In case you missed reading it in Saturday’s post, we said goodbye to Sugarbutt last Wednesday.
Thank you all so much for your kind words – they help more than I can say. Many people asked how Tommy is doing, and to be honest Tommy seems to be doing just fine. I’ve been spending a lot of time with him, and his calm, sweet energy helps a lot.
Like I did with Miz Poo, I am going to edit the description of Sugarbutt from his permanent resident page, and add some more pictures, because I am once again having a hard time finding the words to describe that silly, wonderful boy.
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Sugarbutt
June 28, 2005 – July 8, 2015
Sugarbutt came to us in September of 2005, in a litter of four kittens that included his brother Tommy. His name was “Sad Eyes” at the time (I didn’t name this litter). The whole litter had giardia and coccidia, but in addition to that, poor Sugarbutt had what we thought was a slightly prolapsed rectum. He also had a horrific case of diarrhea, so bad that it “burned” the fur off the backs of his legs. Despite being so sick, he was sweet and playful and active. I had to bathe him at least twice a day and he hated it, but as soon as I let him loose in the foster room again, off he’d go to play.
At one point, his back end was so swollen and painful looking that I asked the shelter manager if there was anything I could do to make it less swollen. She said that she’d heard you could take a warm, damp cloth, dip it in sugar, hold it against the swollen part, and it would help the swelling go down. I tried that several times, and it seemed to help a little bit.
That’s how he got the name “Sugarbutt.”
When the rest of the litter (except Tommy, who was faking a leg injury) went off to Petsmart, Sugarbutt went with them. He was actually adopted pretty quickly, and then a few days later the guy who adopted him brought him back saying that he’d found blood on Sugarbutt’s back end. The shelter manager called me, and I went to pick him up at the vet (the vet said he had another round of Coccidia going on, o joy).
There was really no question that Sugarbutt was going anywhere; he and Tommy had a good time playing with each other, and I loved Sugarbutt so very very much (and had from the very first moment I saw that hot little mess of a kitten) that it was a given that he was staying with us.
I always said that if he were a human, Sugarbutt would be a pot-smoking surfer dude. (Not to pigeonhole surfers but, y’know, come on.) He was such a happy, happy boy. Sometimes he sat in the cat bed next to my computer and gave me the Love Eyes, reaching out with one paw to grab my hand and pull it to him so I’d pet him. (Sometimes he did this using his claws, which is why he was the one cat in the house with regularly trimmed claws.)
Sugarbutt had no use for any other cats except Tommy – every now and then I’d see Sugarbutt snuggled up to Tommy, but most of the time he was a loner. He liked to hang out on top of the fridge with his paws dangling over the side so that I had to pick them up and move them when I need to get into the freezer.
He loved loved LOVED feather teasers, especially Da Bird. If he wasn’t leaping up after the teaser himself, he was watching the other cats do so.
For the first few years of his life with us, Sugarbutt would come up on the bed with me in the middle of the night and knead on my arm while licking my neck. It wasn’t my favorite thing (cats have REALLY rough tongues, you know), but I didn’t mind it. He stopped doing that on his own soon after we moved into this house – he would have been about 2 years old – but every now and then, maybe a couple of times a year – I’d wake up in the middle of the night to find him kneading and licking. It was painful, but so very sweet. He always had a loud purr, but that was when he purred the loudest. He did it just a few months ago; I wish I’d known it would be the last time.
He loved catnip, especially when I brought it fresh from the raised flower bed. He’d roll around on it, rub his face against the leaves, and then eat some of it, purring the entire time.
He wasn’t a very talkative cat, but sometimes he’d walk around the house saying “Mehr? Mehr? Mehr?”, clearly asking a question we didn’t understand. He never held our lack of understanding against us, though.
Goodbye my sweet, happy ornj boy. I can’t imagine there’ll ever be another like you.
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If you’re of a mind to, donations can be made in Sugarbutt’s name to Challenger’s House.
They accept donations by mail (check or money order), by phone (Mastercard/VISA), or there’s a Paypal button at the bottom of the Petfinder page.
Challenger’s House
112 Tristian Rd.
Toney, AL 35773
Phone: 256-420-5995
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Previously
2014: No entry.
2013: They’re fond of the sunshine, is what I’m saying.
2012: Stompers and Jake size each other up.
2011: Ciara pretty much always looks appalled by whatever we’re doing.
2010: No entry.
2009: No entry.
2008: No entry.
2007: “I just don’t see what all the fuss is about, lady.”
2006: No entry.
2005: So, it is done.
What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful friend, Robyn. Sending hugs to you and Fred. Godspeed, Sugie, have a great time over the Rainbow Bridge, with Miz Poo, Corbie and other magnificent residents of the Rainbow Bridge Crooked Acres Department.
What a loving, touching portrait. Wonderful photos, too. Suggie really had it going on, didn’t he? And I’m so very glad that Tommy is being his expected excellent self.
What a sad and terrible loss. Sugarbutt was handsome and we all loved him so. Corbie, Miz Poo, and now him. Just so wrong! I love the picture of him in the purple bed with green tassels!
Sending you a million hugs!!
Oh, Robyn, I am so sorry. Suggie was my secret favorite since you adopted him — I remember that litter so vividly. Some money going to Challenger’s House in his honor later today, and virtual hugs going to you for opening your heart to all these guys.
Sweet Sugarbutt. What is it about orange kitties that they tend to be such happy cats? Suggie reminds me of my dear departed Oscar, another happy ornj boy. Have fun at the Bridge, Sugarbutt. You were a good kitty.
Beautiful tribute, Robyn! So, so sorry for your loss. He was a beautiful big, yellow boy!
I had forgotten how he acquired his name. Sweet Sugie. Hugs again.
I’m so sorry Robyn and Fred for the loss of your sweet Sugarbutt. He reminds me so much of my sweet Toby and I feel so sad for you.
Such a handsome boy…
Losing one of our fur babies is about the hardest thing. I am glad you had him… and that he had you.
xoxo
to you & Fred
I am so very sorry for your loss. You and Fred gave that sweet, silly boy a wonderful life full of love.
What a wonderful tribute to Sugarbutt <3
Hugs to you.
I’m so sorry for all the losses you’ve had lately. My best wishes and condolences to you all.
Aw, I never knew how he had gotten his name. That’s a wonderful story. I’m glad he had someone who cared for him so well and loved him so much.
Of all the Saturday’s to miss your blog I miss last weekend. I am so sorry and sad. I loved Suggie so very much. I always think of him as a kitten and the struggles he had and how he turned out to be such a wonderful boy. We now have a big orange boy and I understand the love they give. It is overwhelming. I hurt so much for you and Fred. Thank you for taking the time with Sugerbutt to make him well and for giving him a wonderful life and taking care of him when his time came. I am just so sorry.
I’m very sorry for your loss, most sincere condolences to you and the family
Oh Robyn and Fred! I am so sorry for your loss.
I’d never read his story before…and now love the guy even more…I am so sorry for his loss…the shot of him at the stump with brought tears to my eyes, he looked so very happy…thanks to you and Fred
The picture of him stretching is so beautiful, like he is jumping for joy. What a lovely soul he was! Again God bless you and Fred and the animal family
Oh Robyn. My heart breaks for you again. I barely survived losing my sweet Papa boy last year, and he was just one kitty boy. I cannot fathom the loss you and Fred have suffered this year. Makes me want to drive to Alabama and hug you. {love}
*with tears* You do know that we all loved him too, right? Thank you for sharing him with us over the years, and my heart aches for you at his loss
Robyn-I read Saturday’s post and sent my condolences then but when I read today’s post all I kept thinking about was this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ga9Bs4fzSY *It’s the song “I’ll never find another you” by the Seekers.
Music helps me with my feelings many times so I hope it helps you. <3
Robin, I’m so sorry for your loss!
Robyn and Fred I am so sorry for your loss. Sugarbutt was a gorgeous boy and a great hat model!. I am sending you many peaceful wishes and am thankful to have read all his stories through out the years. Mary
((hugs)) and purrs
Robyn, I think that updating the Permanent Residents is a part of your grieving process. You need to do it when you’re ready to post a final goodbye on the site.
I assumed that’s why you haven’t posted Corbie and Miss Poo for that reason, it’s still painful. You’ve truly loved these furry babies from their beginnings and made sure that they’re passing was comfortable and that they felt safe.
Maybe now is time to take a break between fosters and give yourself some time to heal from the recent losses.
Love seeing all the pictures, hate why I’m seeing all the pictures. Hugs
I’d also forgotten where “Sugar Butt” had come from, but I do remember when you said you were bringing him back from PetSmart feeling very sure you were bringing him to his forever home. That sweet boy WILL be missed. 🙁
Sweet Sugie. I’m so sorry, Robyn and Fred. My heart hurts for you, especially for losing him on top of Corbie and Miz Poo recently. We loved them all for their distinct personalities.
I loved that sweet boy from a distance…and I’m crying thinking both about what a wonderful life he had (when others might have written him off) and what a huge hole he’s left in your heart. May time dim the pain and enhance the wonderful memories of your time together with sweet surfer boy Sugarbutt. Love and hugs.
Such a sweet boy, he will be missed. It is never easy. So sad for you and Fred.
I love how Sugarbutt got his name! I read it before, but it’s so funny and cute that I’m glad you put it out there again so everyone knows the story. What a wonderful sweet kitty he was, an what a beautiful memorial this is. Hugs to you all.
I’m so sorry to hear about Sugarbutt and so soon after Ms. Poo. He was always one of my favorites and my heart aches for you. I’m thinking of you and Fred.
Best,
Lynn
So very sorry to hear about your loss, Robyn! I can imagine how you feel, having gone through the death of a pet ten times in my life. BTW, “mehr” means more in German, so he would probably want more pettin.
There’s a reason nothing rhymes with orange and that’s because nothing can compare to their easy-going nature and capacity to love. I had to let my Mae go on Wednesday too, and it broke my heart. But now she’s up there with her brother Gandalf, Suggie, Mz. Poo, Corbie and Guido from across the street.
I like to imagine them sitting/napping around outside in the sunshine, eating all the crap we told them they couldn’t because of one thing or another (gas/poops/the barfs/obesity), messing with the birds and the mice’s heads. And they have this never-ending catnip patch, and they’re all rolling in it and giggling at the clouds and calling each other “dude”…
Well, it makes me smile to imagine that. You have so many people who are sending you nothing but the best, so be good to yourselves, Robyn and Fred.
Brigitte and the Super-Friends Atticus and Malcolm in Toronto.
And they have this never-ending catnip patch, and they’re all rolling in it and giggling at the clouds and calling each other “dude”…
I love this, Brigitte — what a great visual!
I have no other words except that I am so sorry.
oh those sad eyes when he was a kitten! cats sure know how to get into our hearts…
Goodbye Sugarbutt
(you haven’t say where he’s burried)
I’m sure he had a great life licking you and all those rubs & hugs
A beautiful moving tribute to sweet SugarButt. I am so so sorry for you loss, I know you’ve been through way too much this year alone. What a wonderful life you have Sugarbutt and all that love shown through in your words of remembrance. They are never with us long enough, no matter if it’s months of years or decades. WE never get enough. Sending many comforting purrs and prayers to you.
I’m so sorry, there are just no words that are adequate. It’s the hardest when it seems to come out of nowhere. I’ve lost 2 that way. Healthy and then 48 hours later gone. He had an awesome life with you & Fred. Hugs from me & purrs from Emma & Gracie.