This month marks five years since we lost Jake. We never forget especially a feisty, peculiar cat like Jake. When he passed, Gracie joined us. He would have approved because she’s as quirky as he was. Here is a tribute from a few years back.
Cats have a language all their own. There are surprises along the way like when I heard but didn’t recognize Morgan’s hunting cries last week. I can interpret most of them.
Jake – my old, now deceased, cat was the most vocal and interesting. He was from the ‘hood…or maybe Jersey or New York. (He sounded like something out of the Rocky franchise or maybe Good Fellas.)
He had a few good lines. For one thing he called me “Cupcake.” I have no idea why. Maybe because I was reading the Stephanie Plum detective series when he was younger. (He read occasionally or maybe he was just putting his scent or hacking a hairball on my books.)
Here are some of his gems:
Yo Cupcake, grab me a tuna juice from the fridge. Can’t move. The chipmunks running Olympic trials out there. Maybe they need a judge. I could use a snack.
(This one to Morgan) Hey Toots, get your nose outta my business. You know I can spray, doncha?
(To Mollie, the first new cat after he was here. She tried to teach him about the birds and bees before we got her spayed. Fortunately he already had his business snipped and wasn’t interested. This was overheard shortly after Morgan joined the crew.) Hey Molls, waddya think of the new kid? Kinda pain in the ass, doncha think?
(To anyone in general) Cool dude has arrived! I can take your presents now. Bring ‘em on.
(To the staff) What? Service on strike around here? I haven’t eaten in over an hour. I’m diabetic. I need my food. Pronto!
(To anyone with a camera) Damn paparazzi! Are you from Cat Fancy? Be sure to get my name right. I am not Morris! Morris is a red cat. I’m a black panther cat. Send the check to my agent. Include Friskie samples and no damn diet stuff either.
(To anyone sitting) Hey yo! You’re in my chair. (Didn’t matter which chair. Whichever one you were in was the one he wanted.)
Aw Jake, may he rest in peace. There aren’t many cats like him.
Even as an elder, Jake had presence. (and definitely that accent)
That first picture is frameworthy.
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He was young there — maybe 1 or 2 years old. Very quick and curious. Oh yeah, and bossy!
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What a handsome boy, and what a personality! We always remember them after they leave us, particularly those who are so distinctive 🙂
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He was a character. He was notorious although when he was young he hid from strangers. As he aged he was more willing to come out.
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Feisty is good – in women and pets … who wants to be a milquetoast. Jake had some radical thoughts, but he was a cat with a lot of personality from this dialogue.
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He did and he was very vocal about his opinions!
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Wish I could have known him, he seems cool. I bet he’s one of the most popular cats in Heaven right now!
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I’m sure he has a posse!
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I bet he does! I’m probably not cool enough to hang out with him. But I bet he was so nice he would let me anyway!
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He would. He would train you.
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What a special guy. Jake was one f a kind.
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I still miss him.
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😦 I’m so sorry.
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Nice tribute to a special boy.
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Thanks for sharing your memories. Cats are so very special.
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Thanks. You would have liked Jake. He has personality.
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I’ve loved all your cats and enjoy reading about them.
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I still believe that Jake was a suburban legend!
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🙂 Honest he really existed except for quirky people that he thought were bizarre!
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Jake sounds marvelous and especially unforgettable, Kate. And I completely understand staying sad about cats of the past.
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We were best buds!
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Jake was so cute. I bet he brought you many good and interesting moments
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He was so much fun to write about.
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Thanks for sharing about Jake. I wasn’t around then, so it was nice to meet him. Hugs in remembering and missing him.
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Thanks. He was one in a million.
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What a love. Sounds like a dude from Westside Story or Bill from the Bronx….I miss Jake.
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I do too. He had an attitude that commanded obedience.
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Jake sounds like a real hoot. I love his “voice”. No wonder you still miss him, “Cupcake” 😁. I can see how his large personality left an equally large hole behind.
🤗,
Deb
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I love all my cats but there are a few that stand out and he is one of them.
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He does sound like something out of the Burg! (Only considerably less horny.)
I always imagined my dog Woofie’s voice to be the Rottweiler from “Over the Fence:” “Play? Play? Play!”
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🙂 Some cats have a specific voice. I think Sasha sounds a lot like Fran Dresher.
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Sounds like he was one cool cat!!
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He was so fun to write about.
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I bet you often said (as we often do about our dog Casey) that you couldn’t imagine life without Jake. I’m glad you have such rich memories.
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It took a long time to adjust because he was so bigger than life. At the end he wasn’t in the best health and that’s the only thing that made it easier. He was the last indoor-outdoor cat which brought it’s own set of trials and tribulations.
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He sounded like quite the character. And charming as all get-out. Tender thoughts as you recall days with Jake.
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Thanks! He was a very quirky cat.
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Hi, Kate – Sadly, I wasn’t following any blogs when Jake was around. Still. I feel that I know him. Thank you for sharing this with us.
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He gave me some of my best posts!
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Wow, so hard to believe it’s five years Kate. I remember so well. as I’d just started following you.
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So hard to believe. Since then both Hazel and Mollie are gone. The three were that first cats at this house.
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Morgan is the head cat now, yes, then Gracie, then Sasha and now Gus.
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Don’t tell Sasha that. She thinks she’s the queen.
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ha!
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Jake sounds like a character alright…..I have always LOVED that cats (and dogs) can have such developed and interesting personalities. I’ve known cats from all along the spectrum – introverted to crazy fun. It’s just wonderful how they interact with us.
Hugs, Pam
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He was not introverted but he didn’t take to people right away either. Some friends don’t think he ever existed as they never saw him yet he could be in your face sometimes.
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Our pets are with us forever, whether they’ve been “gone” for five years or ten. Our Henry died seven years ago, but sometimes we still find him snoring at our feet as we watch TV. (yeah, weird). Hugs and love to the memory of Jake.
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Yes, I know that feeling too.
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Wonderful tribute, Kate. Man, it’s hard to believe it’s been 5 years. How did we all not age? 🙂
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I certainly didn’t age, did you? Looking at the picture of the beloved husband was a bit of a shock as he is way more gray now. We won’t discuss wrinkles at all.
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Nope! Well, maybe. Yesterday I was diagnosed with De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. I think the pain has added another 20 years! 😦
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Oh no! You have enough on your plate without that.
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Just sucking it up, Kate. 🙂
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Before Tigger, we had two half siblings ~ Jazz and Cayenne. Jazz & Jake = 2 peas of a pod. Jazz had snazzitude. So did Jake! RIP to both of the best kitties eva.
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You never talked about those two kitties. I remember Tigger. RIP to them all.
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They have a brief mention in only 2 posts . . . here’s one if you’re interested:
https://nrhatch.wordpress.com/2013/06/19/dont-train-us-well-train-you/
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I remembered the post but not the cats. I once tried a leash on a cat a long time ago. She hunkered down and turned into 100 lbs. of cement.
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your Jake was a wonderful friend… and now I have your Jake in my mind if I ever read a book from j. evanovich ;O)
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I always think of him when I read her books! Or when I sit in a chair. Or when the catnip plant gets big (he was the last indoor-outdoor cat, the others aren’t allowed out).
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I loved Jake, Kate. He had a big personality and he had a lot to say. He had a most wonderful life with you and your husband. Sorry I have been inconsistent at visiting but we got some busy going on 🙂 I have read this post several times… it makes me laugh and warms my heart.
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I still miss Jake. You really never forget. I was having a sad Mollie week too. This marks the time last year when she had her first ER vet visit.
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I understand the sads, Kate… I really do. We don’t forget. I think about our Z Cat every day. Hugs and scritches to the Sassy Cats.
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❤
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Jake sounds like a gem! Your narrations help paint a picture of his personality. My husband had a cat named Jarvis back in his 20’s and the stories he tells about him are so fun to listen to. He really loved that cat and no other cat since can quite measure up to Jarvis. Cheers to all our furry friends who bring so much joy to our lives!
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All cats are special but some stay with you. I have so many stories of Jake like the first time he figured out that the front door and back door go into the same house. OMG! It was hysterical.
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