16 toes front, 12 back.
1 transcontinental and 6 international flights. 6 countries. 13 houses.
1 pound aged parmesan reggiano, 1 can vegetarian refried beans eaten. 20-plus raw shrimp stolen from the kitchen counter. numerous woks licked clean of all traces of mapo dofu.
2 3-story falls, from the same dining room window. 1 9th-floor balcony railing tightrope-walked.
3 kittens put in their place. 7 dogs chased from the yard. 1 lizard vanquished. tens of dead mice and birds laid at our feet.
3 dog beds pissed on.
8 glass vases broken.
countless balled-up paper bags fetched and returned. 3 mini trolls mauled to bald. 2 stuffed frogs and 1 plush strawberry dismantled.
1 household ruled.
1 big personality in 1 small body.
19+ years.
there'll never be another like him.
Bob, we miss you.
I'm sorry for your loss. Sounds like he was a real character.
Posted by: Annie | 2008.06.20 at 13:34
Robyn and Dave -- What a beautiful kitty -- and what a soulful look he has in his eyes in the picture. We're so sorry for your loss.
Posted by: Jennifer | 2008.06.20 at 15:06
So sad to hear about Bob. 19+ years - you and Dave were really good parents to him!
cupcake
Posted by: Cupcake | 2008.06.20 at 15:39
Sorry to hear about Bob. He had a long, well-travelled and eventful life.
shiewie
Posted by: shiewie | 2008.06.20 at 18:12
Nice memories! Wish we all could be so lucky to have had such a friend!
Posted by: nate | 2008.06.20 at 18:20
sorry to hear that. sounds like a great cat and he sure got an apparently fitting tribute.
Posted by: chris hyde | 2008.06.20 at 18:48
Sad, but he was clearly a lucky cat. But for the grace of god go I. Two 12 year old carpetdogs...
Posted by: carpetblogger | 2008.06.20 at 19:19
Wonderful memories indeed! Sorry to learn about your lost.
Posted by: Kian | 2008.06.20 at 19:57
I'm very glad to have had the chance to meet He of the Many, Many Toes. He was a class act indeed.
Posted by: BM | 2008.06.20 at 21:08
Oh, Robyn - I'm so sorry.
What a beautiful tribute to a lovely animal.
xox
Posted by: Jennifer Jeffrey | 2008.06.20 at 23:25
Sorry to hear of your loss. Did the extra toes make up for the lack of opposable thumbs? ;)
Posted by: noodleman | 2008.06.21 at 00:19
Robyn and Dave,
I am sorry.
What a wonderful, eventful life Bob has led.
Posted by: ELE | 2008.06.21 at 02:12
Bob sounds like he broke in his humans well for the next feline that joins the household.
Posted by: Jeff D | 2008.06.21 at 02:41
He looks kinda like 'my' cat here Bangkok (actually a street cat with no owner). Even though she's not 'mine' I'd miss her if she was gone. My condolences.
Posted by: Austin | 2008.06.21 at 03:43
Everyone - thanks for your condolences. Much appreciated.
Jeff - we have 3 others, but none of them are as indulged as Bob was. ;-)
Graham - funny you should ask that. While Bob couldn't pick up the phone or hoist a beer mug, in his younger stronger days he was able - with the 8 toes of his front paw - to put quite a squeeze to any proffered finger and, occasionally, pick up a pencil!
Posted by: Robyn | 2008.06.21 at 19:10
The same type of cat as our Sarah who lost her twin around a year ago. I am sure Bob was a panther in his own right, and a long and well lived one at that. Celebrate the end of his well travelled life, adopt another cat to continue the journey, the other three would welcome their new friend :>)!
Posted by: Mudzaffar | 2008.06.22 at 14:20
So long, Bob. Happy trails in your next lives.
Posted by: jneilnyc | 2008.06.23 at 00:30
He looked and sounded like a well-loved cat. From another cat lover, regards and condolences.
Posted by: mila | 2008.06.23 at 22:44
What a beautiful epitaph. And the picture of Bob just sparkles with his charm and strength of character.
Posted by: Lisa | 2008.06.30 at 21:06