The Bear Cat

The Bear was a self-possessed cat, with a gentility and understanding that made him the furry patriarch of the family.

Lula and The Bear always did see eye to eye. They played together, slept together and ate together. They were inseparable.

Pretty fearsome looking isn't it, but it's not real. In point of fact, both The Bear and Lula loved playing mock combat with each other. After putting on a show for us, they would lick each other and go grab a bite to eat out of the same bowl.

When Lula passed on in May 2004, our loneliness and grief was such that we adopted a young rescue. We would have preferred an older dog, but Lula II as we named her, so reminded us of our deceased Lula. Lula II immediately took to The Bear and he treated her like his child.

We adopted Jerry in 2005. The Bear was really getting on in years but again, he chose to raise Jerry as his younger son (Lula II now being his eldest). By now The Bear was 17 years old. Father's responsibilities never end.

Boy, did Jerry grow fast! The Bear was a big cat, but Jerry was becoming enormous. None the less, he grew up with the same empathy, affectionate nature and calm strength as his dad, The Bear.

Did I mention that Jerry grew and grew and grew?

On September 7, 2006, The Bear departed this physical world to again be with his old friend Lula. But his legacy lives on in our own hearts, as well as the memory and personality of his children, Lula II and Jerry. They as we, were devastated when he passed on. But he will always be with us in our hearts. Thank you, Bear.