Upside Down Cats

I have been searching for the road back to blogging after my last post which was a tribute to our wonderful AbbeyCat who passed away last week leaving a hole in my heart.

Well, I want to thank Courtney T. who hails from our neighbor to the north, Montreal, Canada, for providing the perfect absurdity to follow up such an emotional outpouring.

Courtney, you are better than an icy cold lemon sorbet - ahh...refreshing!

Continue reading "A Palate Cleanser" »

...that looks exactly like this.



Our dear wonderful kitty friend Abbey left this world Monday night. I miss her more than I can express. The thought of never enjoying a day in the company of her sweetness again makes my heart ache.

She left us rather suddenly after just a few days of lethargy. I tried all I could to help her regain her strength; giving her water from a medicine dropper and food from my pinky. I held her tiny weak body next to mine hoping to impart health through the love I hoped she'd absorb from me. In the end, she let her daddy know it was time to get her to a place where she could leave us, far away from our happy and lively memories of her. The moment we walked into the emergency vet's office, she began to literally take her dying breaths.

I have never felt so lonely in my own home. I have never felt so alone in my own skin. To say Abbey is part of me is not an overstatement nor an exaggeration. She transcended the 'normal' boundary between species (or maybe I did) to make us friends by any definition that exists. Our relationship was based on our personal brand of communication. I know 'pet people' know what I mean...communication with a cherished pet is something altogether different than with a cherished human. I believe it has to do with the process of bridging the language barrier. Since we don't share a verbal language, we have to rely on other types of communication, which in turn creates and fosters a deep and unique relationship. Other species possess different sensibilities, too, which put them in tune with different aspects of our personalities. In short, only a cat knows you like a cat can know you - and to be known by a cat is a beautiful feeling.

I am privileged to have been known and adored by a very special cat. Abbey filled my life with companionship and laughter. She warmed our home with her steadfast friendship and gentle nature. We shared our many moods and rhythms with her. In turn, she made us privy to the exquisite bliss to be found in a belly rub and a snuggle on a warm blanket.

I know that in time the hole will be filled with cherished memories of Abbey from the fifteen years she spent nuzzled in our lives and hearts. Eventually I will look at a picture of her basking upside down in her favorite sunny spot or remember how she loved to sit in her "cubby" in our headboard and a smile will cross my face. She will be forever my Original Upside Down Cat in my header and heart. For now, though, the wound is raw and the sting is sharp. My best kitty friend and I will make no new memories.

Abbey, not a day went by that I didn't thank my lucky stars for you. I only hope that we gave you the best life possible, filled with abundant love, deep devotion and all the chicken your heart desired. You deserved that and more, Sweet Poopy Girl.

Abbey Road Tilbrook Blitstein

May 8, 1994 - June 15, 2009

^ ^ ^ ^ ^
This side up.



Abbey - as comfy as a kitty can get.

It was recently brought to my attention by Jer at upsidedowndogs.com that there weren't enough photos of upside down cats here on upsidedowncats.com. Accepting the comment as a challenge, real or imagined, I scoured through photos today and discovered this gem of our dear Penny.

Could she look more comfy? Absolute bliss...



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personally, I believe there to be an abundance of cats "assuming the position" to see here. Just click on the "cat-a-gory" called "upside down" to view a plethora of upside down feline friends!

I've always considered my blog to be more conceptual than literal. I embrace the upside down cat as a symbol of the peace and contentment I seek in my own life.

Not that the sight of an upside down cat doesn't in and of itself bring a certain sense of contentment...

Voilà! Un chat très confortable.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cooper has captured how I would like to spend the weekend... I guess he had a long week too!

This begs the question, Have I ever been that comfortable? Well, at least I have something to aspire to!

I'm not always a Halloween Grinch...

Some years I've even been creative!

Behold my original creation...WitchCat!
 





















And of course Upside Down WitchCat.























I'm just not feeling it this year.

Happy Halloween to all you who can get into the "spirit" of the day!

Disclaimer: This site is NOT affiliated with Upside Down Dogs!

This site is dedicated to showcasing upside down cats, in addition to the many other aspects of my life.

There really are upside down cats here. Have a look around and you'll find them.



 

  

 

 

 

The reason for this post is recent anomalous statistics here at Upside Down CATS. Since last Wednesday, October 15th, my visitor count has been incredible! After considerable research as to why my number of visitors suddenly increased tenfold, my tenacious husband, Scott discovered the reason.

Was it because hundreds of savvy folks have finally recognized me for the insightful, clever and enjoyable writer I am?

No.

Was it because I've recently become a celebrity so everyone suddenly cares about what I have to say?

Uh, No.

Was it because the title of my blog promised provocative content?

Well, kind of.

It seems on that fateful date of October 15th a new site called Upside Down Dogs was born. They provide photos of, well, dogs...upside down.

Apparently many, many, many people made the leap that, if there was an Upside Down Dogs showing dogs of the upside down persuasion, there must be a similar site for their feline counterparts, and that site must be called Upside Down Cats.

For those who may have stumbled upon me in search of photos of upside down cats, I am happy to oblige.



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's one of our very own Abbey to get you through the next few sentences... You're welcome. After all, I am Upside Down Cats. In fact, when my husband registered the name, it was because of the apparent affinity people (ourselves included) had for the sight of cats, lying upside down. But we never followed through with turning it into a gallery of upside down cat photos.

When I began blogging, we searched through the domains we already owned, and I chose Upside Down Cats for the title of my blog. I didn't choose it haphazardly or without careful consideration, however. Ever true to my personality, I gave it a philosophical bent. Read my post In Search Of My Own Upside Down-ness and you'll learn everything you'll need to know about this site and my take on the title.

So don't be disappointed about the cats...I have those too...



 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's Abbey again napping with our nephew, J.



 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

This critter here is our Cooper getting a belly rub from Daddy Scott.

I like to think of my blog as a celebration of the total concept of Upside Down Cats. I hope I've convinced you to look around. If you love cats, believe me, you've come to the right place!

In a pathetic play for attention, here's Desi displaying her best Upside Down Cat this morning...























Isn't that the name of a yoga pose?

...It should be.

Welcome, Cooper, to the Upside Down Cat Club! This is the first time I've caught his upside down antics with the camera!

It appears our son has started the weekend early...kickin' back and chillin' out!

Ahh, the life of a cat...well, at least a cat in our house!

I don't think I've ever looked that content in my whole life! ...And they say humans are the more highly evolved species?

I wanna be a cat!

(I hope the cat privates don't offend!)

Here's a sight to make you smile...

If I didn't know better, I would say it was our Desi as a kitten...

Thanks, Cousin Rachel, for sharing the December page of your cat calendar!

This is too cute for words, so I won't detract from your enjoyment of this adorable spectacle with any...