Cash: Over the Rainbow Bridge

 

Some of you might remember these two awesome mancats - Crash and Coltrane! 

Today, I am heartbroken to share the news that Cash has gone to the Rainbow Bridge. 

Anyone who is close to me knows how much I love and adore these two mancats. In fact, Angel Lita was afraid she was going to wind up with a couple of more brothers! Had I been able to afford to care for them, I would have seriously considered taking them home. But my circumstances at the time didn't allow for that. So I did what I thought was the nexct best thing. I visited Crash and Coltrane at the shelter often, and I promoted them here and on social media to try and help them find a good and loving home.

Crash (who was renamed Cash) had a tough time of it in the shelter. Most of the people there didn't understand him. I think Cash and I developed a bond because I could see his sweet soul. I knew without a doubt that when he found a good home, he'd be a little lovebug. He was rather cranky at the shelter - and who could blame him? Unfortunately, most people could not look beyond that, so Cash and Cole stayed at the shelter for quite a while. Cash and Cole were a bonded pair and had to be adopted together. You could often find them curled up together in a single bed.

Photo used with permission.

Every time I visited the shelter (at least a couple of times a month), I would look for Cash and Coltrane (he was renamed Cole). I would usually find Cole first. If he wasn't already by Cash, I'd pick him up and we'd go find Cash together. I'd sit down, and Cole would sit on my lap, purring while I talked to him and Cash. Cash let me pet him, but I knew how stressed he was at the shelter, so if he didn't want to be pet that day, I would just sit by him and talk to him. I would tell him what a good kitty he was; I don't think he was hearing that enough at the shelter.

Cash LOVED Yeowww! One time, I bought Carmine and Lita a Yeowww! catnip banana from the Meow Mart. I had put the bag under the bench while I waited for my ride. All of a sudden, I hear my bag rustling. I look under the bench to see who it was. It was Cash trying to steal the banana! Another time, I found Cash inside the box the Yeowww! toys had come in for the Meow Mart. You did not want to try to disturb his box. Cash would get pretty upset if someone tried to take off with it.

Photo used with permission.

P

Over time, Cash got to know my voice and would come right up to the door when he heard me in the shelter. It was so sweet to have him happy to see me. 

The last time I saw Cash and Cole, Cash put his little paw on my hand. He'd never done this before. He just rested his little brown foot on me. Maybe I'm projecting here, but it seems like he knew he was going to get a home, and he was telling me thank you for being his friend. 

About a week after Jewel died, I went to the shelter specifically to see Cash and Cole. Imagine my surprise when I was told they went home when I asked where they were! 

Photo used with permission.

Of course I was happy these two mancats had found a home, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't also sad. I was sad I didn't think I'd ever know what happened to them beyond that point. I had bonded so closely with these boys. 

Shortly after that, I was at a festival hosted by the shelter. Suellen came and grabbed me and told me, "Crash and Coltrane's mom is here!" She took me over to Mom Karen and introduced us. I talked to Karen for a few minutes before she left. I thanked her for adopting the boys and gave her my information in case she wanted to stay in touch. 

Honestly, I thought that would be the end of it. I love making new friends, but oftentimes when I give out my information, people do not follow up. In any case, I was glad that it seemed like Cash and Cole were adopted by a kind human, and that made me happy.

Well, that wasn't the end of it. Instead, it was the beginning of a wonderful and beautiful friendship. I've been friends with Mom Karen for the past several years now, and I can truly say she is one of the kindest, most loving people I've ever known. Our love for Cash and Cole brought us together, and I will forever be thankful for that gift.

Photo used with permission.

Over the years, I've loved hearing Mom Karen's stories about Cash and Cole. About how Cash liked to knock things off the table. About how Mom Karen and Dad Bob called Cash the "little Prince" because he ruled the house (of course he did, he was a meezie, after all!). About how Cash was trying to get into other people's presents at Christmas - because all of the presents were for Cash, right? About how Cash liked to snuggle in bed with his humans every night.

Cash had so many wonderful traits. He was a real character! He was intelligent, sweet, and feisty. He had opinions and wasn't afraid to share them. 

Cash and Cole found themselves the most wonderful humans to care for and love them. It brings me comfort knowing that Cash had such a loving home. He and Cole could not have asked for a better home or more loving people. 

Cash will live on in our hearts. He will never, ever be forgotten. And I will forever be thankful that he and I bonded and that he brought Mom Karen into my life. 

Run free, sweet boy. We miss you, and we love you!

Cash

May, 2004 - March 31, 2022