Ivan and Konrad

My sister tells her story about Ivan who was originally her cat.  My brother-in-law tells his story about Konrad who was originally his cat.

In my sister’s words:
My getting Ivan was simple - I was a 19 yr old college girl and decided I wanted a cat.  So I went and got a free kitten one day - nothing too exciting and nothing monumental either since we always had pets when we were kids. (I say nothing monumental except that Ivan & I were clearly soulmates & of course that was why I came across him specifically).  When my husband and I got together, permanently, we became a blended family - my Ivan and his Konrad. Konrad was such a sensitive cat. I think his personality combined with being with Ivan his entire life was just too much stress for him when Ivan got sick. He loved Ivan dearly and would so often snuggle with him. They were best friends and spent nearly all their lives together. We lost Ivan, and then Konrad got sick with grief and we lost him 3 months later. Ivan was 18 1/2 and Konrad was 14.

 In my brother-in-law’s words:
Although I had met quite a few cats in my life, due to family allergies, I did not grow up with any pets at all. Well, except for a goldfish or two (but do those really count?). I didn't have the best experiences with cats so I tended to avoid them. I also had friends that had dogs and I figured that I would get a dog at some point in the future because I thought that they were pretty cool. Well, in my late 20's, when I met my (now) wife, the first time I went over to her house, I met Ivan. As my wife will tell you, he came right up to me to say hello and lacking a lot of experience, I didn't know what to do. All I could get out was, "Can I touch it?" One can imagine that my ignorance did not go over that well. Over the next few months, I really got to know Ivan, a big fluffy black cat with a huge personality. I constantly thought of excuses to get over to my wife's apartment so I could hang out with Ivan. I soon decided that due to the fact that I was living alone and on account of my very positive experience with my new buddy Ivan, I needed to get a cat for myself.

I alerted a good friend of mine that was an animal person that I was looking to maybe get a cat. I also started checking out various adoption centers (this was before the web was a big deal). A very young neighborhood gray tabby visited my friend’s doorstep multiple times a day and she soon alerted me that a "perfect first cat" was awaiting me. I fell in love with him at first sight.

Taking on that kind of responsibility was incredibly overwhelming at first. I thought that a cat was going to basically be a stuffed animal that I had to feed on occasion and otherwise, he would just do whatever I wanted. Fat chance. I soon found my way, and Konrad and I bonded big time. Fast forward almost a year and my wife and I eventually moved to another city together, meaning a merger of both Konrad and Ivan. It wasn't all bliss immediately, as they were two alpha males with their own agendas for sure, but they soon established their own boundaries and became best buds. Through all of the good times (and some less than good times) over the next 13 years, they remained close. Ivan became ill over the holidays and we lost him early this year. It was devastating for us, but it was equally devastating for Konrad, who in turn, became ill and soon passed away himself. Obviously, these two boys were meant to be together both in life and death. For us humans, especially having to go through it for the first (and second) time in my life, I do not wish this on anyone.

Writing this, albeit, brief reflection is difficult, but with all of the love and support from family and friends, we are moving forward. We are also focusing on all of the good times, which far far outweigh the bad. The best remedy of all has been the joy of having three new, amazing, cats from your shelter - Hazel (Alice), Boris (Handsome) and Olaf (Possum). They have done much to soothe a broken heart and to remind that life does indeed go on.

But, as for the boys, we do give the bricks in their memory and know that they will never be forgotten.

                                                      Ivan (left) and Konrad (right).

My sister ends with:
HBO (as they are lovingly known - for Hazel, Boris, and Olaf) have truly saved us from despair. They are such wonderful cats, each with such a unique personality . The first time we went on vacation since adopting HBO, we were nervous because we didn't know how they would do. Since we'd never left them (except for one night) and we were going to be gone for a whole week, we asked our petsitter to email us with updates.  After just a couple of days she was telling us how wonderful they all were. Olaf wasn't afraid of her at all and did totally fine the entire time. He didn't hide or anything, but played with her & wanted attention. Seems he is just fine now.  He is not scared at all since settling into his permanent home. [Olaf (Possum) hid from my sister and brother-in-law both times they visited the cathouse, but they adopted him anyway.]   I wish more people could understand this about cats that hide at first. I think they just need some stability in their lives and then they are fine. I hate thinking that no one would have adopted him because he always hid.  He is super loving (both to humans and to his brother & sister) - a sweet cat with a very eccentric personality.  Hopefully, somebody reading this will consider adopting one of your  “more shy” cats.  It certainly worked for us.

              Hazel (Alice) up front.  Boris (Handsome) and Olaf (Possum), left and right in back.

Sister and Brother-in-Law ~ THANK YOU.

Comments

[Kate]

Love their story, and I am so glad that Olaf, Hazel and Boris have settled in together in their new home!

[Random Felines]

What a wonderful tribute to Ivan and Konrad - both the bricks and being able to open their hearts and home to HBO (love that by the way).

[goldie goodwin]

This is a wonderful testiment to the bond that occurs between cats and the grief they feel when they experience loss.
I am happy that you have happy memories and that the new "crew" is helping make new memories.

[virginia wells]

I love this story - It is so sad to lose two beloved cats with in a few months of each other- The bricks look wonderful and will be a forever tribute to Ivan and Konrad- being a regular reader of Chrystal's blog, I also, was afraid that Possum would keep hiding out and never get a loving home. When I saw he was adopted by you all, my heart gave a cheer. He hit the jack pot of love being chosen in to such a great home and it was a big plus that you also chose Handsome and Alice - HBO is so easy to remember the new names -Hazel,Boris and Olaf are now their new identities - You both told touching, honest stories of loving, losing - grieving- trying to move on and the charm of the solution - more adopted kitties and tons of new furry love. Long live the HBO cats - Warm wishes from Ginny & The Fur Family. Thank you for sharing your stories with us out here in Blog world.

[Cat's Cats]

What a lovely tribute to Konrad and Ivan. I love that HBO are so happy together and thriving :-)

PS - I've been having a little trouble commenting on your blog lately. I had to reload the page three times before the comment box appeared, and sometimes I have to come back later and try again. Has anyone else experienced the same?

[Jay Collins]

Thanks so much for the chance to spread the word, Chrystal. Most importantly, even though we do not have cable, we have HBO!

[Andrea & the Celestial Kitties]

Aw, I hope their bricks will be side by side in the walkway, what a sweet tribute!

HBO, I love it! It's so good to see what became of three more Winnie's Wish kittis and what wonderful lives they have now!

What great examples of great adoptions. Don't you all want one, or three, of your own?? Come on, adopt a kitty!

[Pam and the Califurrrrrnia5]

I agree with all the comments that this is indeed another heart-warming story. How lucky your sister and brother-in-law are to have had such a wonderful life with Konrad & Ivan and then find "love again the second time around" with HBO!

[Abby]

We are so glad that you decided to include the stories behind the bricks! They are wonderful.
love and purrs
Abby & Mom Debra