Thirteen has always been my lucky number, so I'm not surprised that March 13 (2009) is Ben's Gotcha Day.
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| baby Ben |
He was a stray, found on the mean streets and taken to Toronto Animal Services. Our Max had just died (see his story in the
Just For Sweet Max tab), even though I was still reeling from that loss and not ready to get another cat, Casper was so sad and lonely without Max that we had to do what was best for him. Robert said he needed another buddy and I had to agree.
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| Ben and big brother Casper |
Three evenings in a row we went back to the shelter and basically ignored Ben (or Kennedy as he was known then) because he was only about five months old. I was firmly against adopting a youngster, since the disease that killed Max usually hits kittens less than one year or older cats more than ten years. But Ben was persistent, he would reach his paws outside his cage and try to catch us while dancing around on his hind legs, we thought isn’t he sweet as we walked on by and went to look at other cats. Finally Robert took him out and held him towards me saying “what about this little guy”? I cradled him in my arms and he lay contentedly on his back and made happy paws in the air. Well I was hooked and we took him home immediately. After two years together I constantly marvel at what a fantastic cat Ben is and how
he knew that we were the right people for him and didn’t give up trying to tell us so!
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| best pals |
Ben and Casper became fast friends. Casper took him under his wing and taught him everything he knew (both good AND bad). Sometimes I think back to those nights at the shelter and I truly shudder to think that we almost didn't pick Ben. He is a quirky little guy who is intense and emotional and a bit of a Mama's boy, but I wouldn't change him one bit. We have been joyfully rewarded EVERY SINGLE DAY with Ben as a part of our family!
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| grown up mancat and big brother himself :-) |
Ben's very special ladycat Clemmie from
Life from a Cat's Perspective send him this beautiful Gotcha Day Card.
Thank you Clemmie, I love you :-) ~Ben xoxo
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| beautiful Clemmie |
52 comments:
What a lovely heart warming story about Ben. Thank you for sharing.
Happy 2nd Gotcha Day Ben!!!!
I'm so happy you have a good home now with love and care from your lovely mommy. Plus Best friend Casper. I hope you have a wonderful day, Ben : ) with lot of treats and toys
xxoxxo
Happy 2nd Gotcha Day to handsome Ben! We hope the day brings your favourite food, extra treats and maybe even a nip fest! :-)
-Nicki and Derry
What a beautiful story!
I am fond (I should say "mad") of tuxedo cats.
But we were unlucky with our tuxedo cats. In a span of 8 years, 2 disappeared, one was ran over by a car and one suffered from renal insufficiency and we had to put her asleep. I can't help crying each time I think of her, seekind my hand during the last seconds of her life. She was beautiful, so sweet and had so mangificent green eyes... Now we have a new one, we love him, I cross my fingers, hoping that we will keep him many many years.
Oh, Cat, that story made me cry it's so sweet! Kitties seem to know who they should be with and a person should never doubt the 'rightness' of it. And sometimes the kitty who has gone to the bridge knows our grief and helps in the sending of another to comfort us.
They work in mysterious ways!
Happy gotcha day Ben!
Happy 2nd Gotcha Day Ben! xxx
Happy Gotcha Day, Ben. You knew exactly what you wanted and needed and literally reached out for it.
A big 2nd happy Gotcha day Ben. You look like such a good boy. Love the picture of you and Casper back to back. We hope you have a special day today Ben and get lots of extra treats but we know you will. Take care.
What a beautiful story!
I am fond, if not mad, of tuxedo cats. We were unlucky with ours up to now, but we hope our boy "Biloute" (pronounce "be" of "behind" and "loot", but with a short "u") will stay with us for many, many years.
Our previous tuxedo cat, Doussia, suffered from renal insufficiency, we tried everything to heal her, consulted three vets, but were finally compelled to put her asleep. I am crying every time I think of her, seeking my hand, in the last seconds of her life. My husband and I were stroking her lovefully, but she stretched her head towards my hand, I will never forget this gesture.
We have 6 cats, we love all of them, but tuexedo cats have a special place in my heart.
Happy Gotcha Day Ben! We hope you have a lovely day.
Our mum just read Max' story and was in floods of tears because it was so sad. She is very glad that you chose him though and gave him such love and happiness for the last few weeks of his far too short life.
Happy Gotcha Day sweet Ben, you're a wonderful brother!
Happy Gotcha Day Ben, we are so happy you got your parents to listen to you.
PS: Good morning Prince Casper, I hopes you will come strolling with me in the garden today. ~Artemisia
How lovely. The photo's say it all. Ben knew you were for him and did his best to let you know. How lovely that he got on so well with casper from the beginning. Happy gotcha day Ben.. Hugs GJ xx
I read Max' story in the meantime. So sad! I was crying, because of the illness but also because of the pureness of the friendship between Casper and Max.
I posted 2 comments, as I did not see my first one published... I thought I had done someting wrong, but it's just the time difference between America and Europe, I guess...
Have a nice day!
By the way, what does mean "gotcha"?
looloo
Oh what a happy family and your babies are so loved and cherished. I loved reading about Ben and I will go read Max's story.
Happy Gotcha Day precious one.
xox
Hi Looloo, I published both of your earlier comments so that if you checked back you would see that it didn't disappear :-) Do you have a blog?
Gotcha is a colloquial pronunciation of "I have got you." Just a fun term we use to celebrate the anniversary that we got our cats. Ben's birthday is unknown because he was abandoned.
Your boys look so happy together - thanks for sharing Ben's Gotcha Day with us.
luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
Thanks for the explanation, Cat!
No, I don't have a blog, I am taking advantage of all these other ones... :-)
Happy Gotcha Day Ben!!
The Florida Furkids and Angel Sniffie
Happy Gotcha Day, Ben!! We're so happy you got gotted into such a wonderful home!!
Happy Gotcha Day, Ben! You picked the right family! :-D We hope you have a very special day.
Pip, Smidgen, Minnie, and Hollie
YAY, Ben, we are so happy you were persistent so we could be celebrating this Gotcha Day with you!!!!!!!! You knew a good thing when you saw it.
Love to you and all at your house.......four legged and two legged. :)
Ben, I am so happy you picked each other!
We are so glad you got gotted Ben! Have a happy day celebrating!
Happy Gotcha Day, Ben!!! I love the story how you found your forever home. You picked the best family!
Hope you have a wonderful day!
Happy 2nd Gotcha Day, Ben! I'm sure glad you didn't give up and let your parents know that you were the one. You sound like a feisty little guy, and very loving one, as well -- just the PURRfect combo in a cat. Of course, you're handsome, too -- no wonder Clemmie fell in love with you.
I hope you get lots of extra treats, toys, nip and TLC today.
Wow, what a great story! I'm happy for Ben and for you of course, too. I always say that cats choose there food slaves and their home by themselves. If they don't like it, they walk away. That's the way we got our Noah, too. In an animal talk he told me, that the owner had thrown his boots after him, that's the reason he left his earlier home. If it's true I don't know, but he's scared from human beings, especially from men...
Kind regards
Alex
Happy 2nd Gotcha Day, Ben! You're story made That Woman's eyes get all leaky! I am so glad you got picked that day & you KNEW where you were supposed to be! We kitties are full of the smart!
xoxo
Ms. Stella O'Houligan
Happy Gotcha Day Ben!
Happy Second Gotcha Day, Ben!!
You hit the lottery two years ago!
Happy Sunday to you all..
~ Jasmine
Happy Gotcha Day, Ben! I am so glad you were gotted. Sometimes my Mommeh thinks back about how she almost did not pick Harley because she had a whole shelter of kitties to pick from and could not decide.
Happy Gotcha Day, Ben!! Lucky you to have the family you do.
Happy gotcha day, Ben! Isn't it funny how we kitties always seem to know more than humans? It was SO obvious that you knew who your humans were - it took THEM a while to figure it out!
Happy Gotcha Day, Ben. You may have been little when she gotcha, but you were sure wise for your years. We're glad you were persistent.
Your big brother, Casper, looks like he really loves having you around!
What a sweet adoption story! I love that he was so determined to go home with you.
Happy Gotcha Day Ben we are so happy that you have such a fine home with wonderful pawrents and terrific brothers and sisters...we read Max's story and what a special boy, I could not hold the tears back.
purrin
xoxox
Happy Gotcha Day Ben!
I think you and Lewis would be such good friends-you are both quirky,intense,emotional and Mama's boys.That is alot of the sames.AND you are both tuxedo cats.Wowsers!
You are lucky to have such sweet brothers and a wonderful Maman and Papa too!Have some nip on us!
the critters in The Cottage
Happy 2nd Gotcha Day Ben! You were such a smartie pants to be persistent with your mom and dad. You sure knew who the right people were for you!
We brought some nip to help you celebrate!
xoxo Cory and family
Happy Gotcha Day, Ben! You were right to keep talking to them. Cats always know best.
Happy Gotcha Day!!!
PURRRRRS
Luna & Zulu
Happy Happy Gotcha Day Ben! We think Humans are silly about letting us chose them! Of course we know best. You got gotted by a great family, that's for sure.
What a great Gotcha Day story sweet Ben! Happiest of Gotcha days to you!!
Happy Gotcha Day, Ben! :)
Happy Gotcha Day Ben!! I will be right over to spend the evening with you!
Love & hugs,
Clemmie
Awwww ... we so enjoyed reading Ben's story. He is where he should be ~ home with his rightful fambly. We hope Ben has a wonderful love filled day.
Happy (late) Gotchaday, Ben! We love the stories on how a cat was chosen from the shelters. In your case, it sounds like how a cat chose you!
We are so sorry we missed your Gotcha Day party, Ben!! We hope it was fabulous!! We think you and your Mom are very lucky to have found each other!
Hey I may be a bit late - but my wishes are still sincere.
Happy Gotcha Day, Ben.
Purrs,
Genghis
Happy Gotcha Day, Ben! Awww what a sweet story about how he tried to reach out of his cage and grab you because he wanted to be your kitty. We are glad you picked him!
Oah Ben, Happy Happy 2nd Gotcha Day~!
You are a tender nice and handsome kitty, I know it!!!!
Congratulations~!!!!
Happy Belated Gotcha Day Ben! I'z got my jazz paws goin' for ya buddy! What a sweet story!
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