Friday, January 27, 2017

Flashback Friday: Truffles' Blue Ball

Earlier this week I was going through my photo files and discovered that three years ago today, on January 27, 2014, I took one of my all-time favorite pictures of Truffles.


While Mudpie lives to play with anything and everything, Truffles had little to no play drive. It breaks my heart to realize now that most likely her heart issues left her with much less energy than a healthy cat.

The one toy that did get her motor running was this fabric-covered, plain blue ball that she received in her first Secret Paws package from Samantha and Clementine from Life from a Cat's Perspective. She played with it so much I had to take a few stitches in the fabric once, she napped with it, she simply adored it.

It means the world to me because it brought her so much happiness. It lives in her memory box now and whenever I pull it out I feel closer to her.

What have you done with the favorite toys of pets who live in your heart?

20 comments:

Angel, Kirby and Max said...

Wizard has a favorite toy that came either from Christmas in August (I think) or Secret Paws. I still have it and even though it has been in the toy box, none of the other kitties will touch it. Max picked a red bird, that peeps when it is moved, from last years Secret Paws.

Summer at sparklecat.com said...

How sweet that you have this special photo.

My human's soul cat was semi-feral and she actually didn't play at all! My human liked to say, "She plays for keeps." ;-) Incidentally, she was a calico, which I hear have rather a tortie-like attitude.

Momma Kat and Her Bear Cat said...

Kitty wasn't really into toys either. There's one catnip mouse that she liked to snuggle with though. I named it Smacky after Bucky's teddy bear in Get Fuzzy. I have a picture of her hanging on my wall ... along with the little envelope of fur I snipped, a couple whiskers and claw sheathes I found. Originally, I had Smacky sitting on top of the frame ... but Bear kept ripping it off. I bought him the same toy in a different color and he just wanted hers, so I tucked hers away for safe keeping :)

Mickey's Musings said...

That is a lovely picture of Truffles.
Purrs Georgia,Julie and JJ

Lone Star Cats said...

We always get to inherit favorite toys - momma likes seein us enjoyin em.

Ingrid King said...

Aww, beautiful Truffles. I actually had both my first cat's and Amber's favorite toys cremated with them. Sometimes, I wish I had kept the toys, but it just felt right at the time.

The Menagerie Mom said...

This is so precious, and I am so glad that you have these memories, Melissa. My family has always kept at least the favorite toys of all of our angel furbabies. I have my dear Rosie's favorite toys, including her beloved canvas mouse that she had nearly all 21 years of her life, along with all of her blankets and such in a box in my bedroom closet. Almost 2 years later, and I still haven't had the heart to open that box that my mom packed up for me on the day Rosie traveled to the Rainbow Bridge. Sending you prayers and peace and all the happy memories you could ask for, Melissa!

Unknown said...

What a special memory! Our cats' favorite things are their Catnip Snakes from PurrfectPlay. Now that they're getting a little older (both will be 12 this year), they're not as into the toys as they used to be. They'll still go on a tear with a little ball or catnip toy once in a while though!

Anonymous said...

Precious memory

Priscilla King said...

My cats' favorite toys have been whatever friends were playing with--hedge prunings, voles, and empty food tins. Since these toys are so replaceable they've all been recycled in peace.

The first generation of the cat family was totally feral, and the current generation are still technically barn/porch cats though comfortable indoors. They do play, though--mostly with one another.

Two French Bulldogs said...

Ahhh so sweet. Our angel Benny's toy is near him on our dresser.
Snorts
Lily & Edward

Cathy Keisha said...

TW still has Chizzy and Autumn's fave toys showcased in their shrines. Dunno what happened to Nicky or maybe like Truffles he didn't play cos of his heart and weight issues.

Kitty Cat Chronicles said...

I love how cats pick out a toy that is "their." It's so sweet. Love that you still have Truffles' ball <3 I don't have any toys that belonged to my angel kitties, but I have a few momento items that were theirs. From my childhood cat, Phoebe, I have her leash and harness set. Her leash is the one I use for Sophie now when I take her out on adventures. For Milton, the little kitten I had for a week over the summer, I have a blanket that he was always wrapped up in, and his thermometer that we got when he was sick. The thermometer is kind of pathetic, but I held onto it for days after he was gone because that's all I had that was his. :( Anyway, thanks for sharing your memories about Truffles and her blue ball <3

Hairballsandhissyfits.com said...

I can see why that is one of your fav photos. We all love Mudpie but like you we miss Truffles too. I am glad she had a beloved toy!

da tabbies o trout towne said...

mudpie...how kewl yur mom capsured thiz fotoz of truffles ~~~ ♥♥♥♥♥

de food gurl keepz two favez; one iz kept in houz in a speshull place; de other iz buried in her garden under a flower ore shrub that getz planted in ther honor... ~~~♥♥♥♥

The Swiss Cats said...

What a sweet memory ! Purrs

Anonymous said...

Mommy has boxes fur every kitty dat has gone to heaven and puts some of their favorite things in there as a 'membrance to them. Big hugs

Luv ya

Dezi and Raena

pilch92 said...

That is a sweet photo. Most of the toys they treasured are in the closet with their boxes of ashes which are sitting on one of my robes that they liked to sleep on.

The Island Cats said...

What a great memory. The mom still has some toys from the cats that came before us.

nancywestbooks said...

A sweet and beautiful memory. Yes, I always keep that "special" toy or toys. When my 15 year old, former feral Maggie passed I kept all of her little toys in a basket in my office. Every morning, for many weeks, I would find the toys scattered on my office floor. I loved that my other cats enjoyed playing with Maggie's special toys. I always felt that Maggie's spirit was there with them.