Remembering Bear the kitten

We publish obituaries for free, and sometimes that means tributes to departed pets. The Dennis family loved their short-lived kitten Bear, and one of their younger members wrote this tribute for publication:

It is with great sadness that my sister and I announce the loss of our much-beloved kitten, Bear.

At just two years old, we were not surprised at his passing due to a tumor condition he had had since birth โ€“ but that hasnโ€™t made this day any easier. He lived much longer than the vet thought he would after all. For this we are so grateful.

Of our three cats, Bear was the one who exuded character and then some! He was very wild by nature, yet so full of affection. We will forever remember his loving head butts, rubbing our noses and our legs, his paws touching our cheeks and his kitten-like kneading of our soft spots. He loved napping on his Special Personโ€™s bed – and his Special Personโ€™s Seahawks blanket in particular. He loved watching Strong Man videos. We cherished his company while we gardened in our backyard โ€“ one of his favorites of our activities.

He was always so painfully thin, but no less pleasant to stroke โ€“ his tail always ramrod straight up in the air in greeting. If he was wet and cold after coming in from outside, his loud plaintive meows announcing his return accompanied that characteristic tail. Our weakness for his cries also meant he always got what he wanted when he wanted it โ€“ wet treats, dry treats, bites of our meals, etc. We were helpless not to spoil him as we knew we wouldnโ€™t have him long.

He loved and is survived by his two kitty-brothers. When we first got him and he was sickly and weak, he was so utterly amazed by the strength and grace of his middle brother CoCo. He aspired to jump just like CoCo to the bathroom sink for a drink. CoCo was so very affectionate with him and taught him everything he could when he wasnโ€™t sweetly bathing or kissing him. They wrestled and rough housed quite often. From his oldest kitty-brother, Little Kitty – somewhat of an elderly grouch – Bear learned the importance of sticking up for himself!

Bear, we will miss your sweet habit of laying out in our driveway awaiting our return from errands. We will miss the way you โ€“ unlike any other cat in the universe โ€“ would willingly jump into the car to welcome us back home. You will always be our โ€œlittle baguette.โ€ We will forever hold you in our hearts.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

33 Replies to "Remembering Bear the kitten"

  • WSOwl March 11, 2022 (6:03 pm)

    Sweet tribute. Sorry for your loss.

    • Alicia March 12, 2022 (6:03 pm)

      Your tribute was so wonderful. Our feline babies are family. I am so sorry for your loss but I am happy for your memories. I still cry and miss my baby but the happiness and joy she gave me always coat the hurt. Thank you for sharing.

  • Bonnie March 11, 2022 (6:16 pm)

    Oh sweet Bear, you were loved.So sorry for your loss.

  • Trileigh March 11, 2022 (6:21 pm)

    What a tender and touching memorial. May Bear always rest well in your hearts; it’s so clear he was very much loved, and I’m sure he knew it.

  • waikikigirl March 11, 2022 (6:30 pm)

    I am so sorry for your loss of your Bear Kitty. From the tribute you have written I know he knows how much you loved him and he loved you all.Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….

  • Kristen March 11, 2022 (6:42 pm)

    I am so incredibly sorry for the loss of you sweet Bear. Itโ€™s obvious he was a deeply loved member of your family. He was so lucky to have such a wonderful family, even if it was only for a short time. Sending lots of strength and love to you during this difficult time. Hang in there. 

  • AHneighbor March 11, 2022 (6:53 pm)

    What a great way to honor Bear! It looks like you all gave him a great life. 

  • Susan March 11, 2022 (6:58 pm)

    I am so sorry for your loss. Bear clearly was so loved and cherished and you made his too short life as sweet as possible. You were blessed by each other. โค๏ธ

  • Highland Park March 11, 2022 (7:01 pm)

    So many wonderful memories made in such a short time. This dear little fur baby had the perfect family to love and care for him. 

  • Alki resident March 11, 2022 (7:02 pm)

    Oh my gosh, my first pet obituary and you have me in tears. Sounds like your kitty had the whole world in his hands( paws). Iโ€™m so very sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing this. 

  • miws March 11, 2022 (8:02 pm)

    Good on you and the kitty siblings for giving Bear the best life possible, knowing it would be a short one. Condolences… —Mike

  • David K March 11, 2022 (8:20 pm)

    Sweet of WSB to publish these. A tonic in sorry times!

  • Kerry March 11, 2022 (8:46 pm)

    I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing the life of your amazing Bear. ๐Ÿ’–

  • Lucy March 11, 2022 (8:48 pm)

    Thank you for giving Bear the best life he could have had.  

  • Sarah March 11, 2022 (8:59 pm)

    I’m so sorry for your loss. Bear was beloved and will live on forever in your hearts. It sounds like you had a beautiful life together, full of good times and treats. What a lovely way to honor his kitty soul. 

  • West Seattle since 1979 March 11, 2022 (9:44 pm)

    What a beautiful tribute.so sorry for your loss.

  • Samantha March 11, 2022 (10:04 pm)

    What an absolutely wonderful tribute to Bear! What a handsome boy. It sounds like he lived his very best life thanks to you and your family, as well as the other cats in the house. 

  • Mj March 11, 2022 (10:11 pm)

    Kitty kitty

  • Kris March 11, 2022 (10:21 pm)

    Peace.

  • DAK March 11, 2022 (10:22 pm)

    Rest in power, Bear! <3

  • Andy March 11, 2022 (10:25 pm)

    I’m almost speechless. Absolutely beautiful. 

  • Lisa March 12, 2022 (12:02 am)

    You loved Bear extraordinarily! Iโ€™m sorry for your loss. You gave him the best life ever! I too believe in the rainbow bridge! You will see him, again <3

  • Goodbye for now March 12, 2022 (10:19 am)

    Beautiful beloved boy with such a loving family, sending comfort and love, thanks very much for sharing!

  • dmk March 12, 2022 (10:36 am)

    Bear was very handsome and obviously had a beautiful heart!   Thank you for sharing your memories of him with all of us.  Sending you all lots of love. 

  • Ly March 12, 2022 (12:44 pm)

    I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. Losing a furry family member is always hard. I loss my beloved cat after 17 years together in the pandemic and reading your tribute filled my eyes with tears.  How lucky that you had each other and that you were able to fill his last days with love. May he rest in peace.

  • Rick March 12, 2022 (1:16 pm)

    There’s a special place in heaven reserved for kitties. Hope he’s got room service. 

  • DH March 12, 2022 (1:31 pm)

    Awww. This is an amazing addition to have pet obituaries. Sorry for your loss! 

  • Kauaigirl81 March 12, 2022 (1:51 pm)

    I’m so sorry for your loss of your beloved kitty baby Bear๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿˆ๐Ÿ’™…,Your story and memory of Bear is very touching and realistic for me. I also have lost my sweet boy Boo Boo๐Ÿ˜บ..This April on the 8th will be 3yrs since his passing. The day of his passing I lite a candle by his picture for the day in remembrance of my Boo Boo. Thank you for sharing your beautiful story about Bear๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿˆ๐Ÿ’™

  • ~Hockeywitch~ March 12, 2022 (3:49 pm)

    My most heartfelt condolences for the loss of your sweet Bear. What a handsome guy. Its never easy to lose a furry family member. They aren’t just animals, they ARE Family. Sounds like Bear knew nothing but love from his humans in his 2 years on the spinning rock. Thank you for sharing your Bear with us. He will be waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge when the time comes… Rest easy sweet Bear.

  • Chartreuxe March 12, 2022 (8:31 pm)

    You filled Bear’s life with many years worth of happiness in his short life. The good ones always leave us too soon. This is the hard part, when we lose them. May your many happy memories of Bear bring you comfort and joy in your grief.  One day your pain will heal.   You’ll be able to remember him with laughter again for his antics and adventures.  

  • Erin March 12, 2022 (9:29 pm)

    I love that they are putting tributes to pets on this site.  Pets are just as important as people and this is such a beautiful memorial to your baby Bear.  What a beautiful life and love you gave him and he’ll always be with you. <3

  • Lauren March 13, 2022 (12:17 pm)

    Thank you for sharing your tribute to Bear so that others could read about him and know what a fine specimen of cathood he was.  That is wonderful that he got to share his life with you–  who appreciated him so much. Blessings to Bear!

  • RLV March 14, 2022 (1:32 pm)

    Love, love, and more love to your whole family!  

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