One of my favorite pets of all time passed away recently. Braveheart was the most personable
cat I have ever had and his sudden illness at the age of six years old was a shock. I wanted to
pass on some photos of him to give you just a small hint about the unique pet that he was.
The photo that started it all in 1999. This photo of Braveheart and his sister was provided to me by a former co-worker who had taken them in after a neighbor saved them from some kids who appeared intent on burying them alive. |
Bravey resting on the couch with his sister. He's looking less and less like a kitten in less than a year. |
One of Bravey's "things" was laying on, or preferably in, luggage. It was a given that at some point in packing for a trip you'd leave the room or turn around for a moment and there he'd be. |
His other "thing" was sleeping standing up. When he was young he'd sit straight up just like this, close his eyes, and sleep for minutes on end. He'd even occassionally droop over or quickly jerk to attention before falling over and then proceed to sit straight up and close his eyes again. After a more iterations of this he'd finally lay down. |
Bravey being roused from his sit up sleeping. He eventually stopped doing this altogether as he got older, and wiser I presume. |
This is an odd posture for a cat to assume. He seemed to enjoy laying down on parts of people. If I were sitting on the couch with my arm along the the back he'd like to sit up there and make sure that he laid ON my arm, not just near it. |
Is this a cute cat, or what? Bravey loved hopping into a laundry basket, whether it had clothes in it or not. Here he found a basket full of bedsheets to his liking. |
Bravey and Pepper sleeping on a chair. The siblings were fantastic companions and often sleep together curled up in a tight ball. Unfortunately, neither got along with Penny's cat GiGi. |
Sitting on a chair. Here in 2001 Bravey really resembles his mature self as he leaves kittenhood behind. Bravey was famous for his nose rubs. If you'd put your face near his he'd press the bridge of his nose to your face and press forward and down rubbing his forehead on your nose. It was a special treat for all who got them, even at the risk of breaking a nose due to his enthusiasm. |
Bravey resting on a sofa cushion sniffing the air. This gives a good view of one of his signature marks, the black patch under his left chin. |
Pepper, Bravey and GiGi together in harmony, at least for the moment. All three share a sun spot at one of the only windows in the house without solar screens. |
Bravey knew how to relax (once he figured out how to lay down when sleeping). The proper place to lay on ones back and take a nap was in the center of the room. Penny begins to ape Bravey to try and learn the secret of his technique. |
Throw a sofa cushion on the floor and Bravey will most likely go and lay on it. Penny called this Bravey's "Princess Pillow" and I had to stand up for him. |
Like most cats, Bravey liked boxes and took every opportunity to lounge in, under or within them. Here Bravey and GiGi relax between pitched battles over possession of the high ground. |
What's behind this door? Cats are curious and that was true in spades with Bravey. He had a remarkable, and annoying, ability to open doors, particularly the handle variety used throughout our house. When left out we'd often come home to a house with practically every single door opened up. Thankfully outside doors were never cracked by him. |
Bravey was very affectionate, but not an attention hog. He picked his moments and came up big when it counted. When he came to sit on your lap you staid put, not wanting to waste the opportunity. |
Probably the last photo taken of Bravey. Here he sits under a pile of envelopes as I was tearing stamps off for my collection. Both he and Pepper seemed content to be buried. This photo was included in our 2004 Christmas card mailing. |
One thing that I did not notice until after Bravey was gone - there is not a single picture
of him and me together, something I regret. Rest in peace Bravey!
