Wow. Thank you all for the beautiful, heartfelt words you left in your comments and sent in your emails. We were all touched by your thoughtfulness, love and warmth.
I wanted to share with you a few more pictures of Jerry Lee, then tomorrow we'll move on to happier things. I've got some updates on and pictures of IBKC graduates LeRoy, Auggie, Clementine and Porter. Hopefully that will lift all of our spirits a little bit.
Thank you all,, we appreciate every single one of you lovely,lovely people out there following, and cheering for, our itty bitty kitties.
~I can't stop thinking about Jerry Lee and how wonderful you made his last day. I cried so hard. Guess I needed to. Thanks for sharing more photos. I know this little kitty had a purpose. ~Amanda
ReplyDeleteI love this chronological set of pictures of sweet Jerry Lee-- from being just a teeny little thing to being a big, handsome kitten. Thanks again for sharing these photos and so sorry for the loss.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss. Lil Jerry Lee will be missed.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the pictures. He was a sweet kitty, and he will be missed.
ReplyDeletewhiskers
Dear Jerry Lee, thank you for being alive, even if your life was so short. Your pictures filled so many hearts with love and joy. Your soul was precious to us.
ReplyDeleteToday I donated some money to my local shelter in your name, Jerry Lee, so more kitties can have the chance to love and be loved by wonderful families. You'll be missed but never forgotten.
Thanks for those pictures. All my love goes to you, Laurie, and all the IBKC family, all the readers included. My cat sends special purrs to the kitties you have at home and wishes loving families for them.
I'm with anonymous. Strangely, I think I'm crying over my mother as well, who (like Jerry Lee) had a good death recently.
ReplyDeleteYou might be getting a bit more traffic; I posted about your log on Metafilter, because I wanted to let more people know what a special job you and the other IBKC foster mothers have. (Oh, yeah, and Charlene too.)
Thank you for this series of pictures, Laurie. I hope sharing your memories helps you get through this sad time.
ReplyDeleteGoodness gracious, Jerry Lee, you were a dashing and daring kitten. I'll never forget you!
Have fun playing with all the kitties we each have loved and lost. (((Hugs to you and your IBKC family -humans and kitties!))
what wonderful photos. you are such loving people to do such a difficult but unselfish thing for Jerry Lee. I'm sure he took all the loving and petting you gave him over the Bridge with him. Puuuuurrrrrrrrss of comfort to you.
ReplyDeleteI cried so hard last night when I read about Jerry Lee, thinking about my sweet Annie girl who I lost on my birthday this year. She was a fifteen year old big, brown mutt who lived a long, happy life. She always loved kitties and was very gentle with them... I'd like to think she is with Bernadette, Jerry Lee and all the other special ones that IBKC readers have lost...
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet boy, and what wonderful people he had to take care of him. He was blessed, as all your kitties are.
ReplyDelete(here from Metafilter)
ReplyDeleteNow this is why I dont visit these types of sites, My heart is too big. (I own 2 strays, one lived to 16, the other is still here, still strong and runnin' my world)
Bless you for your love and strength. Thank you for the job that you do.
Y'all at the IBKC have been in my thoughts all day. Love the pictures of the little fella; especially the ones that show the conversion to "round lion face" to "angular kitty face".
ReplyDeleteThank you - for sharing and for letting us love him. Yesterday I was so sad I couldn't even come up with words to write. I know we all had a big big cry as we looked at pictures of the precious boy.
ReplyDeleteLori
(and Marc and Alice and Dude)
We're all still grieving the loss of this little guy ~ he touched so many lives!
ReplyDeleteThanks to Kim for that great big bear hug today! I think we both needed it!
On a happier note ~ YAY for big kitty Grace who found her new forever home! She's 20 pounds of Himalayan love ~ looks kinda like Charlene Butterbean but not nearly as gorgeous!!
Shana, you ROCK! Yea for Grace! But I'm jealous because you got a Kim hug, and more importantly, you hugged Kim which is what all of us in IBKville wish we could get and give to all of you on the COMMITTEE. I'm sending a check to Angel Dogs here in Richmond in honor of Jerry Lee and the IBKC. That's where my beloved Froder came from, and he did love him a kitty!
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful pictures to treasure. Thank you Laurie for letting us be apart of his life. What a beautiful little guy. His last picture on yesterday's post, with him sitting in front of the green garden hose looks like he's looking up to heaven! :) Wonderful. What a wonderful day and life he had with you. Thank you for sharing it along the way by capturing his life and his itty bitty pictures of him growing. We'll all never forget him. Thank you and hugs to everyone back, Laurie, Shana, Kim, Sue, Charlene, Craig, and all of the rest of the IBKC group. You all are a treasure!
ReplyDeleteAll those comments? Yeah, what they said. Dear people, I thank you for the blessings you shower on the kitties and through them - and through the exceptional pictures, on all of us. I would think you wouldn't even need to heat your house, for all the warm and loving attention flowing to you. 'Bye, little treasure Jerry Lee. You're loved.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been here in a couple days. Poor little thing :( He was so cute. I wanted to just pick him up and cuddle him. I'm glad he got lots of love in his short life. Now I need to go give my kitties some love.
ReplyDeleteanne b, thanks for posting the wonderful suggestion to honor Jerry Lee and his foster family!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Lisa
Thank you for sharing the wonderful pictures - it's great that we can have photos to remember him! He's been on my mind alot the last few days - and is definitely missed. RIP little Jerry Lee.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear updates on some of the other IBK's!
I cried so darn much yesterday, and I'm getting sniffly again now. Admittedly I'm crying over both Jerry Lee and Jillian, a wonderful brown tabby shelter kitty I knew and loved who passed quite suddenly this April. Many, many hugs for all the IBKC fosterfolks and kitties alike. Bosco the cat-friendly yellow lab sends love and wags and nuzzles as well.
ReplyDeleteAnother lovely series of photos of a kitten who packed so much spirit and love into a frail body and a short life, thanks to Laurie, Sue, Kim, Craig, and of course his loving cat mama and siblings and Charlene Butterbean.
ReplyDeleteIn the first, he's sitting on his haunches looking up with huge, round eyes. His ears are almost perfectly aligned with the "M" marking on his forehead. His fur looks so very soft and fluffy, a bit like a cross between silk threads and a dandelion clock.
In the next, he's very early in his kitten career. A hand is holding him and his head is peeking out. His eyes are mostly closed and his ears look like bear ears rather than kitten ears. (His spokesperson said "No comment" when asked if those ears were indeed his and not in fact obtained from some unsuspecting bear.) There's just a hint of pink around his mouth and nose and he's nestled trustingly in the hand that's holding him.
In the next, he's in a basket with a sibling and still very young. His eyes are open but a little bit sleepy and he's leaning against a very soft, warm-looking blue blanket.
In the next, the little guy is On The Move! He's got his polydactyl paws in front of him, but is looking up with an air of uncertainty as if hoping for another hint or two on this whole walking thing. He looks like he's just gotten out of the phase where he's not quite sure whether legs are a help or a hinderance in moving about. His ears are still rounded but starting to move up his head.
In the next, he's grown up a bit more. He's still a kitten but not a baby kitten. He switched his bear ears for kitten ears but his eyes are still a lovely dark blue. He's crouched down a bit and is craning his neck to look at something that he's not quite certain of. His kitten pout is still very much in evidence.
In the next, he's fully alert and his mouth is just a smidgen open. It doesn't take any imagination at all to hear him squeaking a tiny kitten mew. Instead of a pout, though, he looks like he's smiling a bit, as though already aware of the fact that in such a loving household, he has merely to mew and cuddles are immediately forthcoming.
The next photo is sharply focused on his face and a bit blurry (I'm sure there's a technical term for that effect) on the rest of his body. It makes his fur look even softer than usual. His eyes are perfectly round and that wonderful greenish-blue. He's watching something intently but peacefully (for a kitten, that is). Right now, he's just looking but he reserves the right to pounce, if the situation calls for it.
In the next, he's looking up at the photographer with those same irresistable round eyes. His ears are almost proportionate to his head.
The next photo is a laugh out loud one! He's lying down on his stomach with one paw wrapped under him and the other extended. His eyes are half closed but nonetheless alert. Lovell and Twlya are sitting up behind him, side by side. It looks like they're playing in a movie. Jerry Lee is the villain, offering some very corrupt deal indeed, and Lovell and Twyla are his bodyguards. "Four cases of tuna, Mr. Bond, or you will regret the consequences. Oh, and before I forget...there had better be plenty of those feather toys."
In the next, he's out of his villain character and back to being sweet Jerry Lee. He's sitting up, looking up with his famous "Hug me, love me" expression.
In the next one, he's practicing his yoga. This particular pose is known as Flirting Porcupine. In order to perform this, lie on your back on a comfortable sofa. As a yoga mat, use a soft blue afghan. As you lie on your back, bring your hind legs up towards your ears. Turn your head 90 degrees to peek out and hold a front paw to the side. Look out with a sensitive yet playful expression. This pose is scientifically proven to result in human adoration.
His next pose is from couples yoga. Charlene Butterbean is sitting up in Fluffy Mountain, and he is sitting in front of her in Mini Mountain, but turning his head to the side. He isn't quite as focused yet as Charlene, Cat Pose Mistress.
The last is a familiar photo. Lovell is lying on his side, head away from the camera. It looks like they've just been in a wrestling match and Lovell decided to nap. Jerry Lee is lying across him, facing the camera. He's looking up with an expression that demands Admire the Vanquisher.
It's a beautiful documentary of his life, from Teeny Tiny Tiger to the Great Wrestler.
Shana! Hoooray for Grace! And of course she isn't as pretty as Charlene Butterbean, that supermodel of the feline persuasion.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the pictures of Jerry Lee today. Though sometimes it is difficult, when someone crosses over -whether four legged or two legged, there is great comfort in celebrating the life of the one who has graduated to wonderful new realms of life.
Thank you for the pictures. What a wonderful tribute to his short life. What a wonderful last day on earth to have!
ReplyDeleteWe will have such a sweetie to greet us when we all go to the Bridge!
But sorry for your loss here and now.
Little Jerry Lee. How sweet he was, how beautiful, how I teared up yesterday and today. It's not fair but life isn't I guess. At least he knew love in his wee little life. You're doing wonderful work.
ReplyDeleteThank you for these pics. I've been thinking about Jerry Lee all day.
ReplyDeleteAw, we's so sorry Lil Jerry Lee hadta go to the Bridge. He's so cute. The Bridge gots a noo furry cute angel.Purrs to alla yall left behind here.
ReplyDeleteWe are all leaky eyed. What a sweet little fellow! And you gave him the best good bye a kitten can hope for!
ReplyDeleteEmil and Mrs. OZ
I just LOVE the one of Jerry Lee and Charlene. Wonderful! He touched so many lives with his short one. Precious little memories.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading this blog for a little while now, but haven't posted a comment before. I read it because I love seeing the photos of all the kittens - they always make me smile. And then I read about poor little Jerry Lee and end up in tears. I don't know how you, the IBKC, do it. You deserve some sort of award for loving these cats so much and for giving them such good homes. I figure that if I'm in tears over a blog post, I can hardly imagine what it would be like to go through this for real.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, just wanted to comment because I think that what you do is fantastic and I can't decide who is luckier: the IBKC for having kittens around, or the kittens, for having such great people looking after them.
I still can't believe he was so sick... He looked so full of life and healthy! I'm really thankful you gave him a lovely last day. Keep up the good work, I'm a real fan!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the beautiful set of pictures Laurie..You and your team are real stars,and I am sure Jerry Lee will be looking at you whereever he is..He was such a cute and handsome strong little baby and I will miss him soooo much.Dear little fur ball Jerry Lee,may you rest in peace with all the other kitties..Love you always -- Jeanne
ReplyDeleteJerry Lee will be missed.
ReplyDeleteMy eyes have overflowed again, darn it!
My girls - Toes and Marbles got to hear a bit about Jerry Lee and how the IBKC is a good way to have kitties around when I am at work and cannot get to them for a purr.
They are so very understanding in these situations!
And Marbles - as a former stray and momma cat who can appreciate Beulah's role....says loud }}Mrrroww!!!{{ as she drags a feather toy to the other end of the hall...
Thank you for sharing the extra photographs of Jerry Lee. What a delightful little fella he was, and what a great little life he had with you, his Mum Beulah and his darling siblings.
ReplyDeleteFarewell, little Jerry Lee.
ReplyDeleteYou were an itty bitty kitty, but you left a great big empty hole in our hearts. :(
I've been reading your blog for a long time now, and I felt like I had lost one of my own beloved kittens when I read your post yesterday. I hate to admit it, but I have a deep dark secret -- Jerry Lee was my favorite and I was rooting for him and sending him my love all the way from Orlando. I am still grieving his loss, and my heart goes out to you. You are truly wonderful for making his short stay on earth so beautiful and filled with joy.
ReplyDeleteLook at those happy, wonderful pictures. Thank you for giving Jerry Lee the best shot at a great life for a kitten. And thank you for all you do for these little guys and gals who might end up who-knows-where if not for your efforts and the efforts of those like you.
ReplyDeleteWe had so hoped that something could be done for him. Purrs.
ReplyDeleteI love these pictures. How lovely that you made his last day a special one.
ReplyDeleteall the best,
Cat
I've been so sad, thinking about little Jerry Lee. I feel like I knew him, so I can't imagine what y'all who did know him are going through. He was such a trooper, and such a little darling. I'm glad he had a great day before heading to the bridge. Thanks for the extra pictures of the sweet little kitty. His life was sadly short, but the pictures and words are proof that y'all made it a great one for him!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing more photos of this sweet, sweet, kitty. He cheered me up on the last days of high school, when everything was getting hectic. I never got the chance to meet him, but I still loved him very much. Thank you for allowing me to feel a connection, if only through the internet.
ReplyDeleteAwww. What a heartbreaker. Godspeed, little kitty.
ReplyDeleteI originally wrote this as a tribute to another furriend on And Then There Were Four. I felt that it also belonged here.
ReplyDeleteBefore I went to sleep, I decided that the next morning I would go and get a pet. I was not sure if it would be a dog or cat or bird or something else. All I knew was that I needed, no, wanted to share my life with another creature that would accept my friendship and affection.
As I slept, I fell into a deep dream.
There before me sat the most beautiful creature, neither male nor female. To either side of this wonderous creature, there were two indentical waterfalls with deep clear pools at their base. From each waterfall, the most crystal blue water cascaded down. I was entranced. Never before had I seen seen such beauty, such serentity.
Wordlessly, the creature motioned for me to come towards the pools at the base of the waterfalls. I noticed that at each pool, there was a small silver cup attached to a fine silver chain.
"Dip thy finger into the pool and taste." the creature said as it gestured to the pool to its left.
I did as instructed. As the clear cool liquid touched my tongue, my stomach clenched with pain and my heart pounded fiercely within my chest. A hollowness rang throughout my being that I feared I would never recover from.
"This is the Pool of Loss." the creature said and then it motioned to the other pool of water. "Dip thy finger into the pool and taste."
Warily, I drew my forefinger through the water of the other pool of water. As my finger touched my tongue, a joy so deep and pure touched my soul. A wave of happiness and wonder drowned the pangs of sorrow and loss the first pool had caused.
"This is the Pool of Memory." the creature said. "If you take one of God's creatures into your heart, you must be prepared to drink from both pools. Do you accept this as your covenant, your bond with one of God's creatures?"
Silently I nodded yes.
"Then drink from each pool." The creature instructed as it motioned towards the silver cups at the sides of the pools."For now they will bear no taste, but in time you will discover how much you have partaken of each."
The very next day, I went and found a kitten at a local pound. It was the smallest one of the litter and it was the one who seemed to need me the most.
I watched it grow and play and I revelled in the smallest joy it brought to me. But then without warning, it was taken from me in a way most sudden and cruel.
Once again I felt the pangs I had felt in my dream when I tasted the waters of the Pool of Loss. Only this time, I thought the pain would never leave. Then, I remembered the taste of the waters from the Pool of Memory. Slowly the pain of Loss began to subside, and was replaced with the joy of Memory.
Now I realized that I had drank more from the Pool of Loss than the Pool of Memory in my dream. But now I knew that the Pool of Memory brought more than enough comfort to offset the pain the Pool of Loss could cause.
I now bear the knowledge that each time I open my heart to one of God's creatures, I drink from the Pool of Memory and the Pool of Loss. How much I partake depends on each creature and that, in the end, the power of Memory is so much more powerful than the power of Loss.
*** I post this long after the fact that Jerry Lee has left us. It is my sign post to those who know what a great creature he was. ***