One year ago today, Purrkoy the kitten crossed the Rainbow Bridge at age four, after suffering a massive stroke.
Purrkoy the Kitten
2014-2018
Since then, I have thought many, many times about the outpouring of love and tributes from the people and kittehs of #Catstagram, which was a huge consolation for me.
I’ve also looked many, many times at artist/author Adam Ellis‘s illustration of a poem by Laura Gilpin.
In addition, I’ve returned repeatedly to artist/author Lucy Knisley’s tribute to her cat, Linney (swipe through).
The last slide of Knisley’s post is how I like to imagine Purrkoy is now, somewhere.
I do want to thank Purrkoy for taking a break from his splendiferousness to send us bébé cat Robin. He’s a lot like you, PK …
… even though he doesn’t sing any opurra. I’m not complaining about that, by the way. One purrfessional singer in the family was plenty! We do love him lots.
For the cat lovers who want to meet Purrkoy for the first time and those who want to reminisce, here are some lovely links:
- Introducing Purrkoy in 2014.
- Meeting his fans.
- Purrkoy does politics.
- RIP, Purrkoy
- Purrkoy and the wonderful people of #Catstagram.
- Purrkoy’s Instagram, now maintained by Robin (with hooman help).
Today is also five years to the day since Henry the dog crossed the Rainbow Bridge, released from the ailments of old age. Henry was the first of my pets to have a Tudor-inspired name. He just looked like Henry VIII to me: Red hair, portly, peevish expression. FitzRoy the cat, Edward the dog, Purrkoy the kitten, and Robin the bébé cat have all been named accordingly. You can learn more about the names from this video.
Finally, a message from Purrkoy to all his online friends:
He’s splendid.
What a lovely tribute! (And that Laura Gilpin poem is intense…)
I really needed that illustration to go with the poem or it’s too much for me! But the drawings are just <3