Dear Ginger,
I hope that all my friends that I have made at Lightning Strike will scroll down to take a look at your photos. If it were not for them I would still be crying. But, they have lost their friends too, and because they know how much I miss you, by way of commaradarie, I have been healing.
I have the hardest time explaining all your many ways! You were a cat that at first "bit the hand that fed him". How I put up with you in the beginning is beyond me....but what a prize I had in the end. You know it wasn't easy apologizing for you all the time. And remember how people thought that sign on the fence was a "joke"? (ha-ha! go ahead and pet him and see if it is a joke! ) How about when you would hiss at all the children who came to the door? Remember when you nearly ran down Dave's grandchild in the backyard, like she was a gazelle and you were a puma? Yeah, you didn't make big points that day. And Spencer still has a scar on his arm, having "visited" you declaring later: "I don't think Ginger likes me very much". Well, that was the trouble, you looked so "inviting" to those who did not know you. How is it I could fall so in love with such an irksome cat?? I don't know. Maybe precisely because you were hard to love at first. I didn't set out to love you so much. And you did love me after I wouldn't give up. Because I always knew that I could convince you that I was your "Mommy" and that I would never hurt you no matter what you did. That is especially WHY I was so upset with how it all ended. Because I would NEVER have hurt you for anything in the world. Well. Buddy, it hasn't really ended either, because when I look at your pictures I know you are still here with me. I sure do miss your sweet face and inexplicitly I miss your cranky attitude. I guess maybe I even miss having to apologize for you. Don't you be devouring any squirrels or birds at the rainbow bridge---ok?? You be a good boy, and I will see you when I get there.
Love,
Mommy

Oh - oh - oh, Ginger is soooo precious! Thank you for the photos - they make me smile. Love the Attack Cat photo! And thank you for describing Ginger so well . . . you were a wonderful mom to hang in there the way you did and to see the good side, not just that ornery "irksome" side!

ooohh Patti, Ginger has personality written all over his cute little face! He was so much like Buster -I just had to chuckle when I read how you had to apologize for his fiestiness! I had to do that all of the time,lol....that just makes
them all the more cuter, doesn't it?!! He truly is a beautiful little man Patti......so soft..

Love,
Karen

Hey Patti,

I love the pictures. He was a beauty (excuse me, HANDSOME, very handsome), and he does LOOK sweet. I love your letter to him too. You do have some funny stories to tell and listening to you talk about little ol meany Ginger and his antics has made me laugh more than I've laughed in all the while.

I bet he's got his angel wings now -- no more fights or hissing. You were such a good mom to Ginger and what a patient person you really must be!

Love,
Marcia

Hi Patti:

I'll bet when people look at Ginger's picture, they all say, "Ooooohhhhh, what a sweet little boy..........Such a dear
little, handsome face.............."
Because, my goodness........he is sooooooooooooooo cute & handsome....

But, you are his mom.........and, I believe you....

God Bless you for not giving up on this beautiful fur-kitty..... You and he, were ONE!!! (I have a feeling!!)

You're a great mommy!!!!

The first photo, was Ginger in a "mid yawn", or a "mid meow"????? How adorable.......

Love, Denise

p.s. I love whatever's handwritten under the "attack cat sign".......something like, 'not kidding............'
Had I ever had the chance to meet him......I'd hope that somehow "I'd be able to breakthrough his tough exterior", but, somehow I think his mommy only knew how to do that!!

thanks everyone!
Denise--that first photo was right after a fight he had with the next door neighbor's cat and he was still ticked off--he is meowing! It was sometimes very upsetting to me that he had to fight so often but I do remember taking this photo and being relieved that it was once again apparently "over". (until the next day that is). If you look closely at the photo, that is blood on his face on the left! I really can get an idea of what it would be like to have a bully for a kid! I always felt badly that he caused so much trouble (but on the other hand I loved him and knew I couldn't change his predatory and territorial ways). Even my own vet remarked--"Ginger hears the beat of his own drummer."
It does says "not kidding" on the sign. lol.

Oh God.........

I see the blood now..........

Norwegian Forest mixed with some Maine Coon Cat, maybe.....

I remember in a post a long time ago............you mentioned "Ginger", as the name referred to "Ginger Baker".......

Yes, "GINGER DID HEAR THE BEAT OF HIS OWN DRUMMER..............." FOR SURE, MY FRIEND!!!

Love, Denise

This is the page of a small book that I keep open on top of Ginger's blanket. I will always be able to hold the thought very dear, that I was part of the reason he could take a chance on another human being after having been obviously abused by someone in the past. I never wanted to scold him for fear he would misunderstand and think I didn't love him. I loved him despite his wayward ways. I loved him the way he was.
I miss you, Ginger.

Patti,
That's one of the things you loved the most about Ginger - his fiestiness! So bad but so cute being bad.....I can
relate to that personality oh so well Plus, he chose YOU to trust & love - that is an honor beyond words!

I love seeing those pics of Ginger - I wish I could have met him!

You're in my thoughts....

Love,
Karen

Hi Ginger,
Just wanted to say hello to you today. I is fun to see your photos here. I do love that last photo so much...you used to hang on the screen like that..wanting to come in and be the "family cat" ...but of course if you came in too early you wanted to go out again--contrary silly goose. I am trying these days to miss you appropriately and not let it all turn into a full fledged depression. That won't do either one of us any good, will it?
My big ol alleycat.