Thursday, May 5, 2016

Bennette's Farewell

Bennette left for the Rainbow Bridge on May 4th.   She had been ill for awhile, but it was still sudden  and a shock for us.

She wanted to say goodbye herself.

I came to my family at the very end of September in 2008.  This is how they first saw me.  I had made a nest in one of Jonesie's gardens.  I knew I was charming them because they started calling me Miss Got Milk because of my milk mustache.

On October 1st, I took advantage of a rare opportunity.   Grete, the new woofie at the time, was spending the night at the vet recovering from the first of her elbow surgeries.   With the coast clear, being the opportunist I was, I made my move.   It was my target's mom's birthday and while they were having dinner I knocked at the door.  Like a proper visitor.  They opened the door and I simply walked in.  Like I owned the place.   The best birthday present my mom ever received.

This next photo is about a week later after I had firmly established myself as a member of the family.   They shortened my name...Miss Got Milk to  G-Moo, a nickname that stuck with me always.   I was formerly named  Bennette, after another loved stray Benjamin.  Mom was fairly certain we were litter mates.


I established myself as totally in control and in charge.   Mom and dad said they had never met a cat who was so totally self aware and comfortable in her own fur.   Ha!  That was me!  Don't let this picture below fool you.  I liked to throw mild punches, but I adored my best friend Ellie. We were very close and were often sleeping together.   I always wished that Ellie was my mom.  I adored her giving me baths.


I was always willing to curl up and help my mom watch The Tour de France.   


I had a very kissable face.  

I had  8 of the best years of my life with my family.  I never did reveal how I became homeless so that part of my story will always be a mystery.  What I do know is that I chose my new family well.  We had the best of times together.  I was well loved.


45 comments:

Jans Funny Farm said...

What a great story. We're happy you had such a happy life in your chosen home, Bennette. With such history, we know you are greatly missed. A warm hug, purrs and paw taps of comfort for your loving family.

Summer at sparklecat.com said...

Bennette, you had 8 really awesome years. I know your family wished you could have had more, but you already hit the jackpot when you showed up in Jonesie's garden, and you knew it. Purrs to all you left behind - I know how badly you will be missed.

ZOOLATRY said...

Farewell, beautiful girl.

Goldie and Banshee said...

What a sweet face. You had such a wonderful, blessed life. Go find Shade over at the Bridge and you two tuxies can have some fun running the wilds together! Big purrs to you all.

Marg said...

Oh Bennette, you sure chose a great home and we are so glad you knocked on that door. Your Mom gave you the greatest gift of letting you go.

Brian's Home Blog said...

We are so very sorry you had to go sweet Bennette, you did choose the best home. We send purrs, love and hugs to your most wonderful family.

ThePainterPack said...

So very sorry for your loss. What a great blessing it was for her to choose you as her family! Goodbye beautiful.

Fuzzy Tales said...

Bennette, it's such a shock to us too, to read that you've crossed to the Bridge. As everyone else has written, you chose the perfect home, and we're very thankful you had those years of love and care. Purrs to your family as they grieve your passing, and godspeed to your spirit.

Peace.

Nicki, Derry and Kim

Random Felines said...

sometimes the best families are the ones you can choose yourself. we are sending purrs....we are very sorry Bennette had to leave

CatInTheFridge said...

Sending lots of purrs and love. - Alana and Crepes.

Hannah and Lucy said...

You chose the best possible Mum to take care of you Bennette and she looked after you so well.

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

Bennette what a great forever and ever story. We are so happy that you chose so wisely to spend these 8 years with your true forever family. You know all of your virtual family is going to miss you just like your true forever one. We are so sorry you left for the Rainbow Bridge, but you do have many friends there, like my Abby & Gracie. My deepest sympathies for your forever family, their hearts are shattered now that you've left. Please watch over them and give them comfort where you can, we will all try to purr and help too. Farewell for now Bennette, until we meet again.

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

I am so sorry you had to go to the Bridge, Bennette but know you will meet many old friends there. I send my purrs to your family and my mum sends her condolences.

Fozziemum said...

Sending our purrs and hugs to your family sweet one ...we known the pain of farewells and even if we have not met the love is still there for you all..Loves Fozziemum and family xx

John Bellen said...

I love the story of how you simply knocked on the door and came in to stay. That's a cat who knows where she is going. I'm sorry you had to go; no doubt eight years seems a very short time to your family. But who knows how long before that you spent searching for them. Some cats - and people - never find their homes, so I am glad you did. Godspeed, Bennette.

wildcatwoods said...

We are so sorry for your family that you have gone to the Bridge. We know you picked the right family to live with for the last years of your earthly life. They loved you so much. Sending hugs and healing light to those you left behind.

Gemini and Ichiro said...

We were very sad over here to learn that you had left us Miss Bennette. You certainly were correct that you chose a good family. Your passing will leave another big hole in their hearts.

Forty Paws said...

We are so sad that it was your time to cross over. Your family is sad, but they know it was your time. Give all those who went before you hugs and kisses from all of us still left on earth. Many hugs and purrs and purrayers are being sent to your family from all of us.

All of us at Forty Paws and Maw

Debra Taylor said...

Sorry you had to lose Bennette. We know the pain of such a loss. I think of our cats as persons.

Glad Bennette had 8 years of wonderful love and care!

Debby
http://homelesscatcare.blogspot.com

Kitties Blue said...

Please accept our sincere condolences on the loss of your beloved Bennette. The best cats are usually the ones who adopted us. RIP Bennette. You were well loved. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

GLOGIRLY said...

We are so very sorry for the loss of your sweet Bennette.
Sending you our most special and loving purrs.
(((love)))
Glogirly, Katie & Waffles

Team Tabby said...

You gave your family 8 wonderful years Bennette. So sorry it could not have been longer.

Mindy
Moe
Cookie
Mike

Cathy Keisha said...

I'm here to pay my respects to Bennette. *bows head* I'm sending comforting purrz to the rest of the family she chose so well.

Angel Prancer Pie said...

Sending purrs of comfort to all of you. Bennette was a beautiful girl, inside and out.
XOXO

Mark's Mews (Marley, Lori, Loki, and Binq) said...


Our Best Purrs Of Comfort to you all. What a wunnerful story she told us of her life...

Cats~Goats~Quotes said...

We are so sorry to read about Bennette, such a pretty girl. They do keep some secrets to themselves and take them along to the Bridge. We will learn them when it's our turn to go. Many ((hugs)) to the ones she leaves behind.
~ Mom Bobbie and The Bunch

da tabbies o trout towne said...

Bennette; thanx for sharing your story; we enjoyed reading it; we are sorry we did not have the honor of knowing you. Godspeed your journey, with sympathies and hugs to your family ~~~~~~~ ♥♥♥♥♥ boomer, daisy, tuna; and dude and sauce too

Unknown said...

You chose the very best for yourself, Bennette, and I am sure you found just the right place at the Bridge, too. We are sad for your family, but their love for you will conquer sadness and you still with them in their hearts. For now we send our sympathy and many purrs to your family. - Russell, Alice, and Scooter and Jobi

The Florida Furkids said...

We're going to miss you sweet Bennette. You really did well picking a family and we're glad we got to know you. RIP. Purrs and prayers to your family.

The Florida Furkids

Timmy Tomcat said...

Bennette you really have beautiful eyes. What a great story you have. We know you will be watching over your family as you fly over on your new and beautiful wings.
Purrs and prayers of support to your family dear Bennette
Timmy, Dad and Family

Raymond and Busby said...

Run free, dear friend. Save a place for us in the garden on the other side of the bridge.

(angel) Grrreta and Fam said...

We are so very sorry for your loss of sweet Bennette. Thank you for giving her such a wonderful home and family, and for sharing her adventures with us. We send you comforting hugs and purrs.

Quill and Greyson said...

We miss you already sweet Bennette. Love and hugs to your family. We're so sorry for your loss.

Angel Simba said...

Oh, Bennette, you really did find the best family. We are so sorry you had to leave for the Rainbow Bridge but I am sure you are feeling really well and kittenish there. So nice to meet up with those who went before.

I also want to tell your humans that we are so sorry that Madison had to go: somehow we were not aware of Madison's passing.

Purrs and prayers and comfort.

Melissa, Mudpie and Angel Truffles (Mochas, Mysteries and Meows) said...

I'm so, so sorry you had to go to the Bridge, Bennette. You were a beautiful little girl and will be missed.

Mickey's Musings said...

We are sorry you have made your way to the Bridge Bennette.
You are right about choosing the best family :)
It is good that you had the best years of your life with them.
We know they will miss you very much, so we send them comforting purrs.
Purrs Georgia and Julie,
Treasure and JJ

Alastriona, The Cats and Dogs said...

Bennette, we will miss you. We are glad you said goodbye to us. And yes we thinks you had a very kissable face. What a wonderful Gotcha Day story, you sure knew what you were doing when you picked your family. We so wish you could have had more than 8 years with them. We will send comforting purrs to your family as we know they will miss you very much.

Gigi said...

What a great tale of a kitty who found her purrfect home and family. We are very sorry it was her time to leave for the Bridge, but we love her good-bye story. Godspeed, Bennette, and many purrs for your family who will miss you very much and feel sad for quite some time.

The Island Cats said...

Bennette, you did find the purrfect family...and your family was lucky to have found you too. We're sorry you have left this world...you will be missed. We send lots of comforting purrs to your family.

pilch92 said...

I am so glad you had so many wonderful years with such a loving family. Rest in Peace beautiful one.

meowmeowmans said...

We are sad that you had to go to the Bridge, sweet Bennette, but glad you found the perfect loving home for all those years. Fly free, dear one, until the day you and your loving family are reunited.

Just Ducky said...

Sorry you took off to The Bridge, your family will miss you lots. You will live on in their hearts. Have a blast at The Bridge with the gang who has gone before.

Tama-Chan, Benny, Vidock, Violette, Ollie, Heloise, Momo, Ryu said...

Sweet Bennette, we know how much you will be missed, first by your family who had the joy of sharing their lives with you for eight years, and then by all of us, scattered across the world, who know what a very special home you had and how much love reigns there. Till we meet again, Dear Friend.

Purrs, Woofs, Neighs and Hugs,
Tama-Chan, Sei-Chan, Da Beebs, Genji, Tommy, Vidock , Violette and #1

Anonymous said...

We are so sorry for your family's loss of you, Bennette. We are glad you lived in a warm and loving home and brought joy to your family. Bless you and run free!

Connie - Tails from the Foster Kittens said...

My heart goes out to those you left behind. I hope you get to visit them often and they feel you with them always.