There once was a time when I had a broken heart. I was living with my parents and it was the summer of 2006. It was the kind of time where I would sit on the couch and my mom would take one look at me, and just knew to grab the cookie dough...men can be such jerks! (Lucky for me it happened...now I have Josh!).
There was a man my dad bowled with who informed me that his cat had kitties (it got out and then got knocked up). I BEGGED my parents to let me have one, but they insisted it was a bad idea - remember, I was 23 and living at home.
Well, my parents gave in :) I picked out the most BEAUTIFUL cat who very quickly won over my heart :) In honor of receiving him from the bowling family, I named him "Striker!"
Mike O'Halloran took this picture when he did our Maternity Session - Thank you Mike, I didn't realize at the time how much I would cherish this photo.
My life was complete! Striker quickly filled my heart with love! We cuddled ALL of the time. He slept under my sheets and would curl up by my feet. Whenever I was feeling sad, he would come and sit on my chest and nuzzle at me.
Striker got so stressed out, that he developed a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection). It got so bad that we brought him to the Emergency Room at the Vet's office on a Sunday night. Had we not gotten him there...we may not have made it. I was a wreck. Striker was my life...he had to get better!
And he did. For a little while...
As you have probably read previously, we had to give Cooper away (you can read about it if you haven't already)...Striker's BEST FRIEND :( I can't imagine what that felt like for him. And then the worst happened...Josh and I brought home Callie. Striker didn't want anything to do with her. He avoided her and avoided us :( He peed again. We brought him to the vet only to find out that the crystals were back.
So we put him on the expensive cat food diet, confined him for 1 month to help him get better, and then we let him out. Josh and I both agreed that IF it happened again, we would have to put Striker down.
Last week, Striker peed in a bag in our kitchen. We both realized he is not better.
Striker, you were my best friend when I really needed someone there for me. I believe God gave you to me to help fill the void I had in my heart. I no longer have that void...
When I got a job in Austin, MN - I almost couldn't bring Striker with me. My dad was secretively happy as he had grown to love Striker! They took daily naps together :) Striker knew that when he got home from work - it was serious nap time :) But - lucky me - I was able to bring Striker with me :)
His move to Austin was pretty scary for him. He didn't come out from under my bed for a couple days. Then after he finally got used to things, I went and got Cooper...crazy cat!
Striker LOVED having a friend...he loved Cooper and they cuddled and played together all the time.
But as the story goes - Josh and I met, fell in love and bought a house. Things were starting to get a little stressful for Striker-then Kix came along. That dang cat would attack Striker ALL THE TIME!
Striker LOVED having a friend...he loved Cooper and they cuddled and played together all the time.
But as the story goes - Josh and I met, fell in love and bought a house. Things were starting to get a little stressful for Striker-then Kix came along. That dang cat would attack Striker ALL THE TIME!
Striker got so stressed out, that he developed a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection). It got so bad that we brought him to the Emergency Room at the Vet's office on a Sunday night. Had we not gotten him there...we may not have made it. I was a wreck. Striker was my life...he had to get better!
And he did. For a little while...
As you have probably read previously, we had to give Cooper away (you can read about it if you haven't already)...Striker's BEST FRIEND :( I can't imagine what that felt like for him. And then the worst happened...Josh and I brought home Callie. Striker didn't want anything to do with her. He avoided her and avoided us :( He peed again. We brought him to the vet only to find out that the crystals were back.
So we put him on the expensive cat food diet, confined him for 1 month to help him get better, and then we let him out. Josh and I both agreed that IF it happened again, we would have to put Striker down.
Last week, Striker peed in a bag in our kitchen. We both realized he is not better.
On August 26, 2006, Striker Shellum was brought into this world. He was soon in my loving arms and he was my world. On Tuesday, June 8, 2010, Striker McRae was put to rest. He is up in Heaven playing with Winnie and chasing bugs outside :) He probably has his claws back now too!
Striker, you were my best friend when I really needed someone there for me. I believe God gave you to me to help fill the void I had in my heart. I no longer have that void...
Thank you for helping me when I needed someone the most! I will forever miss you - I will love you forever. No cat can ever replace you.
He always took care of the other pets...he was such a good friend.
He loved this darn green frog! Now I'm slapping myself for getting rid of it :(
This was our VERY first picture together! This was the first day that I brought him home!
Playing :)
He also had a thing for Butterfinger Blizzards from the DQ! They were my favorite too, and YES, I was letting him lick my blizzard!
Striker LOVES going in bags!
I love my boy!
Striker's first time in the snow :)
Striker next to my bowling ball...this is where he got his name :)
Striker getting a Manicure :)
Striker's First Christmas!
He also had a thing for Butterfinger Blizzards from the DQ! They were my favorite too, and YES, I was letting him lick my blizzard!
Striker LOVES going in bags!
I love my boy!
Striker's first time in the snow :)
Striker next to my bowling ball...this is where he got his name :)
Striker getting a Manicure :)
Striker's First Christmas!
oh cori that's a beautiful post. i can relate, i had a cat since i was 12, and when i went off to college she stayed with my parents. then when orion and i got married we couldn't take her cause orion is deathly allergic to cats. i was so sad. she started acting all crazy and going to the bathroom everywhere in my parents house, losing her hair, etc. and finally my parents put her down, only they didn't tell me for 4 days after the fact right before i was coming home for easter. :( i cried and cried. i know how you feel, but better place he is!
ReplyDeleteI know how much you loved Striker - and it was a sad time in your life when dad let you get him. That darn frog - I forgot about that frog - oh how we laughed at how Striker played with it. I do hope he is playing with Winnie now. I still miss that dog - she was with me thru some really horrible times in my life! I sat and cried with her so many times over the years.....Love you Cori, and we miss Striker too - Dad and I did shed a few tears.....XOXO
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