Buddy's Ornaments

Christmas decorations are light this year due to life things and having two curious kittens. 

Check out the Instagram post on Buddy's Ornament. https://instagram.com/p/BdGwT2bFMEM/

With Buddy he showed curiosity when we put up the tree and started decorating, the one thing he did when he was younger was hide and nap under the tree behind all of our White Kmart Christmas bears. 

Over the years Buddy always had this spot by the bathroom, where he would often lay just because and one year I had won a Christmas carpet. Buddy loves it! I think maybe because it was red or it was just on the floor. 

The little carpet mat was penguins, so each year we would bring it out and replace the brown/tan mat with the Christmas for a few weeks. He claims it as his own, we have it out where the sun shine through our kitchen to little hallway and Buddy would lay to get some sun. 

I think it was the first or second year that we had Buddy, we were decorating the tree and I was putting ornaments on the bottom of the tree. He came over to check things out and he found this little lamb that I had just hung.

He swatted off the lamb and took it in his mouth and walked away from it, playing with it. From then on we knew that he claimed that ornament as his own. So Buddy had his own ornament, as the years went by I think he forgotten about that little lamb unless we show him with a direct interest in it. 

To this day we'll still call that Lamb his . . . 

Merry Christmas from Buddy's Backyard

Keeping this sweet and short,

Merry Christmas to everyone!

The turkeys (the girls) were here enjoying their daily meal, a few were a little spooked when there are two of us outside feeding everyone. Three flew great length from point A to point B (which is across the street)

Copper and Coal enjoyed their first Christmas and are taking a nap after all the excitement, I'm off to read a book and relax.

See you guys in the New Year!

Antlers, Antlers, Antlers & Antlers!!!

Today presented with some very interesting visitors . . .

We already knew that we were getting Bucks, but we did not expect to see FOUR bucks!!!!! Seeing four bucks have been unheard of for Buddy's Backyard.

I was coming home from work when I saw that our first two bucks were coming to the backyard, Dad was currently putting food out at this time. The larger buck saw Dad in the garden (which is their direct route to the backyard most of the time), he was looking at him curiously as Dad was putting food out. This Buck clearly have seen Dad before because he stood just outside of the garden, dad chatted with him as he saw the others in the near distance.

The others took off when I had to backup in the driveway, but the one still stayed even as I backup and was able to get out of my car to take some pictures on my phone. Then he watch the others go back behind the baseball field and decided to go get them and bring them back to Buddy's Backyard.

We waited, keeping an eye out for their return. We saw the largest one first but then I saw what I thought was the second buck that we had been seeing but then I saw the antlers were different. LO and Behold!!! It was an different buck along with seeing yet another! So all in total FOUR Bucks with different points!!!

Follow the pictures!!!

 The Two Pointer

 The 8 Pointer

The Four Pointer

Some more pictures of the second 8 pointers

The next few photos are the first 8 pointer (He's much larger in size compare to the second 8 pointer)

 Some more of the four pointer

I hope you enjoyed all the amazing photos I got before it got too dark!!

It's Cold Out!!!

We're starting to get the cold! Plus the snow . . .

It's time for another "A Day in Buddy's Life"

Buddy would still take full advantage of staying outside on his porch, he has a thicker coat than Copper and Coal. Right now Copper is the only one that is interested in the porch, but I think once Spring comes and we start introducing Coal to the porch world. But who knows maybe Copper will get him to go out with him.

I still wish Buddy was here of course, Buddy would make us begged him to come in the house from the porch. Sometimes he would come in on his own or when we finally tell him that it's time to come in. He would scurry in when he did get too cold, other times he would take his time leaving us standing barefoot or jacketless waiting for him to come in.

We would still the breakfast routine out on the porch, some dairy and some daddy and me time before dad heads to the back to feed the backyard. 

When we got snow the first day, it was light flurries hardly covering the grass. Buddy would tempt to walk outside. He always love to check his outside, even when there's is snow on the steps but he need to smell that winter cold air. He would stick his nose up at the snow because that mean the end of walking outside. 

Snow equals wet feet. 

I think he spends a lot of his time watching the birds borrows in our huge branches that grows baby breaths and there's another type of tree mixed with it. They love to chat and I think they also gather in there to keep warm. I can't tell you how many ends up in there during the day. 

Other times Buddy would try to sleep but we would tell him no because it's too cold out and he can get sick. He did during the last two brutal winters, he would sneeze on most times, there been a few times where he get the chills but that's when we knew he was not feeling well. 

I would like to do more of A Day in Buddy's Life more often, the holidays this year is extremely busy and BIG!! I have tons of upcoming family gatherings and such. So please bare with me as I'm continuously being absent. 

XOXO 

BUDDY

Two months passed . . .

I'm a few days late on this post . . .

Buddy been gone for two whole months, it's still hard to believe that he's not here. Sometimes I wake up and kind of expect him to be somewhere in the house. Maybe what I'm sensing is him watching over us and taking a peek at the two kittens we NOW have in our house.

I am keeping a journal and writing letters to Buddy, I don't write it in every day. But I will write in it from time to time when a memory comes across or a photo sparks a memory. But I'll write to him anytime because to me that one way of keeping his memory alive along with the photos and videos.

SPEAKING of a PHOTO . . . The drawing of Buddy is finally Framed! and it couldn't have turned out any better. Even my parents were in awe in the photo. I knew that picking that frame and had a little help from michaels on Matte colors although I pick one of the matte colors. It's perfect.

Here's the link to the Instagram post of Buddy's picture on the wall. https://instagram.com/p/BcaEi5PlNuj/

I'm terrible at taking pictures lately, but many of you have seen Copper. Coal is our newest addition and he's an all black kitten. Coal is exactly the same age as Copper, I didn't expect that we would find someone that is born within two days of Copper.

It took awhile to find kitten number two after hitting a few road block, but now we have a second kitten. I think secretly we will still keep our eyes out for Buddy in recarnation, I don't know what we would do if we did ended up with a third kitten. But I think our hearts and Buddy will guide us to the right decisions.

Copper is a little bully to Coal, but I think Coal is starting to grow in wanting to smack Copper in the face when he had enough.

Coal is a very lovey dovey kitten, he does like to play but is always wondering where Copper is 90% of the time. But we're working on it. Coal loves attention, he still hadn't gotten used to being a on bed yet even though I place him on the bed with me.

I know it will take time and patience, so be patient with me on sharing pictures. I am busy with other things in life and the holidays are coming up!

With Love,
Kat

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours . . . Although this year will be different because Buddy isn't here with us. But Copper will get his full share of turkey when we eat our thanksgiving dinner. Copper already loves going to the porch, even though he'll come running in because it's cold out and he doesn't have a thicker coat on.

The Girls (Turkeys) are still coming! We still have grass, but it's getting colder and the days are getting shorter. This weekend my parents and I are going to get our real Tree for Christmas and we will need to figure out how to introduce Copper to the idea that a tree will be in the house for at least a month or more.

Copper is also very curious about the Turkeys and about outside because my dad and I go out there twice a day. When spring comes we will take Copper and Kitten #2 out for their first walk. We're still looking for Kitten #2, but I hope to find one before Christmas.

While Dad and I were outside raking on Monday, I brought out Buddy to be outside with us like he usually would on a day like Monday. It was 48 degree! I know Buddy enjoyed it and Copper is curious.

A Special Drawing

So while I was doing some cleaning getting all prepared to bring in the spirit of Christmas into the house. Don't worry we won't start decorating until after Thanksgiving.

Anyways I came across a few mementos of Buddy, one is a drawing that a local artist did while I had attend a Cat Show a few years back. Anyone who wanted a drawing of their pets should bring in a photo and he'll draw them. I pick this picture because this was his face when he get photographed and was sniffing the air. '

Plus we were outside when I took this photo, it was unusually warm for that time of year but we took Buddy out on his walk. I told the artist to not make Buddy any fatter than he already is and the artist laugh and said he won't make him any fatter than Buddy already was. When I picked up the drawing, I couldn't believe how much of Buddy he got. Like it's Buddy in a character cartoon drawing!

I had always intended to get it frame right away but the size of the drawing was unusually funky which made it harder to find a frame. Plus I kept forgetting the size! So When I came across it again and Michaels happens to have an 70% off Custom Framing, I took this opportunity to take the drawing in and have it framed.

The actual photo .... And yes he does have some white chest fur!! I'm surprise that the camera picked it up so well. We would always see it from time to time. 

Buddy as a Cartoon! 

I went into Michaels and got the drawing Framed. I can't wait to see the results of it all comes together. It won't be ready for two weeks but I can't wait to see the final product of this drawing. The next step is to figure out where we will hang it.

One month passed . . .

It's so hard to believe that Buddy passed away a month ago. We still miss him everyday as well everything about him.

I know many people say this, "our cat is one of a kind" and it's true. Buddy was one of a kind to us, we saw him grow up as well my parents watched me grow up. He was there for a lot of things for us, he also needed us to care for him.

Bringing Copper into our household gave us a different atmosphere, he's this very playful kitten with a lot of curiosity plus I think he's half a dog. He keeps us on our toes!

Copper won't replace Buddy and neither will kitten #2, but they will help us mend our broken hearts and open our heart to loving them just as much as we did with Buddy.

Sadly it's getting colder out for Copper to be on the porch, he almost doesn't want too because he doesn't have enough "coat" on him to keep warm from the cold. Buddy would stay out on the porch for as long as he can until either (A) we bring him in or (B) he comes in willingly. Usually it's A that gets Buddy to come into the house, then he would either go to Daddy for belly rubs and warm snuggles or he'll go on his heated pad.

If you been following Instagram, I had posted a picture of a Frame that I'm going to use for Buddy. But I was so stuck on which photo to pick until I decided why just pick one photo? Why not 12 photos? One for each month of the year, that way we see different moments of Buddy.

I've had two of my gals tell me that I should do a Buddy Calendar, I hadn't really thought of that because I was thinking about doing an Buddy's Backyard Calendar featuring all the wildlife. But I may consider doing a Buddy Calendar.

For now enjoy watching my Instagram account because I've been doing #BuddyMemories at least every couple of days or every other day, depending on what I am doing.

Here's a fun video of Buddy playing with real Catnip from outside, it's that right time of season in the video to what's the weather is like now with all the leaves falling.

Turkeys . . . oh my!

It's been hard without Buddy around, but the family and I did bring a Kitten into the household. We're working on getting a second kitten but are hitting a setback with the shelter having their cats in quarantine due to a cold going around. Once we get the second one, I'll share a duo picture. Right now Kitten number one is named Copper.

In other news, we been having a large group visit Buddy's backyard . . . 24 female turkeys. Yes 24 turkeys at once. We lost Gunther awhile back, we're unsure what happen with him or where he went, but he had stopped coming to Buddy's backyard.

If you been following my Instagram account, I posted a video of our turkeys as well as photos. Copper is curious about these big birds, he's curious about everything and anything.

I'm still trying to post a blog on here every now and then, but with Buddy's passing and me working a lot. I'm grateful to have the Instagram account to share all thing Buddy's backyard. So please bare with me on the inactivity on this blog, but do follow my Instagram account @katsassynature.

A day like today

A Day in Buddy's Life

Today was one of those days where Buddy would demand to be outside . . . this is his typical weather. When I got done with work at 4pm, I took a glance at the temperature and knew that this day is a typical going on a walk day. 

I was going to carry him to his spot(s) around the house, but the herd of turkeys were here. I can still carry him to his spot(s) tomorrow before it rains.

MEOW . . . . MEOW

Looking at the backdoor leading to outside, Daddy out there.

Sniff the back porch . . . the devils leave a stink.

Which way to go? Left or Right?

I take RIGHT . . . might do a little business around the corner of the house.

Mom is following me and taking pictures. Making a loop around the house and passed the steps because I'm not ready to go inside.

I walk across this hard gravel . . . taking one step at a time, sometimes I follow the dirt path. I sit in my favorite spot in the tall grass. MMM maybe I'll eat some grass and make mom mad. There's a breeze and I close my eyes and sniff the air. 

I might take a nap . . . by choice I'll walk to the steps because I'm ready to go back inside for breakfast. But first my neck scratches and my harness is off. 

The humans feed me my dairy and provide water. I'm satisfied and is ready for my long day of napping.

In other news . . . I told Buddy that we will be bringing in our first kitten out of two tomorrow to his house. We're kind of on a hold to adopt a pet from the shelter due to a quarantine among the cats, but a friend of ours had a litter of kitten and had one that she hadn't found a home yet. So we're going to be taking him and then we'll look for a sibling/playmate once the quarantine is lifted at the shelter.

Once we as a family figure out a name that we can all agree on, I'll share it on Instagram.

Stay TUNED!!!

In loving memory . . .

This is the hardest post I had ever had to write . . .

Buddy our furbaby/our dearly beloved family member passed away Wednesday morning October 4th, 2017 in his home, we as a family have been dealing with his illness for two weeks. We were trying everything to make him better, but basically what had happen he stopped eating and drinking. We managed to get him to eat and drink after trying different medications, but still he passed away.

You can't know how heartbroken we are of this, but we're glad that it was at home and not at the expense of the vet out of his surrounding. I cried pretty much all morning along with my parents, both my mom and I had to work, but going to work was tough.

We wrapped him in his favorite blankets and walked him around the house one last time, we took him to the vet to be cremated. We knew Buddy's time would come, but we just weren't ready and no one ever is. I love him to death and miss him dearly, I have an empty void in my heart because of him.

Buddy will never be replaceable, he was our world for 16 and a half years. Now without him, we feel lost and alone. The house feel cold and empty without him, although the weather is getting colder but without him it's even colder.

My family and I are looking at adopting two kittens sooner rather than later. I always worry that it's too soon to be looking, but I believe it's part of the healing process. Buddy wouldn't want us to be coming to an empty house.

I'll keep this blog open under his name, he's the reason why I started this blog. I will use Instagram to post pictures of Buddy through the years. If I can find a way to post any of the videos I have of him, I'll share those too.

He will never be forgotten. He won't ever be replaced, he is in our hearts.

Speaking of being close to and in our hearts, one of my great friends who also adore Buddy gifted me this amazing gift. I wear it all the time, except for at night when I sleep. But this is my new routine in the morning is putting this necklace on. 

Buddy 

04/01/2001 ~ 10/04/2017

Instagram

Buddy's Backyard is now on Instagram . . . don't worry I'll still blog here but at least now I have the freedom of posting all different kind of backyard photos without the need to write something.


Remember Pictures are worth a thousand words and a thousand expressions


You can find me at KatSassyNature,