There are those days where you’re filled with a ton of emotion. For me, today is one of those days. Today would have been Wally’s 16th birthday. I know I haven’t written much about Wally since his passing in February but that’s because it still hurts. I can’t think of him without my eyes filling with tears. I miss him so much.
I miss our conversations. Wally was a real talker and he would sit on the kitchen counter and carry on conversations with me. I really think he understood what I was saying to him.
I miss how he was always the first to greet me at the door whenever I came home. Oh, I’m sure he had an ulterior motive of wanting to get outside. He loved going out and would try and sneak past me when the door was open. He successfully made it by me a few times, too.
And his purr. It was the loudest I ever heard…and constant! I jokingly said that if we could figure out a way to turn Wally’s purring into an electrical current, we could light up the whole house.
I miss rubbing that belly of his…and his freckly nose. It just isn’t the same around here without him. He was such a special cat.
In memory of my handsome orange boy, we’re having a commentathon…the proceeds to be donated to the Winn Foundation, and in particular to help with their research for cats with kidney disease. Studies show that more than 50% of senior cats will develop kidney disease.
For every comment made on this post now through Wednesday, June 19, we will donate $1.00 to the Winn Foundation in Wally’s memory. If you would like to make a donation yourself or learn more about what the Winn Foundation is doing to advance feline health through research and education, click HERE.
Happy Birthday, Wally. If I had only one wish, it would be that you were here to celebrate it. I’ll love you forever.
91 Responses to “A Special Day”
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Your words resonate so loudly with me as that is so very much how I feel about my little Bibi who has only been gone 3 weeks. Wally will always be in your heart. Sending you a big virtual hug.
((hugs)) I lost my 16 year old Aerin in December, likely kidney complications after years of trying to control hyper thyroid. She had the loudest purr to wake me in the mornings too.
We miss him too. Wally was such a special ManCat.
The Florida Furkids
Hugs and love from all of us Sue as you remember your special Wally. We all loved that special dude too.
Oh we so much miss Wally, even though we don’t really blog anymore. He was one of Austin’s first pals and also an island cat. Always in our hearts, Wally ❤️
Happy Birthday in heaven, Wally.
All of us that have loved and lost a precious family member can relate to these words.
Big healing hug on this day. ♥
Thank you for sharing those Wally pictures and stories. He really was a special and unforgettable cat! Happy Birthday to Wally!
A Commentathon is a lovely way to remember Wally. No matter how long it is, the pain of loss never really goes, it just hides itself below the surface. He left you happy memories though and lives forever in your heart. (((hugs)))
What a darling boy Wally was, purrs and prayers to all who are grieving his loss. The Commentathon is such a nice tribute.
What a sweet boy Wally was! Hang on to the sweet memories.
I understand how you feel; sometimes the spot they left is never really filled. Happy Purrsday in that great sunbeam in the sky, Wally. I’m glad to help Winn Feline study renal issues in cats too.
WALLEE!!!! a belly rub in yor honor
He was a very special, handsome boy. I know your pain; I share it. Our lives become so intertwined with our furry loved ones, we are left with gaping holes when they leave us.
Happy Birthday Wally!!!
Wally was so special, and loved by so many around the world. Thank you for sharing him with us all, Sue, and for remembering his life in such an impactful and important way. We hope the commentathon is super successful.
Happy birthday in Heaven, sweet Wally. We love you always.
I never got to meet him, but I know he was truly special.
What a great way to honor the memory of a special boy.
Now you have mum all leaky eyed from this post. Missing Wally and missing Derby too. Kidney disease sucks.
Love and purrs for Angel Wally. Missing him too and all his handsomeness gracing your blog. I know what its like to lose a beloved baby and I think of my babies in Heaven all the time. Purrs and kitty hugs. Wally is there over the bridge waiting for you <3
Waht a special tribute to that special boy, Wally. That brought tears to the Mom’s eyes. Big hugs to you Sue.
Wally was such a special boy and he so loved his Mom with the yellow hair.
Thank you for sharing him with us. He had such a great life with you. (((Hugs)))
Karen and Slash
Very sweet and meaningful tribute to Wally . He was loved!
Aloha Wally – Happy Birthday in heaven. You are a special kitty loved by us and everyone. We miss you.
To the Mom, what a special way to honor Wally. Blessings to you and your family.
Happy birthday, Wally! We all miss you.
As the Mom of a senior cat with kidney disease I thoroughly appreciate your commentathon. Much sympathy for your grief. Having lost several wonderful cats in the past I know that you their love, both sad and joyful, stays with you forever. Thanks for doing this.
I’m leaky-eyed. Angel Wally was a sweet ginger boy, and I’ll never forget him. Hugs to you and John on this remembrance day.
Maybe Wally and Pumpkin are purring together
We’re sending you lots of purrs as you remember Wally today. What a wonderful way to celebrate his memory.
**sniffelllsss**
Oh Miss Sue wee can feel yore sadss thru THE Pee C…..wee share yore loss of Wally!! Hee was one of mee faverite man catss inn THE werld. You rote such a lovelee tribute for yore bee-loved man cat.
‘angel’ Wally wee send Happy 16th Birfday wishess to you inn Purr Land. Wee will LOVE you fur efurr!
Yore kitt photoe an Selfie are both so guud….wee goin to go now bee-fore LadyMew criess all over mee an Pee C.
***purrsss*** an ***paw kissesss*** to Purr Land BellaDharma an {{huggiesss}} To Miss Sue from LadyMew
Oh do I truly understand. Happy Heavenly 16th Wally. All our pets are very special; however, like people we bound differently. I never understood heart cat until Madi. She had such expressive and soulful eyes and she always made sure we knew exactly how she felt, very vocal, as her Dad said she was like a perpetual 13 year old girl.
Thursday, June 13, was 9 months since that precious diva passed. We talk about her daily.
She too had kidney disease and was on daily subqs for her last year….for a kitty who was not to thrilled with being confined. I think she realized when we held her for the SubQs it was for her good.
Sending you loads of hugs
Cecilia
I miss Wally too. I loved his “What’s That Wally Doing” posts. I hope you will be okay today.
What a handsome boy! We miss him too.
Sending you lots of purrs xx
Lots of purrs to you today. Donating to Winn is an awesome way to honor Wally.
I miss reading about Wally and what he was doing! He was a real “Star”. He will forever be in your heart.
Happy Birthday at the RB, Wally. I miss you always beside Ernie. Your convos were priceless.
This is a beautiful post and tribute to WALLY. We also miss him. Mau is our talker. These are such special photos, especially the baby photo. We send lots of purrs and our mom sends love and hugs, as you continue to miss and grieve for your ginger boy. XOCK, angel Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, Cooper Murphy and Sawyer
We miss you too, sweet darling angel <3 Pawkisses for a Happy Birthday at the bridge and a big hug for your mommy
Happy Birthday in heaven Wally. We miss reading about him. We are sending purrs and hugs to the Lady with the yellow hair.
Your stories of Wally show what a special kitty he was.
Oh Sue this was BEAUTIFUL and made me cry. I miss Wally too and I just love this post. You shared some special moments. Sending (((hugs)))
This is a beautiful tribute to a beautiful boy
I miss him very very much. I loved him, just as I do Ernie. When they leave us here after they go on, it is the lonliest thing in the world- despite family right there with you. Irreplaceable.
The Winn Foundation are a worthy cause for a wonderful ginger boy. I enjoyed seeing him on the blog.
I understand how difficult it is to talk about a kitty after they pass away. I never was able after Lucy died. I miss Wally too. He always made me laugh. I wish he could be there with you today too. It’s a really nice you’re doing in his honor and memory.
Happy Birthday to Wally at the Bridge. I know he was a special cat to you and he will always remain in your heart. This is a wonderful thing to do in his memory.
My oldest panther (12) has been diagnosed with the beginning of kidney disease.
Purrayers as we all remember handsome Wally.
All of us who have said goodbye to a beloved kitty or pet understand how you feel.
It does not take much to spark a memory. We send you lots of comforting purrs as you miss sweet Wally.
Purrs Georgia,Julie and JJ
Sending you hugs as you remember your sweet boy.Wally was loved by all. XO
Happy birthday to your angel Wally. Sending hugs to you as you remember your very special boy. That is such a wonderful way to honor him. xo
We so miss Wally. (tears in eyes) We’re not yet back online, but couldn’t not stop by on such a special day fur a special mancat. We detest kidney disease and that it takes our luvs from us too soon. This is a wonderful way to honor Wally’s memory. The tears will likely neer stop flowin’ when you think of him, but neither will the luv you shared. We’re sendin’ big hugs and purrayers.
Luv ya’
Dezi, Raena and mommy A
Oh, how we would love to have our furries back to celebrate and cuddle. This is a very nice way to remember Wally.
We miss Wally too. This is the purrfect tribute to such a special boy on his birthday. Sending you hugs and purrs.
He’s around, checking in on you.
I totally understand, I feel the same about my Calle=my house just isn’t the same without her…Donating is such a lovely tribute to your precious Wally; we miss that sweet, special boy too…Sending loud purrs, big hugs and much love to you, dear Sue…XO…J, Halle, Sukki
Happy Birthday in Heaven, handsome Wally=we hope you are joyfully playing with Calle, Mommy Cat and Daddy Cat, along with so many other friends, at the Bridge, sweetie…We love and miss you!…XO…J, Halle, Sukki
Your beautiful post brought tears to my eyes. Lots of us miss him so, so much and we only *knew* him through a computer screen, so we can only imagine how much you’re hurting.
We know exactly what you are going through! What a great mancat Wally was. Know he and Minchie are palling around at The Bridge and engaging in niptinis in birthday celebration. (((HUGS)))
Happy happy birthday in Rainbow Bridge dear Wally. I am sure you’re living it up there with all your dear friends.
Our orinj resident Buster is the same way – talks too much and carries long conversations, the very first to greet us at the door and would not let us do any chores until his belly is fully rubbed.
Happy Father’s Day!
Aw sweet Wally. Lots of love sweet boy in heaven
We miss that boy too. What a beautiful post to honor him. Purrs to you on this special day.
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you remember your sweet Wally. Happy birthday to your handsome orange angel. He will never be forgotten.
What a beautiful post for this special day ! Happy Birthday in heaven, Wally. Purrs and hugs to you all
Mom Sue, such a beautiful, touching post. What a special Mancat your Wally was. Lots of love and purrs to you and a Happy 16th to Wally in heaven.
A most special kitty deserves a most special birthday and having a commentathon to honor what would have been his 16th is a wonderful way to do it. It’s hard every day but I think that first birthday is maybe the hardest to get through – we’re that way about Sammy too. Wally was such a cutie and I know he was a very special boy in your family. Like you, if I could have one wish it would be to have Sammy back so he and Teddy could have known each other and been best buddies like Wally and Ernie. Sending you HUGE HUGS………I truly understand.
Love, Pam
Your post made my eyes fill. Thank you for letting me take this journey with you and Wally. He was a very special mancat, so blessed to have you loving him. <3
Hugs and purrs and love to you! Happy Birthday, Wally! We hope you are having the biggest celebration at the Bridge with Lita, Jewel, and all your other amazing (and very missed) friends!
Love and purrs for Angel Wally. Missing him too and all his handsomeness gracing your blog. I know what its like to lose a beloved baby and I think of my babies in Heaven all the time. Purrs and kitty hugs. Wally is there over the bridge waiting for you <3
(i did the other comment from my cell phone… it landed in the wrong spot MOL)
Wally reminded me of my kitty Rusty. Both full of personality. Miss them both.
Happy Birthday Wally! We miss you too, and understand what your mom is going through today. We are thinking of all our favorite memories of you today and know you are celebrating at the bridge with Scooter and Bogart.
Oh, this really made me tear up. What a special cat Wally was. Happy Birthday at the Bridge, Wally. Big hugs to you, Sue. ♥
what nice memories of wally. i can relate to what you are feeling… our house is definitely not the same without thompson.
Is it okay if I cheat, Ernie? Your mom will understand, right? It’s because I met Wally in the fur a couple of time (just like you and Zoey!), so I feel his loss too. Any cat that I’ve breathed the same air as, is kind of like ‘my’ cat too. Our atoms mixed together for a little while, so we are a part of each other.
We got tears in our eyes as we read your post. However, it is awesome of you to pay-it-forward in his memories to help other kitties. We think Wally would have loved that.
Happy Birthday Angel Wally! My heart breaks for your family’s pain at losing you. I lost my sweet baby Maxie on January 22, 2018. I’m sure you have met her. Love and purrs from Rachel, Junior, Lulu, Georgie and Penny ❤️❤️
Wally was special. We have two cats that look a lot like him and they are very special too. One of them is very vocal as well.
dood….yur mom rited an awesum tribute for ewe & two ewe N we noe itz knot eazee; N we understandz how her heartz iz a hurtin….we think itz total lee awesum what herz doin in yur honor N for de Winn Foundation ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ happee 16th dood ~~~~~~~
I do understand your reluctance to write about Wally ..
and what a way to tribute … a comment-a-thon
of course I must comment! I read often but hardly comment.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful kitties with me!
It’s hard to lose a special cat. I still miss my girl Minnie. Thanks for writing this great tribute to Wally!
I totally get what you said, it’s been five years since my Tony passed and I still tear up thinking about him. I got him during a particularly rough part of my life and he was there through the ups or downs. It’s hard when we lose our fur babies and we never seem to have enough time with them. I still remember the time that he somehow found the cupboard with the unopened bag of jerky while I was working. I come home to find he had ripped it open, ate all of it except for one piece he saved for me. I know hes over the rainbow bridge hanging with Wally and all the cats that have left our lives too soon.
We miss you Angel Wally!
It’s so unfair. And I know the pain never goes away. Wally was larger than life and he won’t be forgotten. He sold me on the beauty of gingers!
Happy Birthday to Wally at the Rainbow Bridge. He was such a special guy. I understand how you feel. I still miss my Cinco every day and it has been 3 years since he went to the Bridge. The Winn Feline Foundation is a pawsome organization. Great choice!
You are in our hearts forever, Wally. We couldn’t possibly forget you! Happy Birthday to you at the bridge. ❤️
We loved Wally too. I know I worry about my boys and girl getting that disease and hope that this commentathon helps with the search for a cure
Oh, Wally! Happy Birthday to you at the bridge. I don’t recall ever seeing a kitten photo of him. What a sweet baby. Hugs to you!
A special Happy Birthday to a very special guy, Wally.
We understand completely. Soft purrs and gentle hugs.
Taffeta Rose had to leave on Mother’s Day. June 4 – her adoption date – was celebrated as her birthday.
what a wonderful and sweet post. Happy Birfday dear Wally. purrs,
pip, minnie, hollie, sharpie, ditto, TL
Wonderful precious Wally we all miss you.x
We’ll love Wally forever, too. He was a very special ginger boy and we loved seeing him here. Thank you for sharing him and your special bond with all of us. *waves paws to Wally in the sky*
I have to tell you how very sorry I am for the loss of Wally. I thought I’d already commented and I apologize for not doing so before today.
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