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Newt
January 6, 2006 – October 22, 2024.
Yesterday afternoon we said goodbye to our old man Newt. He would have been 19 in January; I had hoped he’d be able to pass that milestone, but in recent days he made it clear that he was ready to go. He went quietly and peacefully, looking at the humans who have grown to love him deeply.
We will miss him so very much.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the fall of 2006, we bought a house in the country. Before we’d actually closed on the house, we spent a lot of time walking the property, and one day a tiny black (obviously nursing) cat showed up to greet us. That was Maxi. A few weeks later a buff orange boy showed up with her – that was Newt – and from then on they were almost always together.
Maxi eventually brought her kittens to us; we fostered them through Challenger’s House, and they were adopted out. (We initially thought that maybe Newt was the father of her kittens, but the vet suggested that he might be her kitten from a previous litter. I’ve since been informed that it’s not possible she was his kitten because [scientific reasons], but he certainly adored her as though she was his mama, so I never told him she wasn’t.)
We had Newt and Maxi spayed/neutered, and initially a neighbor said she wanted them, but Newt and Maxi had different plans. They showed up on our front porch about a day later and never left.
Eventually they started coming inside and while Newt seemed to be nervous about being inside – I even said “I don’t think he’ll ever be an indoor cat” – at some point he realized that being inside was a good thing, and after a few years he spent more time inside than out.
He got along well with the other permanent residents – as I remember it, his integration was seamless. As long as no one got in his face, he was happy to be friends. If someone DID get in his face, he was happy to give ’em a slap.
In his younger years, we never knew where we’d find him.
His favorite fencepost.
Up high in a tree.
In a bush outside the kitchen window.
Up high, exploring.
He loved to hang out in boxes – I know, so unusual for a cat! But seriously, he LOVED a good box and was always the first one to check out a new one.
He was such a sweet, patient guy who rolled his eyes when I put hats on him, but sat still until I got a good picture (he knew it wouldn’t be for long, and I always told him how much I appreciated it!)
He put up with the fosters pretty well – he was more interested in them (well, in their food and toys, anyway!) in his younger years, but even in the past year he would tolerate them eating his food, sniffing him, and trying to play with his tail. As long as they didn’t get too up in his face, he’d just ignore them.
2007. (With Rhian, Malley & Deuce)
2007. (With Punki)
2020. (With Clyde – and Jake)
2021. (With Theo Pesto)
2024. (With Dewey)
2024. (With Crouton & Pumpernickel)
2024. (With Pita)
He was just such a good guy. So patient, so sweet, got along with everyone – just never gave us one moment of trouble, always happy. Just the sweetest boy, his entire life.
In this last year, we spoiled him absolutely rotten. If he so much as glanced toward the kitchen, one of us would run in to get him some canned food or a treat. I think he knew exactly how good he had it with us. I’m grateful that we knew this time was coming, and were able to spoil him so.
Your beloved mama Maxi and so, so many of your old friends were waiting for you, I’m sure. Tell them hello from us. (We miss them so. We miss you so.)
Goodbye, you sweet, sweet old man.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Posted on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Tumblr) yesterday.
I don’t know what I did to offend Richie, but he looks very “How DARE you!” here.
Forgotten Felines of Huntsville is NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS for these guys. Email info (at) ffhsv.org to inquire (AFTER you’ve read the below, please.)
The kittens are scheduled for their spay/neuters on November 26th (yes, that’s more than a month away) and can go home a few days later. Tina has been spayed/vaccinated/id chipped and is available to go home pretty much any time.
Forgotten Felines of Huntsville gives priority to those adopting two kittens together. If you are not interested in adopting two kittens, there MUST be a young cat in residence. (Tina can be adopted as an only cat; if she’s adopted into a home with another cat, I recommend a very slow introduction.)
The kitten(s) must be picked up in person in Huntsville, Alabama. Forgotten Felines does allow out of state adoptions but does not allow the transport of kittens/cats and none of them can drive (YET).
Email Forgotten Felines of Huntsville at INFO (at) FFHSV.ORG to inquire. Leaving a comment on any social media post is not an application to adopt a kitten.
YouTube link
Play time in the kitten room! The kittens playing, and Tina just randomly wandering around being gorgeous.
Carmy has some serious whiskers!
YouTube link
It’s Churu time! This is Step 1 in Churu time, wherein I sit on the floor and feed it to the kittens (and Tina.) Once everyone is addicted to it, we’ll move to having Churu time on the desk. That’ll probably start tomorrow, actually. Everyone finally seems in agreement that Churu is awesome!
Today we said goodbye to Newt, the old man of our permanent residents. He would have been 19 in January. He was a sweet, mild mannered boy who got along with everyone (even tolerated fosters) and we will miss him so very much. 🧡
Good night innernets. (Sydney in the top left, Carmy in the top right, Richie stretched across the center, and Jeff lying on top of them all.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Previously
2023: One last shot of the snuggly sisters before I took them home.
2022: No entry.
2021: No entry.
2020: Tater Tot latte? They’re all the rage this fall!
2019: He’s got MANNERS.
2018: Clutch and the Ears of Annoyance.
2017: He is very very soft – petting him is like petting a big, plush silky cotton ball.
2016: Wheeskers in the sun.
2015: “HEY GUYS I THINK IT’S SNACK TIIIIIIME!”
2014: Myrtle Beach Thursday.
2013: I can just imagine having to break the toy apart to get a kitten out, and I’d rather not!
2012: That is one seriously grumpy Jake.
2011: No entry.
2010: No entry.
2009: There’s poop. There’s plenty of poop.
2008: Kara comes back.
2007: “Hey! Where ya goin’? Can I go too?”
2006: Momma Kitty thinks you are acting very suspiciously and if you make any sudden moves, she WILL kick your butt.
2005: No entry.
Oh Newt, what a good boy he was!! Such a lovely tribute, and I’m so very glad he found you, and you found him, and you got to say goodbye gently and spoil him so much beforehand. Sending thoughts for your poor hearts though, it doesn’t matter what age, losing a cat is so very painful. You gave Newt an amazing life, and what a beautiful kitty he was too! Lovely photos. I’ll be thinking of Newt and you guys today. <3
Thanking you for sharing Newt with us. Such a wonderful boy, I’m glad he found a place with you for all these years. Peace to you and your family.
What a blessed life Nest had with you and Fred. He lived like a king. RIP handsome boy!
Handsome Newt, fly high sweet boy and climb those trees at The Bridge! ❤️
You are blessed if you know the love of a senior kitty…hugs Robyn and Fred.
Such a beautiful boy. I don’t understand how he was almost 19 because I remember when he and Maxi joined the family, and it can’t possibly have been THAT long… can it? Thank you for all the years of sharing sweet Newtles with us, and much love to you and Fred.
Awww, Newt. I’m so sorry for your loss, Robin, and so glad y’all had each other all of these years.
I’m so sorry for your loss. What a sweetheart.
What a beautiful tribute to Newt. I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s so hard to say goodby, even when you know they had the best possible life. I’m glad you were able to spoil him rotten this last year. And I wish whoever is cutting onions next to my laptop would cut it out.
Wishing comfort for you and Fred.
I’m so sorry for the loss of sweet Newt. Hugs to you and Fred.
So sorry to hear about Unca Newt’s passing. At least he has some great company waiting for him across the bridge. ((hugs)) to you and Fred.
What a heartfelt tribute to a lovely boy. Most of us never got to meet him in person but loved him through your posts and photos.
I hope I can remain anonymous
I’m so sorry to see this beautiful boy passed over the rainbow bridge. I remember the day he walked up to y’all crooked acres….
I see we forgotten felines could use donations so I donated in Newt’s memory.
So, so, sorry Robyn about Newt. I know you and Fred gave him the best life. Even with his age and knowing his time was short, I know it still hurts to say goodbye, Orgj boys are the best, and I know you will keep him in a special place in your heart. XOXO
Sitting here with my 15 year old Chloe at my side and crying. You were blessed to have sweet Newtles in your lives for such a long time, but no matter how many years we have them, in the end it is never enough, is it? You gave him a wonderful life, just like all the other kitties who have been fortunate enough to pass through the doors of Casa And3rson, whether as fosters or permanent residents, over the years. Sending you and Fred big hugs today. So very sorry for your loss. Rest in peace, sweet boy!
I’m so very sorry. Newt was the best, and I will miss him. There’s just something about those boys, those big cheeked mancats. <3
What a lovely tribute to a wonderful cat.
I love this quote and know you would still live no other way.
“We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own, live within a fragile circle; easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps, we would still live no other way. We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan.”
― Irving Townsend
I’m so very sorry about Newt. It was nice to hear his whole story and see him with so many of the kittens from over the years. What a sweet and beautiful boy he was. There’s truly something very special about those orange boys.
Enjoy those great trees high in the sky Newt and if you find my Poppy up one of them she might want help getting back down. Xx
Lovely words, why do so many in the world have such a problem believing cats can be such gentle creatures?
Love and hugs to you both XX
I am so sorry to hear about Newt, he was so patient and sweet.
I’m glad that he was spoiled so much, he deserved it
I’m so glad that you had each other.
Awwww, sweet sweet boy Newty. I so love that you were able and willing to spoil him rotten in this last year. I will miss his steady and sweet presence on these pages. My heartfelt condolences to you and Fred. A beautiful tribute to a very special oranj boy. ❤️
Aww, such a wonderful tribute to your boy. Thanks for sharing him with us all these years. Hugs and purrs to you and Fred as you grieve his loss. I hope the memories you have of him bring you comfort. Take good care.
Thank you for taking care of Newt all his life.
A beautiful tribute to your Sweetie Boy Newt. Thank you for sharing those precious memories. He was loved so much. Warm and Comforting hugs to you and Fred.
I am so sorry tohear that Beautiful Newt has “left the room”. I always enjoyed looking at his beuaty, his inner beauty would just tumble out. I hate this part of saying good bye. Thank you for all the photos of his life with you, it brought me to tears but he was worthy of this testimony !!
O damn. That’s the end of an epoch. So, so sorry for your loss. I will mis Newt, too 🙁
Also, thank you for the beautiful picture of Newt with the Old Crew: Tommy Cullen, Stinkerbelle, Spanky, Jake – so lovely to see them all…
Rest in peace, dearest Newt. You were just the best boy, and such a kind, patient uncle (and food stealer!) to the foster kittens. Newt has been a beloved member of the family for so long and will never be forgotten. Thank you for the beautiful tribute Robyn. Seeing all the photos of Newt through the years made me smile x
we r so sorry fur your loss!! here’z to mr. newt, your royal doodness!!!
So sorry to hear of Newt”s passing. He had a good, spoiled life with you. I have two 18 year olds and know their time is coming. They never last as long as we’d like them to.
Ok, I am crying now as I remember so much of those pictures. He was so loved and wanted. Thank you again for sharing him with us.
So sorry for the loss of your sweet boy Newt
Oh my heart, he has always been one of my favorites. I feel his loss nearly like one of my own.
Robyn, you write the most awesome tributes…which leave me reading with blurred vision for some reason! Newt was such an epic permanent resident and you gave him such a good life. Sorry for the loss, it never gets any easier to say good-bye. Hugs from across the miles.
Oh, Newtles! *woe* He was my favorite of your current flock. Thank you for giving him such a wonderful, comfortable, happy life.
Oh, dear, good-bye precious Newt. We will miss that sweet boy.
Such a lovely and touching tribute to a wonderful cat.
Oh, Newt – what a perfect creature you were; and so loved by so many across the interwebs.
Newt really was the luckiest boy ever to have been a beloved Love & Hisses cat for so many years; what a life!!
Sending SO much sympathy to you, Robyn, and to Fred.
So sorry to hear that Newt has passed on. He was a sweet, special boy. It’s always so hard to lose them, but so wonderful to share their lives. Thank you for sharing him with us.
I send my condolences to you and yours upon the passing of your dear Newt. Because you mentioned in a post this year that “whatever the old man wants, the old man gets” (I think that’s a quote), we upped our efforts for our senior girl. We get out the Churu more, and also her favorite: a little dab of *bacon grease*
I’m so sorry to hear that Newt is gone. He was the last of the permanent residents that were there when I started following you during the True Blood Six litter. He was such a cool cat. He’ll be missed.
Such sweet photos of Newt in boxes. He will be missed. My condolences on losing this sweet boy.
I’m sorry you guys had to say goodbye to your sweet, orange buddy Newt. Thank you for sharing your journey with him!
Rest in peace Newtles, you are so loved. Beautiful eulogy Robin, thank you for the pictures and telling us his story.
He always looked like the sweetest, gentlest little soul. You gave him such a beautiful life. No matter how long we have them though, it’s never long enough.
thank u so much for sharing newt’s life with me/us. i loved seeing his life.
I’ve been traveling, so missed this sad news. Newt was such a sweet boy — we’ll all miss him….
I’m late catching up on the news, but I still very much wanted to add my condolences as well as my thanks. I’ve been reading Love & Hisses for several years now and have so loved following all of the fosters and permanent residents; it’s already been said, but thank you for sharing Newt with us.
I hope he’s happy to see Maxi again.