Linus's Blanket

I used to live in Mississippi for two years and volunteered at the animal shelter every day. I fell in love with a little black and white kitten and worked with him for three months. One day the shelter manager sent him home with my aunt for me - she snuck him out. He was sick, and they had put to sleep 45 kittens at that shelter that day. She told me if he was going to make it, it would be because of me. But he couldn't. He was too sick. So what did Sheila do? She sent me home with another kitten. This one was a little siamese mix, a tabby with white, brown, grey and black markings. He was completely wild and scared of hands - so I didn't put him down literally for three days until he got over that; I'm surprised I don't have scars all over me. Sheila told me that he would take care of me, so I named him Linus, like the peanuts character. I was his blue blankie. Linus was the worst kitten that ever existed. He would wake me up every single half hour for the first year, to chew on me. He managed to drag around our poor foot tall x-mas tree his first Christmas. He didn't understand the word no for the first year, so to challenge some of this gnawing energy, I ended up teaching him tricks. He now knows sit, beg, fetch, speak, and paw. He became an excellent dance partner. He became the greatest cat ever. He loved the Beatles. He loved repair men. There's so much of my life he filled and became a part of. Learning to live without him here has been like learning to live without a limb.

He also helped me survive losing my father and my step-daughter, and however many other family members. He has always been graceful and a little stoic, except when it came to food; then he became a chatter mouth.

Linus came into my life on September 23, 2000. He exited this form of existence on August 24th, 2009. It was my choice, but the hardest choice I've ever had to make. He was having complications from a disease known as tooth resorption. His kidneys and his heart started shutting down, and rather than selfishly keep him here, in pain, I let him go.

Now in tribute of him and to bring awareness to his disease I have written a book which is titled "Linus's Blanket". I'm looking for a literary agent, and I hope to make a difference, a difference I know that Linus would appreciate. I also brought a girl kitty home from the shelter. She was fixed, but Linus always had a soft spot for girls when we were fostering and I always wanted to bring one home that he could bond with. It's a start, and this way, my husband, and our cat Mandarin - Linus's brother - won't be as lonely.

“The Linus Song”: Lyrics and tune by Liz Black
Linus, I have loved you from the start.
Linus, I can’t help it -
You’ve abducted my heart
And no matter where I roam
You’re beside me I know!
I love you, Linus, and you love me.
(You love me.)
You knock over the Christmas Tree
And do tricks for treats,
Then you make me up at 3 am
To chew on my feet
But no matter where I roam
You’re beside me I know!
I love you, Linus, and you love me.
(You love me.)
Now that you are older
You perch on my shoulder
And when I’m feeling sickly
You take care of me even though I’m icky
But no matter where I roam
You’re beside me I know!
I love you Linus and you love me.
(You love me)
And now that you are gone
I had to change my song
But I love you, Linus, and you love me!
I love you
through all space and eternity.

It is obvious Linus was so very much loved. Beautiful words for a loyal little friend.

RIP sweet boy.

Linus

Thank you both. Linus is my angel and has always and continues to instill me with purpose. Linus was the definition of love and I try every day to make him proud of me, and to be more like him.

I don't know if your poem matches "Linus' song," but think of him when you hear this!

Linus' song

Actually mine is my own tune which I have choppily performed in different segments under the name of LadyHitchhiker on Youtube. I hope to someday get a video and do it real justice.

Beautiful tribute for a very special boy

Don't know if this will work, but I'm trying to post all 15 second segments of the Linus song...
YouTube- True first part of the Linus Song
YouTube- I Love you Linus and you Love me
YouTube- I Love You Linus and You Love Me Part 1 of 6
YouTube- I Love You Linus and You Love Me Part 2 of 6
YouTube- I Love You Linus and You Love Me Part 3 of 6
YouTube- I Love You Linus and You Love Me Part 2 of 6
YouTube- I Love You Linus and You Love Me Part 5 of 6
YouTube- I Love You Linus and You Love Me Part 6 of 6

And Linus just being Linus:
YouTube- Linus - greatest cat in the world part 2
YouTube- Linus - greatest cat in the world
YouTube- Linus's last day

Yay I think it's going to work!

What a lovely tribute to your little boy

I haven't got sound here, but i'll listen to it when i get home

________________________________________

rest in peace little one

RIP, Linus, knowing you were very much loved. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/jcatpics/cat smilies/PlayhappilyRB.jpg

There is not a day that goes by, let alone an hour that I do not think of him. Losing him has almost like having been amputated. To learn to live without a part of me. He visits me sometimes, and I realize he gave every ounce of goodness that he could give me to live with and I realize since he is a part of me, I don't have to miss him .. as much.

Originally Posted by farleyv

It is obvious Linus was so very much loved. Beautiful words for a loyal little friend.

RIP sweet boy.

Click to expand...

...beautiful homenage...

RIP to him...

Wednesday Linus would be 10 years old. As was usual, I would get him his shots for his birthday every year. We battled with his weight keeping it comfortable because he was so food-oriented, so I figured this was the most loving gift to give him was to get his shots. He loved the vet's office up until he started having mouth problems. I used to bring Linus with me when I lived to Mississippi to the vet's office, so it was not a big deal. And when I lived in an apartment that would only allow one cat, my husband and I boarded out Linus for 3 months at the vet's office up here until we could find another place that would allow us to have Linus there. So he thought he owned the place. The last few years we decided to make it easier on Mandarin we would take them both in for shots at the same time. This will be the first time in several years that Mandarin is getting his shots without Linus with him. Linus was such a giving cat that he gave all his toys - except his pink cotton ring - to Mandarin to play with, so getting toys wasn't an option as a birthday present.

Awwww ... I miss my angel boy.

Found this letter and had to send it out again... with revisions.

My Dearest Linus,

June 23rd it would be your birthday. You would be 10. I wanted so much to have more time with you, but that was not possible.

I talked to a guy few months ago, said that he thought cats were useless. You were never useless. Daddy knows that too. I talked to him and he agrees. Cats are NOT useless, but for me, especially you. You were the most useful creature in my life for many a year if not the whole extent thus far, and it's hard not having you with me. I really wish you could play with Majel. I know you two would get along. Mandarin misses you but is trying very hard to get along with his sister. But he never adjusted as well to change as you did. I don't think anyone ever did.

I just want you to be happy. Please be happy and safe wherever you are.

When mommy can come see you, she will. Until then, visit me in my sleep, and I will hold you and love you, just the way you are. I miss your sounds. I miss your smell. I miss the touch of that tri-colored fur. I miss everything about you. I miss how you always tried to make me happy, even when you were wild. You were the most selfless and loving cat I think I have ever met, and that is saying a lot for I have met some that could almost be tied with you.

I still can't eat shaved turkey or shaved ham, but anytime Mommy has alfredo she thinks of you. I want to share it with you, but I still think that part of you is always with me.

As Whitney Houston said, "And I will always love you."

I'm working on finding a literary agent. I know that might not make a lot of sense to you because that's really complicated Mommy stuff, but this will: Hopefully soon our book will be out there, and we can save other babies, and other mommies and daddies from pain.

I would never have knowingly put you through pain. I'm sorry you had to go through what you did. I cry inside and sometimes outside every time I think of what you had to go through. I am so sorry for what I did and what I failed to do and what I had no control over. Mommy's are supposed to be able to fix owies but sometimes Mommy's don't have all the right resources.

August 24th it will be a whole year since I let you slide from this existence. At times it feels an eternity, and other times I feel like I should walk through the door and see your face, and those piercing blue Paul Newman-esque eyes. Since you left, Mandarin likes to shake his collar to sound just like you in the wee hours of the morning. I cry sometimes, because sometimes in my half-asleep manner I think it's you. Then I realize it's not. That's why I cry. I love Mandarin. You know that. I love him especially because you and Daddy love him.

Now that you have been gone a while, Mandarin tries to hold my hand. He won't let me hold his hand back like you would, but maybe he will in time. Since you came and visited he has been a completely different cat. This is how I know you came to see me and that it was real. That and the fact that you visited Daddy too.

You were more than just a cat. You were my best and deepest friend. I wish you were here right now to touch my face and ask me to feel better. I love you now and always, through all space and all eternity. You have left your paw prints on my very being, and I am better for having known you.

And yes, a million times over, even if it were always the same ending, I would do this journey again with you. I would do anything for you.

All my love,
Mommy

That's a picture of you as a kitten. It's exceedingly rare since you never stayed still. Later on you grew to LOVE your picture being taken, I think just because it made me happy.

I heard this song this morning and thought of you sweet Linus. I miss you.

I will come to you in the silence,
I will lift you from all your fear.
You will hear my voice,
I claim you as my choice,
Be still and know I am here.

Do not be afraid, I am with you.
I have called you each by name.
Come and follow me
I will bring you home;
I love you and you are mine.

I am hope for all who are hopeless,
I am eyes for all who long to see.
In the shadows of the night,
I will be your light,
Come and rest in me.

Do not be afraid, I am with you.
I have called you each by name.
Come and follow me
I will bring you home;
I love you and you are mine.

I am strength for all the despairing,
Healing for the ones who dwell in shame
All the blind will see,
The lame will all run free,
And all will know my name.

Do not be afraid, I am with you.
I have called you each by name.
Come and follow me
I will bring you home;
I love you and you are mine.

I am the Word that leads all to freedom,
I am the peace the world cannot give.
I will call your name,
Embracing all your pain,
Stand up, now walk, and live!

Do not be afraid, I am with you.
I have called you each by name.
Come and follow me
I will bring you home;
I love you and you are mine.

It's my vision of the Rainbow Bridge and their message until we get there, and the message when they get there as well. "Do not be afraid, I am with you. I have called you each by name. Come and follow me; I will bring you home. I love you and you are mine."

Well one look into those deep eyes and I burst into tears. I loved him, too. I know you know that.

Linus.

There is no doubt in my mind, sweet Otto. He is our angel.

Thinking of sharing Linus's Blanket, the whole story on this site but not sure where to put it... obviously it's still a rough draft but maybe it will help to get the word out and someone else might know someone who could help me get published? I've hit a wall. No one writes back. No one's interested so far in me publishing and the story is so important...

Linus sounds like a special cat. We never forget them and we never stop loving and missing them. Hugs.