We've lost 3 of our babies since we became BookCrossers in 2002. Johnnie picked up Katie Dog in Oct. 1989, abandoned on the side of the road, miles from the nearest house. He pulled her out of the cedar tree that she had climbed in her panic, (in fact, he thought it was a kitten until he pulled her out!), thus beginning almost 15 years of joy and laughter. She loved us, and hated everything else in the world-thunder, dogs, cats, possums, squirrels, and other people. But, she loved us totally and completely-except when we looked at her food dish. We lost her on July 28, 2004.

We have had Tiger since kittenhood, 5 years. He was timid, and had only mellowed enough to purr and cuddle in the last few months. He was the last generation of our original barn cats. The yellow tint to his fur was one of their trademarks, as were the crossed-eyes. His life was cut short by a rampaging dog.

Bob adopted us about 2 years ago. It took weeks of conversation before he finally made up his mind to be part of the family, and I think he was always a bit embarrassed about his weakness, but he was a fine old cat. He simply vanished one day. We will never know if something happened to him on his travels, or if he decided to move on, as becomes a wandering cat.

GreyKitty died crossing the street to her second home. She was born an alley cat and refused to live in the house. We were never sure if she was hit by a car or simply collapsed from heart failure. She was weak and frail, so both were possibilities.

Sunshine was also a barn cat transported to the city. She lived her last days on our front porch, moving from sun to shade as the mood struck her. She died peacefully, just as she had lived.

Mr Cat was a feral cat who insisted that we adopt him. He had an incurable mouth disease, but we managed to give him an extra 2-1/2 years as a very spoiled house kitty. He lost his battle on April 29, 2007.

All were loved and are missed.

Flo, the guinea pig, passed away 10/10/03. Her constant rabbit companion was Gizmo, shown here. Flo was completely convinced that she was a rabbit. Gizmo is 13 pounds, and has the run of the house when we're home; he chases the cat.

Jasper T. Rabbit was rescued after someone abandoned him after Easter. We adopted him from the Buckeye House Rabbit Society in 1997 and he lived with us and his companion, Ms. Prince (another rabbit rescue) until his death in July, 2003.

He enjoyed eating apples, chewing my slippers and my husband's socks, giving bunny kisses and snuggling with Ms. Prince."

Alive's daughter lost her little gray kitten, on December 30, 2003. Noggin was only 1 1/2 months old. He was loved and will be missed.

Her name was Patch, and she brought much happiness to me and my parents and everyone that knew her. Unfortunately, on 1/5/04, we had to have her put to sleep. She had been very sick for a while and had been diagnosed with cancer. Saying goodbye to her was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, and I miss her furry face so much already."

2003 and 2004 have been rough years for the Twainoholic family. We lost Pepper, our terrier mix, last August. (2003) She was around 14-15 years old, as far as we could tell. She was a pound rescue. About 32 days later, we lost Blitz, our Persian "baby" ...and pal to Jasmine (also a rescue). Jasmine cried for several days, all over the house, looking for Blitz after he was gone. Blitz died of lung cancer at the age of 13 (he would have been 14 the next month). It was heartbreaking to see that. Now Jasmine is with her pal,(April 2004) who is also laid to rest next to Pepper, Blitz, and another cat (Dingus) who passed away in 1994 from kidney failure.

This is my Scruffy. I lost him, at 15, in 1999. I am also including the poem I wrote for him.

LOSING YOUR BEST FRIEND

How can one little spirit fill a house with so much energy and love
that it leaves a vacuum when it is gone;
a silence that compresses the body, an emptiness so complete
that I feel as though my own walls will collapse inward.

No tapping of doggie toe nails,
No thumping of a doggie tail,
No happy dog sounds,
No cold wet nose,
No silky tufts of hair spiking the top of his little doggie head,
No soft fluffy ears to scratch,
No loving warm eyes to twinkle with mischief.

Just quiet.
Invasive, pervasive, empty quiet.

Scruffy Dog has left the building.

Howie lived with, and was loved by Keister and MrKeister. They lost him on July 10, 2004.

First, let me say that you have to click on the second picture. I've never seen a cat look happier! Pumpkin once lived with Annulla, but after a flood, he went to live at the retirement center with her mom. They lost Pumpkin,in April, 2004, at the age of 12. I know that he is missed

I adopted Bogie from the animal shelter about 2 weeks after moving away from home to Alaska. He was 2.5 years old and had been dumped for being too big. He was one of the most lovable (and protective) dogs I've ever met. As you can see, he was also very gentle and made a great kitten-sitter! When that kitten, Sebastian, got older, Bogie let him eat the dog bone crumbles right from under his chin. He was nearly 10 when he passed but I'll never forget him and I will always have a place in my heart for Golden retrievers.

Kitty was another adoptee. She was a spitfire! She gave love on her terms and let you know you had passed the test by drooling on you! =^..^=

Garfield and his sister Tutti (who remained with my mom) were adopted when I was in jr. high from a lady who had obviously never heard of spaying/neutering. She had at least 3 dozen cats of varying ages. I picked up every kitten in the bunch before insisting on the tiny orange fuzzball who seemed to insist on coming home with me. My mom added the calico since I couldn't be persuaded. Garfield was responsible from the start, comforting Tutti whenever she felt lonely. He made the move to Alaska at 9 years old and passed on at 15. He was so lovable and gentle. He would even share a plate of steamed rice/veggies with my cockatiel. And no glass of ice water was safe with him around. As you can see by my current pets, he's had a big influence. I'll probably always share my home with an orange tabby... or two. =)

I had Jakey for 2 years - so affectionate and the love of my life, and I lost him to a degenerative spinal progressive disease. It broke my heart, but I had to put him to sleep Feb 28th. As you can see he was beautiful

Maverick came to us at six months after being advertised as "Good Home Wanted for thorough bred German Shepherd". He was a lot of things, but a thorough bred German Shepherd wasn't one of them. He was the gentlest, loving, kindest dog you would ever meet. He was 140 lbs and couldn't understand why he couldn't sit on our lap or sleep on the beds like the cats. He was 15 when he passed on, and I am convinced we had a few more weeks with him thanks to bookcrossing vibes.

Icarus was a wonderful little bird who loved to stand on one leg and sing along with any appliance, especially the washing machine. He would ring the bells on his toy and talk to himself in his mirror. My home is painfully silent without his beautiful song, and very drab without his bright yellow plumage.

Rest in peace, my little singer. May your yellow wings carry you swiftly over Rainbow Bridge to bring your sweet song to all the animals there who wait for their beloved humans to find them. I will see you again.

Six years ago, I decided that my tabby, Lilith, needed a companion, and visited a local Animal Control facility (being a firm believer in saving strays). The minute I walked into the "kitten room", a little black kitten with bright eyes pulled himself up on the side of his cage, meowed at me, and captured my heart. His name was a no-brainer, from the old blues song that runs, "I've got a black cat bone, got my mojo, too." And he always was MY Mojo, never anyone else's. A shy thing, he hid from company, but snuggled on the couch near me, climbed in my lap while I worked at the computer, and spent just every night on my bed. Then, a few months ago, he became ill. He had surgery, but that gave us only a temporary respite. The vet found a growth in his abdomen, and it was only a matter of time. I worried so much about taking the final step and having him put to sleep, if only because he never liked going to the vet and always struggled over it. So, heartbreaking as it was to come home and find that he had gone to his final sleep curled on my rug, I was glad that he had chosen his own time and place. And I will always be "mojosmom".

In August, 2007, Thunder went into a decline, and the best efforts of the vet were unable to save her. She was a beautiful animal and will be greatly missed.