11-29-23 Dewey

Posted on by Robyn

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Dewey
March 1, 2016 – November 28, 2023.

I’m so sorry to tell you that yesterday morning we said goodbye to Dewey. He was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure over a year ago. In the time since, he had been doing great until late last week. Monday afternoon we knew it was time to make the decision, and so we did.

He went peacefully as we held him and told him what a sweet, wonderful boy he was, and how very much we’d miss him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dewey came to us in late 2016 as a foster; he was then named Dustin (we renamed him Dewey when we made him a permanent resident). He had been rescued from an industrial park, where he was living with three other cats (we assume they were dumped there.) He was a very timid cat, and Susan at Challenger’s House (where I was fostering at the time) asked if Fred would work with him to make him less fearful.

He was extremely timid, but with some work and attention and a lot of love, he came around and decided that Fred was okay.

It took him longer to decide that I was okay too, but the time came when I would wake in the middle of the night to find him sleeping with me, and it felt like a gift.

He liked his people (eventually!), but he was immediately a fan of the other cats. He made friends with Frankie (who showed up on our doorstep around the time we got Dewey to foster) and Dennis and Stefan and of course Jake.


Dewey and Frankie.


Dennis and Dewey.


Dewey and Jake.


Dewey and Stefan.


Stefan and Dewey.


Dewey (middle of the bed) surrounded by Jake, Kara, Khal and Stefan.

After we’d been fostering him for about a month, we decided that he needed to be a permanent resident – he was too fearful of other people to spend time at Petsmart, he got along great with the other cats… and we just liked him. He was such a gentle, sweet boy.

No one could throw themselves into a nap the way Dewey could – I swear in his first few years with us I’d have to stop and stare at him to be sure he was breathing, he’d sleep so deeply. Sometimes I’d pet him, just so he’d wake up, blink at me, chirp, and then roll over and drop off to sleep again.

Things he loved: watching the chickens out the window when we lived at Crooked Acres. Watching the birds out the window and chattering at them. The feather teaser (it scared him at first, but when he realized how much fun it could be, the boy would FLY.)

Churu. Good lord, that boy loved his Churu. In fact, I think it was his reaction to the very first tube of Churu I brought into the house that made me realize the other cats (and fosters) might like to give it a try.

He loved being outside – getting to see the birds and the chipmunks and squirrels without a window between them was his favorite thing. Though once I saw a chipmunk walk RIGHT past him as he watched, and he didn’t do a thing. So he was perhaps not the best hunter in the world. (Though Khal did teach him how to carry a buzzing Cicada around in his mouth.)

I loved to watch him stretch out on the deck, enjoying the sunshine, and exposing that gorgeous caramel-colored tummy to the world.

A few years ago, Dewey made it very clear to me that he didn’t want me to take his picture. It took me a while to figure out the message he was sending, but when he started actively avoiding me whenever I had a camera (or my phone, ready to take pictures) in my hand, it clicked. I promised him that I would never take another picture of him, and I kept that promise to the very end. I think he appreciated how hard it was for me not to take pictures of his gorgeous face. The one above with his Ears of Annoyance was one of the last ones I took… and I feel like it was a fitting last shot.

He loved the Christmas lights. In my memory are so many ADORABLE pictures of him lying under the Christmas tree, looking up at the lights. I got our Christmas decorations put up on Saturday, and I am so glad that he got to see them once again.

I knew Dewey wouldn’t be with us forever – I’ve been waiting for this particular shoe to drop since his diagnosis last year. But also Fred was willing to deal with everything Dewey/vet related, so I was able to bury my head in the sand and pretend he was fine. So it’s more of a shock to me than it should be. I knew he wouldn’t be here forever… but somehow I didn’t think he would leave us so soon. It’s too soon.

(It’s always too soon.)

Goodbye, you dear, darling boy. I know along with Stefan, you had so many friends waiting for you. Tell Stefan and Archie and Frankie and Jake and… all of them. Tell them all we miss them so much. We miss you so much.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Previously
2022: Saul has a concern, and his concern is that you’re not going to pay him for his legal services.
2021: Alfie and Christopher went galumphing through the kitten room, and it put the Elements kittens on high alert.
2020: This picture cracks me up because Tater Tot’s ear is positioned just right so that it looks like Hush Puppy is a unicorn.
2019: That little sneer on Gabrielle’s face is killing me.
2018: Cruise is all “We gonna nap, or we gonna nap?”
2017: Crooked Acres Wednesday.
2016: Iva says “C’mere, lady. I been savin’ a knuckle sammich for you.”
2015: No entry.
2014: “I note that she laffed and laffed while she was saying how sorry she was, so I am skeptical of her sorrow.”
2013: “Walk away, lady. You don’t see nothin’.”
2012: And then Fred showed me the house on Google Earth, and I grabbed a screenshot and labelled everything, and… here you go!
2011: The Many Faces of Chuckles.
2010: It was horrifying, yet so fascinating that I couldn’t look away.
2009: Sometimes I call him “Brick Brickman” – that’s the name he’ll use when he grows up to be a news anchor.
2008: No entry.
2007: TOO MANY CATS UP IN THIS HOUSE.
2006: No entry.
2005: No entry.

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51 thoughts on “11-29-23 Dewey”

  1. Robyn and Fred, I’m so sorry for your loss of your darling Dewey. He was so lucky to have you as his people looking after him for all those years. My deepest sympathy to you and the permanent residents.

  3. Your tributes are always so beautiful and heartfelt they bring tears to my eyes and I’ve never met any of your cats in person. I’m so so sorry for your loss. Dewey was a gorgeous sweet boy and I know he will be sorely missed.

  5. I’m so sorry that the only way to see a flood of adorable Dewey pics was due to him leaving us. I had to go through them several times just to savor and enjoy them.

    Fly free, sweetheart! You gave us great joy and you were sooo adorable.

    My condolenses to you and Fred. We know you loved him well and so did we, even from afar.

  8. Blessings to you for your care of Dewey and all the cats that come to you. You radiate the love that cats give to us back out into the world.

  9. Oh Dewey…fly high sweet boy! We missed seeing you daily, but still loved you sight unseen. I know you had a joyous reunion with all the other L&H kitties at the Rainbow Bridge!

    Big hugs Robyn and Fred…. ❤️

  10. Robyn and Fred, I am so very sorry about the loss of Dewey. Your tribute brought tears to my eyes and an ache to my heart for you both. I always wondered what the story was behind him being camera shy and now I know. He was a beautiful boy.
    Please take comfort from knowing that you gave him a lot of love and a wonderful life. Dewey knew that and now he’s with his cat pals in heaven. Hugs to you both.

  11. So hard to lose our fur babies!! So hard!! I really feel for and with you – it’s devastating for me every time I have to say goodbye, just as I know it is for you. My heart bleeds every time. We have to keep finding the ones we can help and loving them forever. Blessings on you for what you do.

  12. It never gets any easier, does it? Dewey was a beautiful boy and your tribute had me in tears. No matter how much time we have with them, it is never enough.

  13. I cried many tears for your dear sweet Dewey and all the other cats that you (Robyn and Fred) and I have lost. They come into our lives, steal all the love and give back so much. Rest in peace, Dewey.

  14. Oh, Dewey. I’m sorry for you and Fred, and glad that Dewey got to spend his time here with the two of you and the rest of your cats.

  15. I’m so sorry for your loss. I don’t think that there was a luckier cat than Dewy. He was given so much love and he knew it. My God heal you broken hearts.

  16. Such a loving and heartfelt tribute to a beautiful boy. It’s always, always too soon. Rest in sunshine, Dewey.

  18. Sympathy and love to all in your household as you adjust to this latest change. You’ve had a lot of loss this year, and even one loss is never easy. My heart goes out to you all – may you find comfort and peace together, and I know when the time is right a new little feline light will appear to help ease the hurt.

  20. I’m so sorry to hear of your loss of your sweet Dewey. It never gets any easier but you have so many lovely memories, it seems. Your tribute to him brought tears trickling down my cheeks-so many losses this year for you and Fred, but also so many little ones you have loved and cared for so beautifully. Will be thinking of you both.

  21. I’m so sorry, Robyn and Fred. Thank you for sharing your beautiful boy with us over the years. We will be thinking of you both.

  22. Oh I’m so sorry you had to say goodbye to Dewey. Your beautiful tribute brought tears to my eyes. I think the more we love them the harder it is to say goodbye, and it’s never easy, no matter how “prepared” we are for it. I hope you take comfort knowing he was living his best life once he found his way to you and Fred!

  23. Any time you posted a picture of Dewey’s gorgeous belleh was always such a treat. What a beautiful, sweet kitty. Your tributes always make me cry, but underneath that is the knowledge that it would be utterly impossible for any of the cats in your home to be more loved, and that each one has the most splendid life. Much love to you, Fred, and all the other permanent residents.

  26. Aw, I am so sorry for your loss. I loved reading all about Dewey. He was such a sweet and beautiful boy, and I love his tawny belly. I will be thinking of you, Fred, and your other kitties.

  27. Oh I am so very sorry for your loss. Losing our babies is so hard and making those types of decisions sometimes makes it even harder. Thank you for sharing his story and the pictures, they are wonderful. It’s amazing how something so simple as them laying near you or letting you pet them seems like such an accomplishment when they are so timid and scared. I have a 1 year old that had a very rough start to life that every day seems to make a little more progress in trusting humans. Love your tribute and again so sorry for your loss.

  28. Your tribute to Dewey was so heartfelt and moving it brought a tear to my eye. Im so sorry for your loss its heartbreaking when we say goodbye to our beloved fur babies. Thank you for giving Dewey and all your residents a life filled with love and care and churu!
    Sending love to you both xxx

  29. So very sorry to hear this. Dewey was such a beautiful and precious boy. We will miss seeing the old-pictures-because-he-doesn’t-want-new-ones-taken. Sending much sympathy your way.

  30. I am so sorry to hear about Dewey.

    He had a Greta Garbo vibe, he “Vanted to be Veft Alone” but he was so pretty and photogenic.

    Such a sweet, sweet boy. You and Fred gave him a wonderful life and I love how you recognized that he was a permanent resident and spared him the trauma of Petsmart when he was already home.

  31. Goodness, what a wonderful tribute! I remember when you got him, and yes, it’s always too soon. My condolences to you and Fred.

    And it brings sweet tears to my eyes when I think about how good you were about respecting his photo boundary. RIP beautiful boy!

  32. It is Always to soon. I am very sorry that he is gone. He had become legend in the fans of Love & Hisses. What a dear boy!!!!!

  33. Robyn and Fred, I’m so, so sorry! Dewey was such a sweet boy — I was so happy when you decided to adopt him, and I’m so glad he had you to love him for all these years.

  36. You always write the loveliest tributes for your cats! I’m so sorry you guys lost beautiful Dewey. He had the best home in the world!

  37. Such heart break. It always hurts, but even more with one so young. My deepest sympathy to you and Fred.

  38. Robyn and Fred:
    I am so sorry for your loss. Dewey had a wonderful life with you guys. I am sorry he left you too soon.

  40. Aww ((hugs)) to you and Fred and the other permanents. He will join the others across the bridge. He was so handsome it’s a shame he didn’t let you take more pictures. Goodbye sweet Dewey!

  43. Love hurts.
    But is also a gift.
    You and Fred loved him dearly As did his brothers & sisters.
    And Dewey loved you. All of you. His gift of loving you was a blessing. And he had the bestest life possible.
    What beautiful marvelous gifts you gave each other.
    xo
    Karen

  45. I am so terribly sorry. Offering ever so many hugs. Sweet, beautiful Dewey was absolutely loved, in the best possible home he could have had, and he knew it.

  46. I’m so sorry to hear about Dewey’s passing. He was such a sweet, beautiful kitty. I recall the many pictures of him where you showed us his loveliness, and then when you let us know how he did not want his picture taken, which you respected. I’m glad that you got the ones you did get. They never stay with us long enough.

  48. So sorry, he was such a lovely boy, and you gave him a fantastic life. It’s always so heart-wrenching I know, I’m sending comforting vibes and hoping you both can be kind to yourselves and take time to grieve. This post was a sweet, warming tribute. Hugs.

  50. So sorry that it was time to say goodbye to Dewey. He was so well-loved and cared for. It never does get any easier. You write the most beautiful tributes!
    Take care, and hugs over the miles.

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