Boodie came into my human’s life sometime before February 2002. You rarely saw her on the blog because she was a bit shy. When my human first met her, at a rescue where she volunteered for a time, she was semi feral. She and her sister had been dumped in a box and left in the parking lot of a vet clinic the rescue worked with. They were five months old and hissed in fear at everyone. My human discovered that the one way to connect with them was through playing with fishing pole-style toys. Playing was the only way they would interact with people.
My human’s soul cat passed away in February, 2002. She already had Binga, and she didn’t want her getting used to being an only cat. (Because, Binga.) She already had plans to bring home a Somali kitten in a few months. So in the meantime, she brought home Boodie as a foster to help socialize her. By then, Boodie was nine months old.
Well, the rescue never took her back. They called for her once for an interested adopter, who didn’t take her. And then my human never heard from the rescue again. So she wound up with Boodie by default.
Boodie was never much of a people cat, although she got used to my human and her then-boyfriend. She much preferred the company of other cats. When my human eventually did bring home Sparkle, the Somali kitten she had been waiting for, and founder of this blog, Boodie was the one who became her friend first, before Binga. (Because, Binga.)
Boodie was a very quirky cat. She didn’t really meow. She made weird, sort of space alien noises. After trying for a long time, my human eventually was able to capture this on a video in 2011.
Boodie never got tired of playing for her whole life. One of her favorite games (other than the fishing pole toys) was to find a fuzzy toy and carry it around in her mouth, screaming loudly (the only time she was ever loud). Usually she did this at around 3 in the morning.
When she wasn’t playing, she could often be found just like this. She was a very floppy cat, which makes sense because she was some sort of ragdoll mix. My human suspects she may have come from an unethical backyard breeder that dumped her when nobody bought her.
Boodie had cottony fur that matted easily, had a thick coat, and it was always a chore to groom her.
She did clean up really nicely. Like me, she didn’t mind having her claws trimmed. Unlike Binga, who would scream like she was being murdered.
Even though Boodie was shy and often hid from strangers until she was much older, she was actually featured in a video! My human shot it as part of a sponsored post. Sparkle and Binga were in it, but Boodie got the best scenes. That was also in 2011
Although she was arthritic and deaf the last few years of her life, Boodie kept enjoying sun puddles, and playing loudly with toys in the middle of the night. Up until about a week ago, she was doing okay, and only slowing down gradually but not much. But then she stopped eating and within a few days, lost interest in doing anything at all. The vet that came to our house said it could be any number of things, but it was likely congestive heart failure. It was her time, so we let her go.
It’s odd to think that the original gang who started off with this blog are all gone now.
The vet had to work with us outside because of Covid, and after she left and Boodie was gone, I spent a lot of time smelling the blanket she had been lying on. Even though Boodie was not a noisy cat (except at 3 A.M.), the house is very quiet without her.
Other posts you’ll enjoy:
2021 Somali Cat Wall Calendar, Starring Summer
See all of Summer’s merch at her her Zazzle Designercat Shop
This post was a beautiful tribute to Boodie. Thanks for sharing her story.
So sorry for your loss, sending big hugs and head bonks your way.
Boodie may not have been on the blog often, but you have made us all feel that we knew her. She was lucky to have a good home with a person who gave her the freedom to live the kind of life she chose. I’m very sorry for your loss, Summer and Janiss.
So so sorry for your loss.
There are never the right words to say for the loss of a fluffy family member. It’s a different level of sadness. You gave Boodie a chance when she probably wouldn’t have gotten one. We are so very sorry. Our human hasn’t been well for a long time so we haven’t visited the blog in a long time but we have been lucky enough to have enjoyed Sparkle, Binga and Boodie over the years. We will all be keeping you and your human in our thoughts, keep each other company on the quiet nights and again we are so very sorry.
Awwww, Janiss, that is very sad news. We were always fond of her. Hard to believe the original three are gone 🙁
Take care, we’re all thinking of you ❤
Kelley and John
I”m so sorry for your loss. I am still adjusting to the stillness of being a 1-cat household in this current season. That’s the first thing I thought about when I saw the news on Janet’s blog as I do remember your original feline crew.
Our cats leave such an imprint on our lives… and through our blogs, they imprint the rest of us as well.
Rest in peace, sweet Boodie. You may have not been in every photo or over post, but I knew you were there… I recognized your presence… and you are missed.
xoxoxo
We didn’t know Boodie, alas. We read about her passing on some blogs of other kitties whom We know, and she seems to have been a furry special kitty, so We have come to say how sorry We are that she had to fly away to the Rainbow Bridge. We can see that she was beautiful and much loved and We know that she is waiting for you at the Bridge, and that one day, you will all be reunited. Until that day, may she be safe and cherished, in the paw of the Great Cat in the Sky.
Guys, we are so very sorry to learn of Boodie’s departure to the Rainbow Realm and send big hugs and gentle purrs at this sad time.
We did love learning about her today and her quirky meow was just adorable, such a sweetheart ❤ We are so glad that she had such a lovely life with mew! XOX
Can’t Believe Boodie has Gone,Hugs to you and you mum Summer,xx Speedy and Rachel
I’m so sorry about Boodie. I really enjoyed reading about her. I have a special place in my heart for shy kitties that don’t always like humans much. She sure did have the good life. I love the picture of Sparkle, Binga, and Boodie.
Just left a long comment that didn’t take. I’m so sorry about Boodie, I always thought she was gorgeous and I loved that she wasn’t a fan of people! My heart is sad. It’s so hard when the original blogging pets pass, I know. My heart goes out to you. I’m so deeply sorry but happy Boodie knew love with you. ❤️
I always thought Boodie was a beauty and I always liked that she wasn’t a people cat! She was unique. I am glad she was with you (even by default) because she was so loved. I’m so sorry, it’s hard when the original blog members pass, I know…time goes so quickly . Sending much love and my deepest sympathy
Dear Janiss and Summer, we are so sorry for your loss. It hurts our hearts to find out that Boodie has her angel wings. She was a total beauty, and we didn’t see enough of her. We understand how much quieter a house can be with just one less cat. Mauricio loved to carry his toys around the house while talking. We loved the video and want to know if you will be adding more cats to your household in the future. Sending lots of purrs from Kitties Blue and big hugs from our mom. XOCK, angel Lily Olivia, angel Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, Cooper Murphy and Sawyer
I’m so sorry to hear about Boodie. She was a beauty.
My heart is broken for you. I just loved getting to see Boodie on the blog on the rare occasions she’d show up, so pretty and sweet. I will miss her too. Hugs and purrs to both you and Summer
I’m so sorry about Boodie. It is weird when the last of the original gang is gone, and my compassion goes out to you and your human.
We are so sorry. We knew Boodie was a shy one and we loved hearing about her. Thank you for sharing her and the entire original gang with us and the world. Run fast and free, sweetheart. We will miss you.
Boodie,
You had a great Mom and wonderful friends. I will miss you. ❤️
Love,
Sandey and Shakespeare ❤️
From our cat family to yours we send sincere condolences on the loss of your sweet Bodie.
So sorry about Boodie. Sounds like she had such a good life with you. Big hugs.
We are terribly sorry for you loss, and also the sad realization that all three of your originals of the blog have gone onto the RB. I am so glad that the rescue ‘forgot’ about Boodie and that she was cared and loved by you. She was a special cat who needed a special home — yours. Keeping you in my thoughts.
We are so sorry for your loss. Sending you love and hugs.
RIP: Boodie
That was a lovely tribute to Boodie… Our Best Purrs Of Comfort to you.
In most multi-cat households, there is usually one who stays a bit quiet and keeps a bit to itself . Well, there is always some exception like an unusual voice of toy-playing habit. It makes them special. We enjoyed the video of Boodies meow; Laz has a voice like a rusty gate, for example (it took some getting-used-to). And like Boodie, he likes to meow around the house at 3 am and doesn’t naturally take to toys (eats the string off wad toys).
Some cats are just natural attention-getters, some aren’t. But the ones who aren’t are special, too. As they say, “Still waters run deep”…
We liked seeing all the other pictures of Boodie. But the one of The Original Gang was quite moving, too! We think we will try to get Dad to struggle with Photoshop Elements to make something similar for Remembrance.
Again, our purrs to you…
Oh Summer, this breaks my heart. I am so sorry for you and your catmom. I don’t want you and your mom to be lonely. It’s really hard being a one-cat household. We know how outgoing you are. You two are in my prayers. Boodie was a sweetheart and lucky to have had a forever loving home. She too will live forever in our memories and in our hearts. Thank you for sharing her beautiful and loving story. Purrs and love…
Boodie was such a pretty cat! Hopefully, another nice kitty will find her way into your home, to give Summer a pretty Little Sisfur!
I just now saw this and I’m so sorry you lost Boodie but so glad she had a wonderful kitty life with you and her kitty sisters. We who have been reading your blog for years really miss Sparkle and Binga already, and now Boodie joins the group of your precious kitties who will forever be missed, but never forgotten. =^..^=
Oh my lord, we are sorry that’s she’s passed. We send you our biggest hugs and best kisses.
Thank you for sharing her story with us and although she rarely appear here, she’s very much a part and reason why we visit.
Oh Janiss, I join the many others mourning your loss of dear Boodie. I always enjoyed seeing her since starting Cat Wisdom 101 in 2011. It’s a watershed moment but what a wonderful long life she enjoyed thanks to you.
I am sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
We are so very sorry about Boodie , we loved her space alien meow and what a rock star she was in the video. Purrs of comfort and paws of sympathy from all of us here at ATCAD
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. Boodie was such a beautiful kitty. She will be missed terribly…sending hugs.
Oh, Dear.
We had no clue Boodie wasn’t well. Now she is a beautiful angel…
So sorry for your loss, sending many hugs.
Maybe Angel Pipo met her along the bridge from here to the RB meadows…
We are so sorry that it was Boodie’s time to go, Summer. Please know we are sending you and your human lots of love and gentle purrs as you miss her. Thank you for sharing her with all of us. Even though we are sad, we loved seeing her (and Sparkle and Binga) in those videos. Our Ava meowed like that when she first got here, but now she is pretty vocal.
Aw, Boodie was a beauty! And she sure had fun with her friends, too. I am glad Boodie and Binga were besties 😉
That video of The B girls and Sparkle was wonderful. All your kitties have glorious lives with you, Janiss. I’m sorry it was Boodie’s Time–good thing Summer is such a loving girl, with all that therapy training too. You two will do a good job of comforting each other. <3
I'm sorry we haven't been around much. Spitty says I am a worse than useless, but we've been getting a few pictures together, and he says if I don't help him blog soon he will find a way to make me.
Boodie! Oh, Summer and Janiss, I’m so sorry. Hugs and love from me and Milo and Lucy cats.
Thanx for this post. I really didn’t know Boodie very well even though she arrived before Sparkle. We have leaky eyes that she went to that big litter box in the sky. Sending comforting purrz to you and your human.
Aww the second video is so cute. Who knew Binga and Boodie were such pals. I have tears Summer. Did Sparkle pass young? She looked younger than Binga and Boodie. Maybe it’s just the breed. I’m so sad Summer. I cry when anyone loses a beloved pet. Hugs to you and your human
I didn’t know Boodie, but it sounds like she was her own cat, and her humans loved her enough to let her be that way. And it allowed Boodie to love her humans in return. What a wonderful life Boodie had – far too short, but wonderful. Godspeed, Boodie.
I am so sorry about Boodie. She was a pretty girl. My Kirby makes the same sound!
She was such a beauty and I’m just heartbroken for you. She had a wonderfully long life with you, but still not long enough.
My condolences on the loss of Boodie, but so glad that you were such good friends. She really was a beautiful cat and your human did a great job of turning her into a house kitty. You can feel good that you helped make her life much better.
Still can’t believe beautiful Boodie is gone. We will miss her so much. Hugs and comforting purrs.
Laila and Peggy
Terribly sad about the passing of Boodie. She was a lucky cat to find you and your household.
Oh, this is sad. They give us their best years and it hurts when we have to let them go. Thank you for sharing her story. Hugs from Kiki and Jean.
Mee-you Summer an Miss Janiss wee are so furry sad ’bout Boodie!
LadyMew iss cryin as shee triess to type. Shee adoored Boodie alot.
Mee an Boodie were alike inn that wee were semi-feralss an mee too enjoyss stick toyss THE best!!
Wee love THE video of Boodie ‘owinn’…it iss like her ‘mee-yower’ was broken butt shee sure was cute! An THE video of Sparkle an Binga an Boodie together iss furabuluss.
Deer Miss Janiss wee know how dad you must bee. May all yore memoreess an fotoss an videoss bee a comfert to you an Summer Samba now an fur ever!
Run free deer Boodie! Wee will nevurr furget you!
***purrss*** an ~~head rubsss~~BellaDharma~~ an gentell {{{huggiess}}} LadyMew
Maybe you don’t know, but I’ve always been intrigued with Boodie. It was like I couldn’t learn enough about her. I always LOVED the posts where we got a glimpse of her. I’m so sorry. Sending hugs and love.
We are very sorry to hear about Boodie. Thank you for sharing her story and to your human for taking care of her. Boodie knows she was loved and cared about even if she couldn’t bring herself to be a lap cat.
Grey Ghost, Cloud, Henry-socks and Ulster oh and their mom.