As most of you know, we lost Chris Saturday afternoon. We knew his time with us was limited but we still hoped for at least another year. I at least thought he would see his fifteenth Gotch Day in November.
I am grateful to the many people who reached out and offered prayers when they learned Chris was not doing well, and condolences after he passed. As most of you know, losing a beloved pet is very difficult but knowing there are people who really care about you softens the blow.
I would like to thank Ann from Zoolatry for first creating this graphic when she learned Chris wasn’t doing well.
A few hours later she made this beautiful memorial for Chris.
I thought this would be a good time to take a stroll down memory lane, starting with the first two known photos of Chris taken October 3, 2009, when I talked my wife into coming into the shelter where I volunteered to meet Chris.
We didn’t adopt him then. We had a cruise coming up in October and then Rose had to go to a managers meeting. In the meantime, Chris was adopted by someone else. He annoyed his first adoptive parents so much that they returned him the next day. The fact that a five to six-month-old kitten could not get adopted was unusual and lucky for us as well as Chris, because I don’t know many people who could have put up with him in those early years.
Here is a video of him when we brought him home. We didn’t do what we should have done and introduce him to our cats slowly. Instead, we let him loose and he immediately took over. As you can see, Chris was not a shy cat.
I believe this is the first photo I have of him in our new home.
Three hours later he cozied up to Rose on the sofa.
He quickly became friendly with our other cats. Our black cat, Flash, is not in this picture, nor do I have a photo of him with Chris. It’s too bad because he died the following April.
Chris would often insert himself where he wasn’t invited.
While he could be highly annoying to both cats and people, he was also funny and entertaining.
He could also be very cute.
What stood out the most about Chris was his affectionate nature. He was always a very touchy-feely cat. He was the only cat I ever knew that liked to be hugged.
Of course, there were plenty of things he did to earn the name Bad Cat Chris.
Chris was with us for almost fifteen years. There is way too much to remember in one post. I will post part two soon.
Bad Cat Chris 
Chris was most definitely one of a kind and kept you and Rose on your toes (and the other cats too!). His adventures sure gave you a lot to blog about…..and I bet looking back you are ever so happy the first people who adopted him returned him – I think he was MADE for you and your family…….He leaves a VERY LARGE hole in the atmosphere there I’m sure. It takes time…..
Hugs, Pam and Teddy too
Even with Frankie and Floki here, the house feels so empty. I think we were meant to be together because we were the only ones capable of putting up with him. 🙂
I was just telling someone else I miss him annoying me before bedtime.
Those are wonderful memories. I would of loved a kitty like Chris. Hugs.
We were lucky to find him.
Oh my goodness: you & Rose have to be the luckiest pet parents ever to have “gotcha-ed” the most annoying, feisty, amusing, go-anywhere, get into everything, little troublemaker kit ever! And hold onto all those fun memories, they are priceless … as hard as it was to say farewell, he sure gave you his best shot, didn’t he! And now he’s off somewhere new … probably starting a whole new life of annoyance! Good for him, Good Cat Chris!
It was like we were given a ticket to a new life filled with adventure.
I enjoyed every one of these videos. I can see he was very very well loved. I knew he had to be after reading about him yesterday. And you are one of the best cat dads out there. Your patience is something that I wish many others shared.
Thanks. Chris was a lot of work, but the rewards were great.
Very cool cat. I’ve always loved that picture of Abby “yelling” at him. At least you’ll always have a treasure trove of wonderful memories. (Doesn’t help the pain now, I know.)
Those memories are better than gold.
Am so very, very sorry.
Thanks so much.
My deepest condolences. Thank you for sharing Chris with us over the years. He was one of a kind.
He sure was. thank you.
Once again, I am so sorry. I know there is a big Chris-size hole in your heart. May these memories of him help ease the sadness you feel.
Thank you. After looking through pictures and videos, I realized how many great memories I have of him.
chris really loved you both
Chris loved everyone and everyone loved Chris.
chris…thoz…. “furst peepulz”…. loss…yur awesum mom and dads gain …♥♥ we rememburr when ya took out dadz leg !!! we iz honored ta call ewe friend and will never forget ya buddy ~~~ the perch tree fotoz oh all three oh ewe iz de best !!
Thank you. I appreciate you.
Chris was hilarious. He gave an entirely new meaning to that game of “I’ve got your nose!” The photo of Abbey annoyed with Chris is so funny. Such a great catch.
Thanks. He was one of a kind
Aww, baby Chris! It’s weird seeing pictures of him with an orange cat who is much larger. Lots of lovely memories of the gorgeous boy. 🧡🧡🧡
It’s funny because Chris was a lighter color than Tigger when he was little. When he got older he became bigger and darker and looked a lot like Tigger.
Such a unique and special boy with his happiness in finding his very special family to love him unconditionally. Those losses are the toughest but the happy memories are amazing.
I think of all the people in the world who never had a cat like Chris and realize how lucky we were.
Beautiful tribute to beloved Chris. He was such a love. How cute that he used to insert himself between the other cats at nap time.
He really was a funny boy.
So many good memories. Thank you for sharing Chris with us all this time.
It was good for me too because all these stories help me remember.
Awww, marvelous moments to remember Chris by. Purrs.
Thanks. They were good memories.
Even if annoying, he was adorable. My Ollie bites me, sometimes. So many distinct kitty personalities. You have a library of him and your other babies. You can carry them all with you…like I do.
That is so true.
Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss. I’ve been offline a bit since the granddaughter was born Saturday and just finally catching up on the news.
Chris was one of a kind and my heart aches for everyone who knew and loved him.
Thanks and congrats on the birth of your granddaughter. It feels like the circle of life.
We are so very sorry for your loss. He was adorable and wonderful his antics will live on in the stories you tell. Purrs of sympathy and paws of comfort from all of us at ATCAD
Thanks. I appreciate it.
we are so sad … but with your blog, you made so much good memories together and now we can read and watch with a smile while our tears are running…
Thank you. I’m sure in 30 years I will read this blog and remember what a wonderful time it was.
I’m so sorry thaty Chris had to make his ‘hourney’. May all those wonderful and fun memories sustain you now. It is SO hard to say these kinds of goodbyes.
I made a memento for you in his honor and posted it in our blog, and sent it to you as well, in a comment, on your FB page.
❤️🥰
Oopsie, that should be ‘journey’…my fingers are too big for the keyboard…
😊
Thanks so much. I appreciate you.
Wee are furry sorry fore THE loss of Bad Cat Chris! Hee sure was a paw-full of fun an shee-naniganss. May all yore postss an fotoss’ an videoss’ comfert you Mistur Charless an Miss Rose durin this diffycult time. Bad Cat Chris run free inn Purr Land…. You will bee reememburred!
***purrss*** BellaDharma an ((hugss)) BellaSita Mum “THE Purrfect Pad“
Thanks much.
Yore furry wellcome Mistur Charless an Miss Rose. Wee nose this iss a ruff time for you both.
Yes, it sure is. Thanks again.
I am so happy you did this post. Chris was such a character, which is why I think so many of us loved him so much. I remember many of these photos and videos but I particularly enjoyed seeing the “Overly Affectionate Cat” one again. He was so handsome. I’m so happy he didn’t work out with the first people who adopted him, so that he could be with you and Rose. It was meant to be. (((hugs)))
I think I first saw Chris at the shelter in September. We adopted him the middle of October. It was amazing that a kitten would last that long at a shelter. We are very lucky it was like it was meant to be.
I’m not sure if I said October but I meant November.