My darling JoJo,

I remember the first time we met. I'd gone to the shelter to see the kitties, I wasn't really looking for another kitty as I'd just lost Oreo and my heart was too fragile. I turned to leave and I heard this "raah" from behind me. I saw this silver paw sticking out and this beautiful silver kitty sitting behind the door.

"well, hello" I said

"raah" you replied

"you are just so cute, I have to bring you home with me" I said.

"raah" you replied.

2 hours later I brought you home and you'd already captured my heart. You were just what I needed and I loved you from the minute we met.


You've been with me for over 10 years and during that time you've been with me through so much. The loss of Nana, then Pa, Patches, Mema, Rambo and M&M, just 3 weeks ago. I knew I could always count on you to be there for me, to listen and give me a simple "raah" as an answer. you always knew the right thing to say.


I remember thinking how handsome and fluffy you were the day I adopted you. you were only 4 then, a sweet little silver furball who loved to follow me around when I got home from work and tell me all about your day. You loved mornings in our house on Gardiner Street, when the sun hit the living room windows and you loved chasing the bird shadows. You loved open windows, the cool air against your fur, and sitting in the window doing the neighborhood watch.


You were a great big brother to Patches. Once you let her out from under the bed, that is! you two had so much fun. you loved chasing her around and laying on the coffee table and pitching candy from the candy dish at her as she went by. She didn't mind because she loved you. Everyone who met you loved you, you just had that special charm!


You were also a great big brother to M&M, Eboney and Rocky and a great little brother to Rambo. You and Rambo barely had a year together, but you loved him and looked up to him and learned from him. I loved it when you rolled around on the carpet trying to get M&M's attention.. you chasing Eboney around the house and then he chased you back til you'd had enough and ran to the top of the couch for safety and you tolerated Rocky, although by the time he came here you were already sick. He seemed intrigued with you.


You loved your family, especially me and I love you just as much. I was your person from the very first day and you were mine.


If I could have had one wish, it would have been for you to live forever. The thought of losing you was more than I could ever bear, but I knew one day the day would come that we would have to part and that day was today. you'd been sick for awhile and you couldn't hide your pain from me anymore and I couldn't bear to watch you suffer. Over the past 10 years you've given me so much and rarely asked for anything in return except for love, which you got plenty of. I love you too much to let you suffer, so I made a hard decision. I stayed with you til the very end and I wouldn't have had it any other way. I love you so so much and my heart and life is very empty right now. Our memories will live in our hearts forever sweet kitty, I love you JoJo. I love you so much.


all my love,

Mommy




~The Gift~


Eyes fearful, pawns worn;

A sorrowful sight - so forlorn.


love, they said would be the cure

for the suffering you had endured


So our family grew that day.

We brought you home.

With us you'd stay


Slowly, gently the bond it grew

faithful, loyal, loving, true


looking back its so unclear

how we got by without you here


trusted companion, devoted friend

you give and give

it never ends


they said we were a gift to you

but now we know who rescued who


BM Berry

The Silhouette
(Terri Onorato)

The silhouette stands boldly
at the end of the hallway
ears erect, eyes like jewels
the tail, it softly sways.

This wouldn't be the first time
I've seen her stand nearby
her image clear as crystal
from the corner of my eye.

Her visits I don't share with some
who think I've went over and beyond
the grieving time they deem I need,
they say I should move on.

I sometimes pity people who
have never felt just cause
to share the bond between two souls,
one with hands and one with paws.

The silhouette reminds me
what the others say is wrong
for as long as breath goes through me
there exists our mighty bond.

When the Keeper calls me home
and the Bridge gates open wide
our bond will deepen ten fold
as we walk through side by side.

You see, I am the lucky one
as I've been truly blessed
for someday we'll walk together
as eternal silhouettes.

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M&M April 1993-August 31 2006


She came to us on a warm summer day in 1993 and captured our hearts from the moment she walked in the door. She was a little bundle of striped fur and energy, dressed in a little red collar. She loved to play and climb the curtains, luckily she grew out of that habit as she got older. Most of all she loved her little white kitty. She made biscuits on her kitty, mostly as a kitten, but once in awhile, even in recent months, she'd make biscuits on her. I think her kitty reminded her of her mommy and she loved her so much.

She loved the outside world, she was the Queen of the Neighbhorhood and everyone knew it. She made the rounds daily, checking her territory early each morning, making sure it was safe for the rest of us. She did a wonderful job too. She also loved to lay in the warm summer sun, unlike the rest of us, she loved the heat. and she loved to hunt, she had the patience of a saint when it came to hunting. She could sit and watch the same mouse hole for hours, or a bird nest. She had the talent of being able to catch a bird in mid-air, she was so good at that! I have a picture somewhere of her first mouse, she was so proud of it!

She was a sweet, sweet kitty with a wonderful personality. She loved her mommy best and always slept with her (and her kitty) when she was in. She had beautiful stripes, cute white paws and a strong sense of pride and independance.

Rest in peace sweet M&M, we love you so much and we'll miss you forever.