thinking right now, but I clearly have her attention. Its also difficult to ever get a happy looking face from BrightBum. She tends to worry a lot about what's going on or what you're going to do to her. She was a wild street kitten from the urban city that never got over her caution and defenses. Her sister Bitsy is also cautious and skittish but is a happier cat as she has learned to love everyone immensely, and has therefore felt it greatly returned. When we observe the social behaviours of our animal companions, we can learn much about the reciprocal dynamics of intention and actions.

My wife Marion wrote: Today (Sunday 25th May 2014) I lost my BFF. She has been my constant companion for over 10 years; supporting me through the death of my son and every other obstacle that was sent my way; and being there for me no matter what time of day (or night) it was. No questions asked. I in turn took care of her. Some people thought we were joined at the hip because she always wanted to be with me, and of course I obliged (despite my complaining I really liked it). We were so right for each other; both needing the other in our own special way. I do believe Floozy was sent to me to get me through the difficult time I had ahead; although I did not know it at the time I know it now with every fiber of my being. For such a tiny little thing she feared nothing and no one and until she went blind her energy level far surpassed any other companion I have ever had. Floozy – what an apt name – she was loved by everyone and gave it back 10 times over – went blind a number of years ago and since then could not get around at all; yet somehow she managed to fall down the basement stairs at least 3 times (from top to bottom) despite all our efforts to barricade it off; she had seizures and was also suffering from dementia. Not long ago she had to have all her teeth removed but even this did not stop her; she could no longer chew her food – but what the heck she just swallowed it whole. Such a trooper and such a loving personality no matter what sort of a day she had had, her tail just would not keep still. Just lately she was dealt something she just could not handle - chronic kidney failure. A potential kidney problem was identified at the time she had her dentistry done but she managed to keep that well hidden from us all; not so anymore. I console myself with the fact that she is no longer in pain but my heart still aches for her presence. Every night since she came to me she has slept on my pillow where I could snuggle my face into her fur………tonight is going to be a very long lonely night. I love you Floozy xxxxx

I'm sad to say that after 15 years, while laying in the gentle flora next to the edge of our beautiful pond, our beloved Spanky passed away this day Friday July 13, 2012. We got him when he was just a bouncy and loving kitten, and he had grown to almost as large as a medium sized dog. Spanky was truly the most sweet and gentle cat both my wife and I have ever known, and he just wanted to be loved and licked by everyone. As with those loved ones who passed away before you dear Spanky, I will see you again, in another time, in another place.

GG Pooper at around 8 weeks old.

GG Pooper at close to adult physical maturity

This little guy is Brundel. He thinks he's a big guy though, as he is 4th youngest of our 7 animal companions, yet thinks he has to manage all the others. He even has his own website 'brundelbites.com'; although he hasn't updated it in years. He's a wonderfully loving and loyal guardian of our family.

This is Alice. My wife quickly came up with that name - don't ask me how. Alice is the youngest uninvited member of our family. She just showed up on our doorstep in November of 2004 and appeared to be starving and freezing to death. Alice's personality, behaviour and appearance is strikingly similar to a male named Rudy that we had who mysteriously went missing less than a year before Alice's sudden arrival on our property; I sometimes wonder if she is Rudy reborn. No surprise then that she's extremely agile and a proficient hunter - a frequent and disturbing occurrence for both of us.

Well I finally have a picture of Floozy. She's the 8th little wonder of our animal family - I mean very little. Floozy is smaller than our smallest cat, and is full grown at 5 years as of '09. she's also the most difficult to get a picture of, as she is very uncomfortable with a camera pointing at her, so I had to grab this one without her knowing. She also rarely stays still other than sleeping or snuggled in someone's lap, so I hope to get a better shot of her yet. To make it even more difficult, her face has to be cleaned often to minimize the darkening of fur around her eyes, plus she frequently gets her face dirty in food dishes. So here she is in all her happy and bouncy glory. However, I don't think my wife will be too pleased when she sees that I put up a picture of Floozy with a dirty face, lol

Fresca had been with me since she was a fragile and yet playful and trusting little kitten. She's about 19 and a half at this time of her passing and has always been a deeply loving companion and would get onto my lap every chance she could get; which was whenever I sat down... like right now. She 's also been the matriarch of our animal family, both dogs and cats. As you can see in her photo, she had only one eye. She had chronic infections over much of her life in her left eye, and about 3 years ago it had to be removed, as the severity of the last infection was making her gravely ill. Since then she had been very happy and healthy until a month after our old male cat Zing passed away at the age of 20. The alignment of their years here with us is both so meaningful and heartbreaking, for we have lost 2 of our dearly loved companions within such a short period. On June 4th 2011, after 2 weeks of loving care during rapidly declining health, Fresca passed away quietly and naturally. Good bye for now my sweet Fresca, for as with Zing, I will see you again in another time, in another place.

This grand old fellow is Zing, or rather King Zing. Zing was the wise elder of our animal family. He was a very loving companion to me since as a small kitten he was somehow injured at a farm from where we adopted him. An injury that left him unable to use his back legs and yet seemed happy to drag them around behind him with enthusiasm. It's too long a story to tell here so I'll just say that although he was diagnosed as having a permanent spinal injury, after much dedicated therapy from us, he suddenly gained full use of his legs. The morning I sat up and saw him walking on all fours, I said "That's amazing!", which is how he got his name. This is the best photo I was able to get since creating this gallery; for he had spent the last 4 years almost all the time down in the dimly lit finished area of our basement. Few visitors to our home have ever caught a glimpse of him for more than a second, if at all, as he was very reclusive and would quickly hide whenever company arrived. He had become frail and unsteady over the last few years. On Friday, May 6, 2011, 3:20pm, while cradled in my arms, Zing passed away gently and naturally. He had been with me 20 years and will be dearly missed. Good Bye for now my old friend, for we will be together again in another time... in another place

Fresca

At the moment this shot was taken, Alice has just noticed a Chipmunk rustling in the bushes about 25 feet away. Her piercing stare can look right through you, and no small creature is safe on our property.