The Mighty Roo

Luka Grizzlefrizz was laid peacefully to rest on December 20th at the age of 13 years old. 

He had many names:  Rooka Roo, the Mighty Roo, Frizz, RooTah, FrizzFuzz, Salt N Peppah Frizz, oh you know how it goes.  He was essentially a rescue.  Matt and I had been living together for a short time just after graduating from college.  I had D'Artagnan, my applehead Siamese mix/partner in crime and began campaigning that we get him a buddy.

Matt had wanted a Russian Blue or similarly colored cat but at some point after visiting a few shelters and the Humane Society we turned to the news papers.  We found an ad and followed up.  There were actually two kittens, and to this day we wish we had grabbed Luka's brother as well.  They were small and covered in fleas.  Their mother was a mix and there were cats wandering here and there.  The kittens were being toted around by smallish kids and the woman wanted to make sure that Matt and I weren't taking the kitten for some "Fraternity or Sorority thing."  I'm not exactly sure what her fear was for this tiny kitten as she wasn't exactly caring properly for him anyway. 

Regardless, we scooped him up and absconded with this wee flea bitten kitten. 

He and D'artagnan got along like two peas in a pod.  D'Ar was pretty easy going and I think Luka was thankful for the peaceful environment.  Matt picked out his first name and I chose his middle name (from a children's book - Hooway for Wodney Wat.)  He was adopted in Florida, moved twice with us in Maryland, twice with us in Maine and finally ended up in Vermont.  He lived for 1 year and 10 days in Vermont and I'm pretty sure he loved it here too.  Along the way (and over the years,) we adopted Cricket Weenog  and so our furry children count grew to 3.  Later we added two guinea pigs (weeeeeek!)  Then we lost the guinea pigs and D'Artagnan.  But gained a Baxter Rufus.  Then I had to go liven things up by bringing two rambunctious boys into the house.  Through it all, Luka was a trooper.

He was a love.  A huge ball of fluffy love and my heart just breaks in a million pieces that I'll never get a head butt from him again.  But that is okay.  I have memories and pictures and I'll always carry him in my heart.

I am so thankful you are at peace, Luka, I'm so sorry for any discomfort you went through while mommy had to try to beat that nasty cancer.  But, you know, I had to try.  I would have never forgiven myself if I hadn't tried for those "extra 2 years" that chemo usually gives cats with small cell lymphoma.  So, it didn't give you any extra time . . . I'm not okay with it to be honest, but I'm okay with you being at peace. 

Luka GrizzleFrizz's first day.  Mommy insisted on a flea bath!

All dried off and relaxing on his first day home with us.

At first, D'Artagnan wasn't so sure about this lil' rascal . . .

But they became fast friends!

Friends forever.

Luka was the King of Inventive Sleeping!

Also the King of Hiding Places . . .

Although some places weren't so hidden . . .

And then there was a Cricket Weenog . . .

She was a bit of a scruffy urchin kitten . . .

But they became fast friends as well.

In his prime!

Sweetest pink nose I know . . .

Along came Baxter after we said goodbye to D'Artagnan . . .

He was a little stinker but Luka loved every minute!

And then I brought home something different!

But Luka loved him too . . .

He put up with all of my shenanigans . . .

I always imagined that Luka was the King, Cricket was the Queen and Baxter was the Jester . . . . (D'Artagnan was a Prince of course!)

He lived for 13 long years . . . but it didn't feel long enough.

His last day on this earth.  He was so very loved.