Thursday, November 24, 2016

Remembering Angel Joey on his Gotcha Day



On Thanksgiving day in 2001, Joey showed up for breakfast at the feral cat shelter in our yard with an abscess on his shoulder.  He was being picked on by a bully cat down the street.  After several run ins with this bully, this was the last straw for me, so I set the porch door as a trap for Joey.  When I pulled on the piece of wood tied with a string, the door would shut leaving Joey inside.  He came in willingly for food of course, and I caught him easily.  Freaked out, he spent the day hiding behind the extra refrigerator on the porch. 

Minnie on top of Joeys kennel

My husband and I took turns trying to lure him from his hiding place while we cooked Thanksgiving dinner.  After several hours, Don finally scruffed him and put him in a kennel cage, his temporary home until he got acclimated to being inside.  Minnie, his litter mate, spent the day on or near his cage.  It was a Thanksgiving to remember - trying to catch a feral cat amidst the bustle of preparing a family dinner.

Joey in the back with Mamacita and Rosa


We had eleven wonderful years with Joey but lost him to cancer in 2012 a week after his last Thanksgiving/Gotcha Day celebration.  

I still miss him so very much - he was such a lover boy.  He loved to cuddle with me, especially at night while I read in bed. If there was a pile of cats in a warm spot, Joey was in the middle of it.  



He welcomed each and every new cat we took in with kindness and tolerance.  Even with an aloof cat like Clarence, a stray we took in and only had for 18 months, Joey would groom and sleep by him while the other cats ignored the newcomer. Joey was a pacifist.  I never saw him get rough with any of our cats.  If he was being picked on by a younger cat, he would just walk away.  

Joey and Ivy

He loved to eat and it showed with his big pendulous belly.  While he was still outdoors, one of our neighbors told me he thought the grey tabby was pregnanat.  I said with a smile " I don't think he is."

Joey's poochy belly

He was curious and slipped out one day through a section of the porch floor that was a bit rotted.  Don saw a grey tabby looking in the back door and said "That cat looks a lot like Joey".  I looked inside for Joey and realized that  it was him outside.  Panicking I herded all the cats off the porch so no more could slip out the small  crack in the floor.  It took several hours to lure Joey back inside.  If I went out he would run under the house into the crawlspace.  Fearing he would run away or get hurt overnight, I secured all the cats in our bedrooms and left the porch door ajar again in the same trap I first caught him in.  He fell for it and he was safe inside once more.


Joey loved the sun and would sit next to the window in his last days with us, leaning against the glass and soaking in the warmth.  My animal communicator told me that when I am relaxed at home and feel the warmth of the sun on me, know that Joey is with me in spirit then. 


We lost several other cats from his colony since he passed four years ago so I am sure he is once again surrounded by his litter mates and buddies at the Rainbow Bridge.  


Wishing you a happy Gotcha Day at the Bridge,Joey,  playing and relaxing in the sun with your cat pals. Thinking of you with love until we meet again dear boy.

As a young feral cat
Wishing all our friends a happy holiday weekend.
P.S. Stop by Brian's Home for his Thankful Thursday blog hop!

33 comments:

Summer said...

What a special guy Joey was! Purrs to you as you remember him.

Jason said...

He looks beautiful! I love the photo of him side-on looking out of the window x

Fuzzy Tales said...

Such a lovely post, Cheri, for a wonderful Being. Wishing Joey a happy Gotcha Day at the Bridge, and wishing you and Don a very happy Thanksgiving. Purrs and peace.

Eastside Cats said...

A beatiful tribute for Angel Joey; I am so sorry for ypur loss.

Hannah and Lucy said...

We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving - Joey sounds as though he was a wonderful boy.

Brian's Home Blog said...

That was such a wonderful post about Angel Joey, he sure was a special boy. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us!

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

What a beautiful thankful memorial tribute to sweet Joey.
Lovely memories.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Annabelle, Boo, Ping, Jinx & Angels Abby & Gracie

Laila and Angel Minchie said...

What a great remembrance!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you from all of us. We are thankful to have your friendship!

Anonymous said...

This is a beautiful celebration and tribute. *tears* I loved it, and I remembered ours who are waiting, too. Hugs.

Deziz World said...

Happy Gotchaday to Joey. And we wish ya'll a Happy and Blest Fanksgivin'. Sendin' purrayers and hugs.

Luv ya'

Dezi and Raena

Deb Barnes - Zee and Zoey said...

RIP sweet Joey - and a blessed Thanksgiving to you and yours from the Zee/Zoey gang

Cathy Keisha said...

Such joyful but yet sad memories. Our wish is that love be bountiful this Thanksgiving for you and your’s from La Condo Keisha.

Jans Funny Farm said...

Wonderful memories of Joey and Thanksgiving. He must have been quite a cat.

Katie and The Katz said...

Thanks for the memories of Joey - such a good boy. Thankful you lured him inside and he got to know the Inside world of loves and snuggles.

Happy Thanksgiving remembering Joey and all your sweet kitties.

-Katie Kitty Too.

Maggie said...

What a good Thanksgiving story. He had a wonderful life with you and it sounds like your lives were enriched by his love. Happy Thanksgiving!

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

He was a handsome boy. Happy Gotcha Day at the Bridge, Joey.

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

He looked like a beautiful boy who gave you a Thanksgiving you'll never forget {{{HUGS}}}

meowmeowmans said...

Joey was such a wonderful kitty. Purrs to you as you remember this special and gentle soul.

The Island Cats said...

What a handsome boy Joey was! Purrs to you as you remember him today. Happy Thanksgiving!

Ms. Phoebe said...

I always cry reading your posts- the compassion and love you have given these cats no one else cared about is wonderful. Not to mention picking up and moving and bringing a bunch with so they wouldn't be fending for themselves- you inspire and move me. Joey was a lucky boy and for sure will be waiting to greet you with love when your time comes to make your journey.

Anonymous said...

That's must have been a very special sign from heaven, when Joey stepped into your life :) Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving after all. Extra Soft Pawkisses as you remembered him on this special day <3 <3 <3

Anonymous said...

They leave scars on the heart...


Joanne

Cat and DOG Chat With Caren said...

sending you love and (((hugs))) What a special boy he was xoxo catchatwithcarenandcody

Marg said...

Good memories of Joey. He was a great cat. It is fun to remember all those times.

pilch92 said...

It sounds like Joey was very special and always loved. XO

The Dash Kitten Crew said...

Your Joey story is lovely and had us all teary. What a great cat and how missed he is.

Happy Thankful Thursday from our famliy to yours.

Three Chatty Cats said...

What a wonderful look back at life with Joey. Glad you were able to trap him twice! What a Thanksgiving to remember.

nancywestbooks said...

What a beautiful boy! I wish they could live forever! Hugs to you.

Timmy Tomcat said...

Joey sure was one great fellow. Our Rumpy is much the same grooming the new kitties and took Einstein right under paw when he came to live with us. Joey has a much better disposition over all though MOL
Purrs
Timmy

Mickey's Musings said...

Such a lovely tribute to Joey.
Purrs Georgia,Julie and JJ

Thank you for your kind thoughts for Treasure.
We miss him.

Unknown said...

He was such an handsome cat. You wrote such a beautiful post about him. Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving!
Lori

Mr Puddy said...

Hug & Love

I hope you & your fameowly have a fantastic time
✽ ❄ 🎄 Meowy Christmas 🎄 ❄ ✽
=^x^=

Mr Puddy said...

☆ HAPPY MEW YEAR ☆ 2017
I hope this year will bring all the best to you & fameowly
=^x^=

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