Saturday, January 06, 2007

Photo Hunters

PSHunt
Grab the Scavenger Hunt code. Join the blogroll. Visit participants.

Memory

Whiskers
Portrait of Whiskers

In Memory of my Siamese cat Whiskers, who went to the Rainbow Bridge on September 1st, 2006, I commissioned a portrait by one of my running friends, Michelle, who is also a very talented artist. You can see both the photo that she based the portrait on, and the portrait, above. Whiskers (registered name Tyann Whiskers) was a purebred Seal Point Siamese that I received for my 15th birthday. He grew up with me through the turbulent teenage years, and kept me company when I fractured my L2 vertebra back in 1993 and was confined to bed rest for a couple of months. Whiskers had a good, long life - he would have been 20 this past November, so he died just 2 months short of that milestone. For the past several years, Whiskers had been living with my sister for a couple of reasons. First of all, Whiskers grew up with my sister's cat, Princess, and as they were both senior cats, we didn't want to separate them. Second, my husband is allergic to cats (but fortunately he can tolerate Sphynx, hence our new kitten, Dragonheart.) Whiskers acquired his name because, as a kitten, he was missing the whiskers on one side of his face. He like to play rough with his brother, and the whiskers had been bitten off! I had the choice of either Whiskers or his brother, and I chose Whiskers because he came right out to meet me at the breeder's. He was always very friendly and outgoing, loved people and attention, and had the typical Siamese voice. He was a wonderful cat.

44 comments:

Hootin Anni said...

Wow!!!! So impressive. Whiskers was gorgeous.

I had one for 25 years!! A Siamese, they just can't be beat. Her name was Felina.

'Tis sad to have loved and lost, but what a great memory of a loved one.

My memory is posted.
Happy Weekend.

Gattina said...

I saw him already, he was a beautiful cat even with missing whiskers ! As you can see I am back from 2 weeks non stop sunshine and 25° ! and now I am sitting here and look out in the grey and rainy weather, brrr !

Thank you for hosting Cats on Tuesday, I think because of all these holidays there were not much participation. Now I will make a tour on Monday and wake people up with a big "MEOW" (like Arthur's prima donna voice)
My memories are on New Year's Eve in Egypt !

ChupieandJ'smama (Janeen) said...

What a beautiful cat. Your friend did a great job with the picture. It's a wonderful tribute Whiskers. It's very hard to lose a pet. It's like losing a friend or family member. I'm glad you have such wonderful memories of him.

Leah said...

What a beautiful artwork. your friend is indeed talented. The likeness is so tru.

Great Memory piece.
thanks for stopping by.

Heart of Rachel said...

Hi Caylynn. That's a beautiful portrait of Whiskers. Your friend is indeed very talented. I like your term, Rainbow Bridge. I also believe that my dog Miko who I lost last year went to that beautiful place. I enjoyed reading your heartfelt story about Whiskers. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

The portrait is stunning. Please tell your friend how lovely it is.

So sorry to read of your friend's passing. He lived a good, long life but it's still hard to lose a friend, isn't it? My kitties are 12 and 10 and I dread the day I have to say goodbye to them.

LibertyBelle said...

What a lovely tribute and memory to Whiskers!
Thanks for dropping by
Happy Saturday!
L

Melli said...

HE was a beauuuuuutiful cat! I'm sure you miss him greatly. And your friend did a wonderful job with the painting! What a treasure! But that little Dragonheart is just too adorable! I know he's won your hearts BIG TIME! NOT to "replace" Whiskers ... but just a new channel for your love!

Ramblins of a middle-aged goddess said...

What a dear memory!! I guess I should have used My Lucy today instead of what I did. She was buried last Saturday and we shall miss her for a long time. She was a Big red green eyed sweet Maine Coon cat!! We loved her so much but only got to live 3 years. That is a long time for a cat to live..WOW!! The picture is wonderful that was painted for you. Cats are so great!! Sandy
Thanks for stopping by today

Anonymous said...

What an incredibly talented artist! Wow! Can hardly tell the difference between the photo and the painting.
And what a handsome looking cat Whiskers was. You were SO fortunate to have him almost 20 years! I'd love to have a cat that long.
Great post and photo.

Anonymous said...

I'm seriously impressed. Your friend is one heck of an artist. I clicked over to her site - WOW! I so admire talented people like that.

Whiskers sounded like the perfect companion. *smile*

Enjoy the weekend!

Michelle Wiebe said...

Thanks Caylynn, thank everyone - It was such a pleasure to work on this portrait. Siamese are just GORGEOUS. Whiskers, especially so. :)

-Michelle (mw-artco)

Terri | Sugar Free Glow said...

What an artist! I wish I had that talent!
Great memory---thanks for sharing.

Jane said...

Our seal point siamese Kitten, died one day short of her 20th! She also liked to play rough with my father. We called their battles "Wild Daddy." There aren't enough words to convey the love of a loyal pet! Beautiful portrait!

srp said...

Whiskers was a beautiful cat and so Siamese with that pose. My Shamroc was 19 when he died, also a Siamese. Michelle is a fabulous artist!
Thanks for the visit.

Biker Betty said...

Whiskers was beautiful. The portrait it gorgeous. Wow! Almost 20 years and it sounded like a great and loving life he had. Thanks for sharing your memeory and have a great weekend. Thanks for stopping by, Betty

Lightseeker said...

Great Hunt! What a talented artist she is!

Thanks for stopping by!

Leesa said...

Awww..what a beautiful portrait :)

Anonymous said...

I'm glad Whiskers brought so much joy to your life. Animals are great companions.

Barbara

Anonymous said...

Awwww! That's so wonderful. What a beautiful job your friend did. And it will be a wonderful memory of Whiskers.

Thanks for stopping by.

jenny said...

I enjoyed your photo. One of my childhood friends had siamese cats at her house, and they were so regal and aloof! I admired them, but my Dad and I didn't tolerate cats well, so no cats at our house.

Thanks for pulling up a memory from my brain!

come look at my picture, too.
http://sliceofjennyslife.blogspot.com/

Tracy S said...

Wow, such a beautiful cat!

Smalltown RN said...

great story....beautiful and your friend is very talented...

Sunflower said...

Beautiful shot! I love it!
Thanks for sharing!


I will Exercise for Comments!
Sunflower

Anonymous said...

What a lovely portrait. I enjoyed reading Whiskers' story.

Anonymous said...

Great memories. And the portrait is amazing!!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Goofy Girl said...

Awww, what a beautiful Kitty!! I'm sorry to hear that Whiskers is no longer with us, but I am sure she is having a great time at Rainbow Bridge!

Anita Powell said...

Whiskers was beautiful, and what a wonderful portrait. This was a great choice for the theme!

mistihollrah said...

What a wonderful way to create a memory!

PowersTwinB said...

My son has a cat exactly like your Whiskers! She is beautiful too, her name is Blue....Loved the memories photo! I just posted my first photo in the hunt...please visit soon, I am new to blogging.

Nicki said...

What a beautiful cat and a wonderful painting. Your friend is definitely talented. I'm sorry Whiskers is no longer with you but it sounds as if he had a long good life. :)

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful portrait of a very beautiful cat! Such blue eyes! That is a loving memory to always have around! Sure is a different cat from your Dragonheart!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Teena in Toronto said...

What a lovely tribute!

Mine's up too :)

Unknown said...

What a beautiful friend; sorry for your loss.

Mine is up too.

YellowRose said...

What a beautiful, loyal friend!

Anonymous said...

wonderful painting -- wonderful tribute to your feline friend too. Thanks for stopping by.

Retro Girl said...

What a beautiful cat...beautiful painting too! We thought alike - paying memory and tributes to our best furry friends this week.
Take care!

RetroGirl

Anonymous said...

What a lovely remembrance of your cat. The portrait is beautiful.

My 20-year old (part) seal point siamese cat, Sam, passed away in November. She was my companion through those turbulent teen years, too (as well as a difficult marriage and divorce, remarriage and the birth of my baby). It's amazing how much comfort pets can bring, especially during those tough times.

Thanks for sharing your memory!

Toffee K. Ripple Fuzzypants & Feline American Angels said...

Whiskers was definitely gorgeous ... And what a lovely tribute.
DMM

PastormacsAnn said...

Awwww, he was BEAUTIFUL! I love Siamese and so have two. (not purebred) They're both senior kitties.

Great memories. Perfect choice for the hunt.

(Your friend is an amazing job.)

Gattina said...

Please don't forget CATS ON TUESDAY and PLEASE read the rules
Sorry, this is a standard comment as I don't know how to remind you otherwise. Any idea ?

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful portrait! I used to have a siamese cat, too. His name was Uku.

Lux said...

Whiskers is beautiful, and so is the portrait! What a wonderful memory!

JHS said...

Beautiful!