This is my dear friend Sarah. She comes through town once or twice each year and brings along her dog Dulcey, who you've met several times before.
Last December, Sarah's mother passed away. I never had the pleasure of meeting Sarah's mom, but over the years, I heard many stories about this incredible woman. In her decades on this planet, she touched many lives. "Wylla" was her name.
To pay tribute, I asked Sarah if I she would mind if I named a kitten after her mother. Sarah agreed, and our Stout little girl became "Wylla".
Yesterday, Sarah and Dulcey came by and got to meet Wylla.
The visit was sweet. Sarah had been adoring our girl from afar, and was so happy to finally meet her face-to-face. They became fast friends, and Wylla spent a long stretch of time perched on Sarah's shoulder.
And Dulcey met Wylla too. Their friendship wasn't instant - Wylla let out many low growls and a hiss or two. Ducley, who has met many cats and kittens, was a little disappointed that the welcome wasn't warmer.
Thanks for taking time to visit us while you were in town, Sarah. It's always a treat to see you, and I'm so glad you got to spend a little time with our Wylla.
Such lovely pictures! So glad Wylla's daughter got to meet Wylla, the kitten! And glad to see that Wylla kitten eventually recognized Dulcey's goodness!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tribute to her mother and how apt that Wylla is the one that is staying with you forever. What a handsome doggie Dulcey is and clearly a cat lover like us.
ReplyDeleteAwww, how sweet! And such a good puppy to be patient with the kitten!
ReplyDeleteAh, the sweet little unexpected threads of life. Wylla will be Wylla forever- not renamed like the other IBK's. It has to bring a smile to everyone's heart to know she has such a lovely story.
ReplyDeleteI think if we wouldn't of kept her, Sarah would have scooped Wylla up. Ducley does love cats. She desperately wanted to play with Wylla.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story of the origin of our Wylla's name! And what a sweet dog Dulcey is!
ReplyDeleteThat is so lovely that Wylla's namesake has become a member of your family! And I remember Dulcey -- clearly, she's a smart dog to be so good with kitties, and she has such a pretty brindle coat! That was a wonderful article about your friend's mother. Women like her made it possible for women like us to do what we do today, so it's a very touching tribute for you to have given her name to this darling little girl.
ReplyDelete"Dr. Wylla Barsness is a woman of small stature, twinkling eyes, and there is a hint of laughter in her voice. But beneath her rather traditional appearance lives a fighter."
ReplyDeleteYep, that sounds like kitty Wylla.
Okay, Laurie, just when I think you can't make me cry - you do! This is a wonderful acknowldegment of your friend, her mom and your friendship with her. And Wylla was looking cute, as usual.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story! I'm sure Big Wylla is proud of her cute namesake. And what a sweetheart Dulcey is!
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful meeting....and for Sarah to know her mom's name lives on :)
ReplyDelete"Dr. Wylla Barsness is a woman of small stature, twinkling eyes, and there is a hint of laughter in her voice. But beneath her rather traditional appearance lives a fighter..."
ReplyDeleteWith the notable exception of "traditional appearance," doesn't that sound a lot like Wylla the kitten? How appropriate that this kitten was named after this woman.
Is this the same Sarah who made the "I'm with Bean" tag?
We have many Sarahs in our life! This is Sarah B. Sarah H gave Wylla the tag and also was one of Bean's foster moms.
DeleteMore proof that the Universe meant for Wee Wylla to be your kitty, what a sweet tribute to Sarah's mom! My mom passed away in May 2011 and I still miss her every day. Hopefully Dulcey will get a kitty brother or sister to play with in the future!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story! I wondered where Wylla's name came from.
ReplyDeleteAnd I LOVE Dulcey's ears! Stand up ears with the tips flipped down are my all time favorite kind of ear. Dulcey reminds me of my mother's dog Olive (now sadly departed), who also adored kitties. I'm glad that Dulcey's patience was eventually rewarded.
Such a perfect story! I'm glad Wylla eventually 'accepted' Dulcey :)
ReplyDeleteWow! An courageous namesake for an courageous kitten! Thank you for sharing Dr. Barsness' story. We are indebted to women like her!
ReplyDeleteThat's so true! The original Wylla was an amazing woman.
DeleteI'm glad Sarah was able to meet the kitten named after her mother. Dr. Wylla sounds like quite the force of nature and my kind of woman, and I wish I could have met her. Dulcey is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWylla the Human has quite the namesake in young Wylla Stout.
ReplyDeleteI wondered where the unusual name "Wylla" came from and now I know its origin I feel it is even more special!
great story and great pictures. would write more but can't see keyboard through my tears
ReplyDeleteThey are both so gentle with each other, my heart melted a bit.
ReplyDeleteVery touching photos, and a very nice story.
ReplyDeleteOh, oh! As if there wasn't enough to love about Wylla? She gets impossibly cuter every day, every posting. Wylla is such a special little bean! <3
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story! And I love that last picture with Dulcey - it looks like our Wylla still isn't so sure!
ReplyDeleteIt feels so right...
ReplyDeleteThank you to Wylla Barsness for being such an awesome pioneer for all us women. Thank you to Sarah B. for sharing the story of her mother. We're so sorry for your loss, Sarah. Thank you to Laurie and her thoughtfulness for honoring Mrs. Wylla B. And thank you for the greater IBKC ethos in honoring such a spirited women with such a spirited kitty!
ReplyDeleteWonderful story on the naming of wee Wylla and a fitting tribute to lovely lady.
ReplyDeleteThanks,everyone, for your lovely comments! And to Laurie - for everything she is and does, especially her friendship!
ReplyDeleteLove the stories. What kind of dog is Dulcey? We just adopted a dog that looks just like him.
ReplyDeleteShe's part Pitbull - I'm not sure about the rest.
Delete