Whistle August 28, 2005-August 21, 2011

Whistle, a ginger cat, died today at home. He was born the day before Hurricane Katrina hit the Mississippi Gulf Coast. His mother went into premature labor and delivered her kittens in an abandoned house in the northern part of Hancock County. Whistle and his litter mate, Fish, were rescued and weaned by a kind woman. In October of 2005, Whistle and Fish went to live with a family who needed them. There, the kittens grew up with a rescue dog, Sister. Later, they were joined by Dubby, a homeless kitten.

Whistle was known for his good humor and loud purring. He was a content cat. He made his dog, Sister, his nanny and loved her. He welcomed Dubby by grooming the kitten and taking long naps curled up with him. He kept a close eye on his brother Fish and they were not separated for even a day until Fish went into the Louisiana Veterinary Hospital for a leg operation. When Fish returned, Whistle groomed all of the hospital smell and homesickness off.

Whistle loved his birthday. For his first five years, he announced his August birthday as early as December to remind his friends and blog readers of the celebration. He received gifts from all over the country.

He enjoyed eating cat cookies. He preferred Greenies Cat Treats until he discovered health food cat cookies. He believed the health food cat cookies meant he could eat several human hand fulls each day. He learned to eat from his human's hand as a kitten then began to stand on his hind legs to grab a cat cookie.

Of the memories Whistle leaves to those who loved him, we recall how when picked up, Whistle leaned against us and purred. He was a big cat of 14 lbs. and his body warmth and attention healed.

His story is told on this blog. His subscriptions to The New Yorker and Ophrah Magazines will be cancelled. His red collar will be placed in a shadow box. His memory is precious to his brothers, his dog and his people.

Whistle is survived by his littermate, Fish, his brother Dubby and his dog Annie, and his humans.

He will be buried on August 22, 2011 near his uncle, the Great Cat Rusty in the kitchen yard close to the birdfeeder.

We thank God for every memory of Whistle the Cat.

Dear World,
Life gets better and better. First, I know where She keeps the Cat Cookies! Second, We have a new bag of Cat Cookies! After I say "third", I'm stopping with the counting thing because it's awkward and confuses me. Third, I'm making great grades at Cat Film School!
I'm going on a school field trip to see "Puss 'n Boots" starring the ginger cat from "Shrek". Can't wait! We'll have water bowls and Cat Cookies in the theater!

Later Tater,
Whistle (this is MY blog but some brother named Fish changed the pass code then I got on secret double probation because of a total misunderstanding...)

My Birthday: Whistle

Tomorrow I will be 5 years old. I was born in an empty house the night before Katrina blew through my town. My Mom went into labor with me and my litter-mates as the barometric pressure rose. We all came into a new world of downed trees, no power and a ruined homes.
It's best to be a kitten when hurricanes come. We were safe and dry, left alone in a house with food and water for our Mom and a comfortable place for us to snuggle with her. My eyes weren't open yet so I couldn't see the sky or even outdoors. I didn't know our Mom kept us close because she was anxious. I was warm and dry and ready to nurse.
Several weeks later, my owner brought me to the family I have now. I don't remember much about my first owner but she must have loved us because our family now is great.
I've learned so much in five years.
*a full food bowl inspires confidence
*having my litter-mate and other brother by a different mother close-by makes me happy
*if you love a dog like my dog Sister, you can learn to love a new dog
*having friends everywhere is fun and they don't eat your cat cookies
*some people think my magazine subscriptions are odd. I'm taking Oprah's mag now. My New Yorker sub ended.
*cat cookies are great 24/7
*sleeping with my people is good
*if you use your litter box exclusively you get in less trouble
*Cat University is more fun than Cat School
*being a Ginger Cat means I am beautiful
*nose freckles are admired greatly

I'm sure there is more. I can't think beyond the canned cat food I'm getting tomorrow at my Birthday Bash.

Thanks for you support of my bloggage,

Whistle, this is my blog

Special Message from An Important Cat

Only 52 days until my fifth birthday.


Love,
Whistle This is my blog and I approve this message.

Dubby Goes to the Movies: A Review of Twilight Eclipse

More wuff in this movie. I like it.

Dubby,
Movie Reviewer for this Blog

Awards Day at Cat School

Whistle here.

Before I report on Awards Day, I need to tell you that our dog, Sister, got really sick and went away. We won't get her sickness and she loves us very much but she is not here anymore. We are supposed to think about her and remember her but she isn't here which is the point I'm trying to make and we can't do anything about it. She is the best dog Nanny, ever. My cat kibbles taste all wrong and so do my brother, Fish's cat kibbles. Dubby walks around meowing. At all the wrong times. We are doing the best we can and are putting one paw in front of the other.

About Awards Day:

Awards Won by Fish
Mr. Class President
Best Reader of Books on Camping
Most Likely to Go on Great Adventures

Awards Won by Me, Whistle (this is MY blog)
Class Favorite
Best at Being Fed Cat Cookies by Hand
Top Blogger for Class
The Happy Cat Award, 2010

Awards Won by Dubby
Most Improved at Being Fed Cat Cookies by Hand
Most Eager to Practice Being Fed Cat Cookies
Mr. Snuggle Bunny, 2010
The Singletary Buzzard Award for Original Thought in Philosophy

This Fall, Fish and I will be in the Upper School at Cat School.

Love from Whistle

From Dubby

If you see my dog, Sister, tell her to come home.
She left on Saturday and I can't find her.
I need to tell her something and give her a head bunt.

Love from your Dubby