Monday, November 10, 2008

Monday Mancat Memories- Roger Ramjet

Last week I talked about the legacy of Meezers in my family. There's more to the story than Meezers. To really understand my family you have to know about Roger Ramjet. My mom and dad entered the world of kitty rescue when this larger than life man-cat came into their lives in 1985.

It was just another day in the summer of 1985. The front door was open, the screen door closed. Then there was a cat there....paws on the screen, looking in and checking out the house. The screen door opened, and he walked in. He was not neutered and he had the scars that you'd expect to see. Asking around the neighborhood, everyone seemed to know him, but no one knew where he lived. My mom and dad got him neutered, vaccinated, got him a collar and a tag and let him go about his business figuring out that if he went "home", the humans would see the phone number and call. Never happened. He was extremely proud of his collar and tag.

He was named Roger Ramjet. Our hero. He was a friend to all, meaning he seemed to know everyone, including the possums and the raccoons, cats and dogs...you name it. It didn't take long to figure out that he must have been President of the local cat union. My mom and dad didn't know at the time where the meeting place was located, but they were certain he was leading the meetings. It was only a couple of years ago that we figured out that the local cat union meetings were being held at a local auto body shop the kitties could access down a cul-de-sac and through a fence. The kind man who owned the shop was feeding homeless and feral kitties for years. The kind man passed away recently and the shop is no more.

Roger hunted and brought back his bounty for the family. He would eat exactly half of a mouse and leave the other half on the doorstep. He always shared what he had. He loved milk more than anything in the world. Instead of calling him to come in at night, all mom would have to do is get the plastic milk jug and scratch her fingers on it. He'd come running. He'd join cereal time with the neighbor kids and walk into their houses to get in on the milk.

He loved playing in fall leaves.

Roger left us in the summer of 1990 after a battle with kidney disease. He was only with us 5 years, but his legacy has lasted forever. It was 4 months after Roger left that Maxfield showed up. We asked, did Roger send you? Yes, he did. Roger has been sending us lost, scared, starving and alone kitties ever since.



Forever Autumn
The summer sun is fading as the year grows old, and darker days are drawing near, the winter winds will be much colder, now you're not here.
I watch the birds fly south across the autumn sky, and one by one they disappear. I wish that I was flying with them, now you're not here
Like the sun through the trees you came to love me, like a leaf on a breeze you blew away
Through autumns golden gown we used to kick our way, you always loved this time of year, those fallen leaves lie undisturbed now, 'cause you're not here
Like the sun through the trees you came to love me, like a leaf on a breeze you blew away
A gentle rain falls softly on my weary eyes, as if to hide a lonely tear. My life will be forever autumn, 'cause you're not here
~Justin Hayward

17 comments:

Poppy Q said...

That was a great story about awesome Roger Ramjet, what a groovy guy. Such a beautiful photo. He must be having some fun at the bridge, watching over you all.

Goldie, Shade and Banshee said...

What a sweet post. It made the PM's eyes leak. Roger Ramjet was quite a special guy!

Love that shot of him in the leaves.

Purrs Goldie and Shade

Forever Foster said...

Thankyou for telling us about Roger Ramjet. He sounds like a lovely kitty cat. What a mancat he is to have shared like that. It sounds like he had a lot of love in his heart.

Anonymous said...

What a extra special little guy.
I do not have the words to do him justice.
Thank you for sharing such a story of such a beautiful hearted man cat :)

V-V

Everycat said...

Thank you for sharing the story of wonderful Roger Ramjet and for caring for him so well for five years. What a true character cat he was. Sitting proudly in the fallen leaves there, beautiful.

Whicky Wuudler
*sniff*

Unknown said...

Roger Ramjet sounds like a cool dude... and a lucky one, too!

Anonymous said...

Cats have a special sense that leads them where they will be loved best. Roger Ramjet was beautiful in his heart and his spirit lives on. Thanks you for sharing his story with us today!

Forty Paws said...

That's a very lufferly story about Roger Ramjet and Maxwell too.

Luf, Us

Maggie May said...

Cory, you are the most wonderful storyteller. We just love reading about the kitties who have touched the lives of your mommy and daddy through out the years. Roger Ramjet sounds a lot like Holley, the intruder kitty. Our beans thought about putting a collar on her with their phone number to see if anyone would claim her. They are starting to believe her is a him though.

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

:::kitty clapping:::

Oh we loved the story of Roger Ramjet, what a wonderful kitty, so proud so kind so caring. And what a marvelous picture of him and we loved the poem it brought leaky eyes to my Momma.

purrs,
Abby

Daisy said...

What a beautiful story about Roger Ramjet. I can tell that he was very special. Thank you so much for telling his story!

MaoMao said...

Oh, what a beeyootiful post. Momma's gotted teary-eyed. And she loves the poem, too.

Roger Ramjet sounds like a wunnerful, fine and inspirashunal mancat. Thankies fur sharin him with us.

Kittyhugs and purrs from MaoMao.

Gemini and Ichiro said...

That was a great story about Roger Ramjet

Angel MoMo and Charlotte said...

Great story - thankyou for sharing. It appears that our tuxi visitor have come back from time to time. Not just for food/water but also for a sunny safe haven from the streets.

Parker said...

What a sweet, sweet post about a wonderful kitty. It made my Mommy a little leaky.

The Crew said...

Roger sounds like a fine fellow and it's nice to know he's still looking out for his friends.

Ivan from WMD said...

Aw, what a nice story!