Saturday, December 13, 2008

In loving memory of Parker...

Parker’s health had been declining the past few months...the kids had to have an emergency powwow (unknown to us) while we were on our cruise to decide if it was time to put Parker down. They decided a trip to the vet to prolong his life till we got home would be in order, which gave us a little time after we got back to let him know how special and loved he was and to try to prepare for his death, which happened yesterday.
Parker showed up at our RV park back about 1995 and adopted the whole park as his domain, and all guests were just more folks to love him. He and friend Minnie were good ‘mousers’ for the park, until Parker decided his specialty was to hold down the daily paper on top of a picnic table. He was dubbed "Parker Paperweight," and Minnie was left to do mouse duty alone. This boy never met a stranger, and thought everyone loved him......and most folks did, since he was really a dog housed in cat fur. He welcomed Missy into our household, and instructed her well in how to love and behave in our family.

Friend Judy said it so well when I emailed that Parker had gone to kitty heaven:
Never has a cat had such adventures. To think he started out as just a working cat and worked his way up to fame, travel and the fortune of having you both love him so....why he was one rich cat.
I can't believe in a God that would put creatures in one place and people somewhere else, so while I know he is seeing his kitty friends and relatives, he is curled comfortably in Marge's lap and now they speak the same language so they can catch each other up on all the doin's.

I’m sure Parker has found not only Marj (Dick’s sister), but Pepper, Maggy and Callie, and is quickly rounding up more folks and critters to love and adore him. He is in Good Hands. We’ll always treasure the love and trust he shared with us. He enriched our lives, and we miss him terribly.

10 comments:

Sandee said...

I'm so sorry honey. Our babies are indeed very special parts of our lives. They are family. I'm glad your kids made the wise choice of letting you both say goodbye to Parker and to tell him how much you loved him.

Super big hug honey. :)

Debora Quigley said...

That's a long and rich life for a kitty. I have two 15 year old ones that are like the energizer bunnies, but I know someday they will join our beloved pets in the lower garden.

Pet missy extra, I am sure she misses him the most

Haley D. said...

Okay, now I'm crying thanks in part to Judy's beautiful words. Parker was one well-loved kitty.

Brian said...

My sentiments exactly Haley.... I'm sorry to hear he has passed, I'm glad he enriched ALL of our lives with his presence. He was King Cat and fit for the dutties with nicked ear, snaggle tooth (when he had them!), tire tread marked back and all! Sorry mom and dad. Give Missy and my girls hugs for me and I'll see you tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

I'll miss my special little boyfriend... Hugs, y'all...

Linda said...

So sorry to read about your loss of Parker but I'm sure that you have many happy memories of him and those will hold you over until you meet again.

It sounds like he had a wonderful life and brought you much joy.

Barb said...

'm so sorry to hear that Parker had to leave. It was wonderful that your kids waited until you got back. It is always so hard to say farewell to our furbabies.

Nanette said...

I'm sorry.I'm glad you had time to say goodbye.Beautiful post.
A big hug

Rick Rockhill said...

Sandy & Dick- My sympathies go to you as well. Its such a joy to have pets in our lives for as long as we do, and its so difficult when we need to say good bye to them.

Becky said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. That's really nice that you got to see him before he had to go. He seemed like a very sweet kitty, and he certainly had a full life!