Our Lambeau

Just over 4 years ago we were on the search for a new kitty to add to our family. We had just had to put a senior kitty with lots of health issues down. There of course was a void. Even though we had 3 others we needed another one. We started to search. A cute orange and white kitty on a website of an area shelter caught Matt's eye. He called. That kitten and his sister were spoken for. But their sibling was still available. Matt really wanted another orange kitty. I didn't care what color the fur was. The lady at the shelter encouraged us to take a look at this kitten. He was a little black orphan kitten. We drove over to look at him and figured we most likely would bring him home.

As we were in the room getting to know him, this little guy walked around the room, "talking" and then fell into his water dish because he was not paying attention to where he was going. We laughed and said "we'll take him! He will fit right in with us!"

What a great decision that was. We brought this little guy home. It did not take him long to fit in. When we first brought him home, at night and when we were gone he was in a big dog kennel in our guest room. When I'd come home from work, I'd take care of the other pets and then go straight in to feed and cuddle this little kitten we named Lambeau. Apparently that became a habit for him. Even after he was able to be out on his own and not needing the kennel, almost every day after I'd feed everyone, within 10-20 minutes Lambeau would swagger up to me, meow and want to be held.

And when you held him he just melted into you. He liked to cuddle. Lambeau was very relaxed in our arms. And on the bed. And snuggled next to us on the couch, etc. We would joke about how tense he was--not! One of the most relaxed cats you ever met.

He did like to pounce the other kitties--much to their dismay. But soon a kitten fell from our front tree and made her way into our home and hearts. Dolly became a great playmate for Lambeau. They would chase each other through the house and down the stairs and back up again. They wrestled. And our dog Jordy loved to wrestle with him, too.

Lambeau developed a chronic sneeze. His one nostril was always stuffed up. He kinda sounded like Darth Vader when he was near. And we would always discover Lambeau snot on stuff.

He was just a big puma full of love and character. When we would play Bananagrams at the table after supper he wanted to join in. When he was hungry he would be all affectionate and try and get you to follow him to the food bin. He loved watching "kitty tv" (aka watching the birds outside the window.) And he was a good hunter. Once he brought us a mouse from the basement--still alive. And once he brought us a small frog of some sort from the basement as well. And we were always saying things like "don't eat the bag", "don't eat the necklace," "don't lick the soap..."

If you were having a bad day, just a couple minutes of snuggles from him helped. He put a smile on my face.

Recently I came home and gave food to the pets. He didn't come right away. Not terribly surprising. Some days one of the pets would be late to the food dishes because they didn't realize I was home. So not much was thought of it. And then after about 20 minutes I realized he did not swagger up to me (he didn't walk--he swaggered) like he usually did. I began looking for him. I found him. Our big puma had died. Vet things possibly blood clot, aneurysm or something that took him suddenly from us. Our hearts just broke.

I know it is not the same as loosing a person. I have lost many a loved one over the years--either expected because of a long illness or suddenly. It is a huge heartache to go through that. But I think because we couldn't have kids, these pets that we have become our furry kids. We spend a lot of time with them and are the caregivers for them. They each have their own personality. And Lambeau certainly did have lots of that! We always said the other family who adopted his siblings may have gotten the more colorful kitties but we got the one with all of the personality and character!

Lambeau, you are missed. We are so thankful for the 4 years we had you. The Lord certainly blessed us with you! You were truly a one of a kind cat. Fifteen pounds of character and love. You made us smile. I have plenty of teeth marks in my Crocs to remind me of you. And we keep discovering Lambeau snot so your memory will not be soon forgotten. You were loved, Mr. Lambeau. Thank you for being such a great cat.