Thursday, November 19, 2015

Goodbye.

I am gone.  

No one knew—but I’ve been very quietly fighting a battle with Cancer.  My staff had noticed I wasn’t feeling up to snuff, but—trooper that I am—I would rally and perk up and act good-as-new.  

We went to a couple of V-E-T appointments, but bloodwork didn’t reveal anything too out of the ordinary.

No one even knew about my Cancer until my V-E-T Dr. Jon went rummaging around in my belly to see what was wrong.  When he found what he found—oh, it was pretty far along, too far along, and my staff bravely decided to help me over the Bridge.  (I trained them about the importance of Bravery—especially when you’re small.)

I know a lot of people are sad to read this.  I was a pretty popular guy, and handsome, and smart, and charismatic, and never again will such a Magnificent set of whiskers be seen in Thorntown, Indiana, USA.  I heard that lots of people were asking about me during my hospitalization.

I want all of the sad people to remember that I lived one of the best of all possible lives.  I went from a homeless, unwanted stray to become a World-Famous Library Cat.  I had 14,000 square feets of climate-controlled Inside, complete with snack-drawers at every desk.  I had multiple loving mommies, a few daddies, and scores of fans who made special visits to see me. 

My library is full of soft chairs.  I’ve slept in every. single. one.  I tipped every trash-can, gnawed every cord, and found all of the best sunbeams.  I knocked over water-glasses, sat on planners, and attacked rogue Zucchinis.  I never went a day without a tummy rub or a chin-scritch. 

Life was good.  Life IS good. 

Thank you, blogging friends and blog followers, for reading and sharing my adventures.  It’s been a pleasure getting to know all of you.  

Not even this post is complete without a shot of my handsomeness.
My blog will remain online so that people can continue to read my stories and remember all of the happy times we shared.  

Purrs, headbutts, and my best to you all,


Tober

73 comments:

Stephanie Cain said...

Oh, Tober. :( You will be so missed.

Random Felines said...

we have a sad....purrs to the library peoples and the people of Thorntown

Cauli Le Chat (at Mooresville Public Library) said...

We are truly saddened by your passing, Tober, but we know that you will be among many friends across the Rainbow Bridge in the Summerland. We hope to see you again when we cross over.

Summer said...

My human and I are in tears - you were such an inspiration to Sparkle, and now to me. It's especially sad when the world loses a library cat because you guys bring so much joy to your community. Purrs to everybody in Thorntown - I know you will be missed lots.

Unknown said...

Such a beautiful soul, a noble and handsome boy! My heart bleeds for all your humans. Much love from a fellow cat-lover!

MrsB said...

Oh no! So sad now.

da tabbies o trout towne said...

Tober; Godspeed your journey to heaven buddy; while we didn't know you as long as most of your friends, we are very happy we DID get to know you. We enjoyed reading about your adventures and we hope that you've found a really nice library there in heaven, and your adventures continue with all those who reside there now. We all will miss you ~~~~ we wont say good bye...just...until we meet again ♥♥♥♥♥

with hugs and love; boomer, dai$y, tuna, and dude and sauce too =^..^=

Connie - Tails from the Foster Kittens said...

my eyes are leaky, but not for you. You Tober led a wonderful life with so much.. you were so rich and loved.. but I cry for those left behind who loved you so. My heart goes out to everyone who loved you..

Percy the Cat said...

Tober, myself and my sisfurs will miss you very much. We loved reading your blog and hearing about your adventures, especially as none of us have ever visited a library! (although our human has a lot of books, so maybe we have gotten at least part of that experience)

We know you will be happy at the Rainbow Bridge, and we send our purrs and headbutts to your staff.

Donna said...

Rest in peace, good cat.

Luv, Angel Keisha and Murphy the Poodle

Zoolatry said...

Bye, bye Tober ... hope you have fun running thru the "racks" in heaven, am sure they have quite an amazing library up there ... hugs to you and those who have loved you so!
[PS we made a rainbow bridge image but don't have an email for your hu-mom ...]

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

I didn't know you Tober, and that is my loss. You sound like you were a great character and I wish I had heard about you in happier times. I send my purrs and condolences to your family.

CATachresis said...

Tober, I am so sad and so very sorry I didn't get to know you, but you were indeed a much loved and handsome kitty! Library cats are very special as you know! All the peeps will be heartbroken so I send my gentlest purrs to them ❤️❤️❤️❤️

SuziQCat said...

Very sad to hear this news. You will be missed by all. Purrs and HUGS to your wonderful and caring staff.

Jans Funny Farm said...

Oh, no, not Tober! Our hearts are heavy to think of all his friends who are missing him. Special thanks to all of Tober's staff who cared for and spoiled him and shared his story. We, too, will miss him! A hug for all his Staff from all of us.

The Island Cats said...

Oh no! We are so sad to hear this news. Tober, we will miss you and your library adventures. We send comforting purrs and gentle headbutts to all of those missing you so much.

GTnCo said...

i've followed since the beginning, very sad and sorry for your loss! he will be missed

Anonymous said...

Tober, Happy Hunting over the Bridge my handsome friend. I didn't know you but I am a ginger mancat too and we are very special guys. I admire you for being so brave.....to the end. Lots of people will miss you I know - you were definitely a big attraction at your library........it will never be the same with you gone but I hope you will "haunt" the place and leave signs that you will be watching over all your friends there..............forever.

Love, Sammy

Katie Isabella said...

I never had the privilege of meeting you sweet boy and for that I am so sorry. Goodbye darling. Farewell. Your mommies and daddies and fans and the CB love you well. xxoo

Kitties Blue said...

Tober, we never knew you, which makes us very sad. We are happy you will leave your blog up so we can get to know you. We are sending our condolences to all who knew and loved you. RIP, Tober!

Spike William and Angels China Cat and Willow said...

Tober, you certainly will be missed. I am sending heartfelt purrs to all of your library staff.

Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrs, Spike William, another ginger tabby boy

Teddy Westlife said...

We will miss you Tober. You were a most excellent Library Cat. Find my sister Huffle Mawson over the bridge and have a good time with her.

Marjorie and the Team at Dash Kitten said...

Farewell tober I know your Library family will be broken hearted BUT Thank You so very much for making the Library your home.

With all our love to your grieving friends,

Marjorie and the cats at DashKitten

Marg said...

Oh Tober, we are so sad that you had to go. We know lots of people will miss you. We are so glad that you found such a good home with all that love that everyone gave to you. Wish we had known you when you were alive but thanks to the library people of doing the honor of letting you go.

Melissa, Mudpie and Angel Truffles (Mochas, Mysteries and Meows) said...

Oh Tober, you brave, sweet boy. I am so sorry to hear that you had to go to the Bridge. You will be missed by many.

Anonymous said...

Rest in love sweet handsome boy <3

Unknown said...

Such sad news. The world was a better place because of you.

edie said...

Sorry to hear of your family's loss.

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

Oh Tober the adventures we read and followed you on. We are so terribly sad, our Momma is going through a very difficult time in her life right now and it's doubly hard for her to say farewell. WE know you had the best life in your Library and we are glad we knew you through your blog. You continue rummaging through those desk and books up at the Rainbow Bridge and say Hello to our Angels Abby & Gracie. Kisses from the ManxMnews kitties.

Fozziemum said...

We never met you Tober.but are so sad to hear you have left your home..sending love from Down Under Fozziemum xxxxx

Just Ducky said...

Farewell Tober. Me and mum didn't know you, but know you had peoples who loved you and they will miss you. Mum likes libraries, she goes to ours all the time, but they don't have a kitty. She has to come home for that!

My big bro Derby is at The Bridge, hope you can hook up with him. He is ginger too.

Laila and Angel Minchie said...

This news has just broken all of our hearts here and the tears just won't stop rolling down our faces. Oh, Tober, we followed you from day one, loved every adventure and picture and loved exchanging Christmas cards with you each year. What a wonderful life you lived there in YOUR library with all your ladies waiting on you all the time. Our lives are better having known you, you handsome mancat. You will never be forgotten!!!

Laila, Minchie and Mom Peggy

Brian's Home Blog said...

We are so sorry it was tine for you to go Tober. We hadn't met you, and that leaves me with a sad. I can tell what a special life you had. Run free and watch over those who love you.

Poppy Q said...

Oh noes. My mums eyes are leaking, as she did not expect to read this. Thanks for sharing your fabulous life with us Mr Tober. We cannot imagine a more perfect life than lying is sunbeams surrounded by books. Much better than a life on the streets.

Hugs to all.

Julie and Poppy Q
New Zealand
xxx

Marty the Manx said...

Tober we are sending purrs, soft woofs and luvs to the Peeps you left behind. Your adventures have been grand, and we know you are watching over everyone from the Bridge.

Marty and the Gang

DancerInDC said...

This is so sad - farewell, Tober. Sending love & hugs to your caretakers who must be hurting right now.

Cathy Keisha said...

I’m here to pay my respects to Tuber and send comforting purrz to those he left behind. You were one magnificent cat.

Fr. Tom Fish said...

Next to a cozy home with lots of love is a library with books and the kind of love every cat deserves. We're so sorry to hear of Thorntown Library's loss. Precious Tober, you will be missed, but maybe you'll guide your friends to save another kitty to follow in your footsteps.

Tinker, Anastasia, Chopin and Bridget with Mom Julie xx

Pip said...

Thank you for sharing your life with us, Tober. I'm sure that your magnificent whiskers are the pride of the bridge. We send our purrs for all the people in Thorton, who,miss you.

Anonymous said...

Oh no, we're heartbroken for Karen and all of the library staff. Thank you for sharing your adventures with us. You will be missed

Gabriel and his Mom

curator said...

Oh Tober! I loved following you and will miss you so! There are some of my kitties across the Bridge that will be glad to be your new friends. Love, Curator xxx

Cara n Crew said...

Dear Tober,
This is our first time leaving a note. We always enjoyed stopping by and reading about you and your library and how you kept everything running smoothly :) we are so so sorry you had to leave this world for the next. we send our purrs and prayers of comfort to your friends and family there in Thornton.

Fraidy Cats pip, smidgen, minnie, hollie, sharpie

san said...

You take care of that Library in the Sky Tober. They will surely need your skills.

Erin the Cat Princess said...

Best wishes on you travels anew over the Rainbow Bridge. You will never be alone or forgotten. God Bless you, and those who you have left behind. Thank you for such a great blog. Erin

Hannah and Lucy said...

We didn't know you Tober and wish we had done. You had such a cute little face and know all your followers will be very sad and your Mom will be heartbroken.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

Alastriona, The Cats and Dogs said...

We are so very sad you had to leave us TOBER. We thinks every library should have a cat as wonderful as you.

Everycat said...

Farewell Tober, you were a wonderful Library Cat, we will never forget you.

Run free sweet fella, catch many mousies at The Bridge

Mungo & Jet xx

The Whiskeratti said...

We had no idea of this, and are very sad to hear you've passed over. Until we meet again at the Bridge, dear furriend.

John Bellen said...

I can't believe this. It's like a library itself is gone. Tober was a wonderful friend of readers and literacy, and had truly splendid whiskers. His death is so sudden and unexpected that it's hard to credit. He will missed very much. Godspeed, Tober.

Sabina Ayne said...

We just found you through another blogger and our sadness is two-fold: one, that we never knew you till now; and two, you have moved on out of your human's lives. We will be catching up on your exciting and happy life at Thorntown. You are/were a beautiful mancat. We posted a tribute to you on our blog. We used some of you photos and hope you don't mind. We also posted a link back to your blog. Thank you for bringing happiness to so many humans, especially the little ones. Your presence will be missed. The Board at Library of Cats
https://libraryofcats.wordpress.com/2015/11/20/a-tribute-to-another-library-cat/

Lovable Lily said...

Run free Tober.

Hugs,
Lily Belle & Muffin

Anonymous said...

God Speed dear Tober. You will be so missed!

Unknown said...

Tober, you were one AWESOME kitty! No one could ever be like you. Thanks for making the Thorntown Library a special place!

Anonymous said...

Yes, he is already sorely missed! We loved him very much!

Love,

one of his assistant-assistant bosses at the Thorntown Library

Timmy Tomcat said...

You will be missed dear Tober. May you fly free and we will all meet again over the Rainbow Bridge in the endless sun.
Purrs of Support to our friends at the Library
Timmy, Dad Pete and Family

Mariodacat said...

Tober, I'm so sorry I never had the chance to meet you. You sound like a really neat dude. We are, however, very sorry to hear you had to cross that bridge. Our hearts break for your humans, who loved you dearly. They did do the right thing for you in not making you suffer with tests, surgeries, etc. M sends big HUGS to the humans.

pilch92 said...

Rest in peace sweet Tober.

Angel Junior, Orion and Sammy said...

Oh Tober, you will be missed. Have fun at the bridge. ((HUGS)) to all your caretakers.

Flamincatdesigns said...

So sorry that you have gone to the bridge and left this world. You had some awesome humans give you a wonderful life. I wish there were more humans like that. Purrs and prayers for you and your humans that miss and love you so.

Bookworm said...

My thoughts are with your loyal friends at the library. You'll be missed

MikFoss said...

Has it really been eight years? They went by so fast. It's been a joy every time I could read a post on this blog, and it will be missed. I had hoped to one day visit you in your library Tober even though I rarely leave my kitties but your off over the bridge, say hello to my Floppy and Baby while your there, and all the strays we have lost. Thoughts and prayers to your family who are missing you now as well, find yourself some purrs where you can, these little ones take up such big places in our hearts!

meowmeowmans said...

Thank you, Tober, for the inspiration you have been, and that you will continue to be. We are so grateful for all of the joy you brought to so many.

Quinn and Angel brandi said...

We haven't been on line a lot lately due to illness. Mommy's, not mine. So we just found out that you passed. Oh, Tober, you were my hero and Mommy's. We had a community paper that had a kitty that passed but we didn't know him very well because he passed too soon. You, of course, became very special to us through the years. We had much more time with you. I hope brandi greeted you over the bridge as well as many kitties who passed and read your blog. Mommy (being at heart a librarian herself) thought you were very special. I thought you were quite a handsome hero.
Rest in peace, dear friend. You are so missed.
Will anyone find a library cat as sweet and handsome as you? I hope someone somewhere is inspired to carry on your tradition.

Unknown said...

oh Tober, have not cried so much in such a long time.. Havent been on your site for ages and then suddenly thought how is Tober doing and then was so sad to see you had gone:( but know you have gone to a beautiful place in Heaven. bless you much Tober and have enjoyed many years of your blog, happiness and your wonderful library family. from Ellie, Miguel and the once kitty tracks blog. buttons, bea and timmy still well and happy :) love and blessings

John Bellen said...

I already left a comment but I can't get over the title and first line of this post. They're so sad. Just three days after his previous entry, Tober is gone. Such a wonderful little fellow.

Jo's World said...

To Tobers Family:

This is Stella, Zkhats dog (Ziva Zophia,the muted tortie)
who was so upset at this news she was unable to paw you this note. She says she has loved Tober since the first time he wrote her and thought she would have him forever. She is broken hearted .She wishes to thank you for taking care of him all these years. She would like to send you a picture of herself so you could put it in Tober's book.
Thank you, Stella, Zkhats dog

TimberLove said...

Gentle woooos, godspeed kitteh,

NukNuk & Family

Peaches and Paprika said...

Tober, we am putting together a rainbow slideshow of all kitties who left us in 2015 and YOU will be in it, natch. The show will be online in February. We read about you in the ORF. Altough we're busy helping our human prepare the show we just had to stop and read about your amazing life. We hope your previous assistants are still reading your mail. You sound like an amazing kitty to put up with all those different people hugging you. Good thing you liked tummy rubs. Rest well across the bridge, dear friend, and hugs & purrs to this in Thornton library who loved you!

Peaches and Paprika said...

Dear HUMANS belonging to Tober, I have created a 2015 Bloggers Remembrance show and TOBER IS IN THE SLIDEHOW! You are welcome to post the link on your blog or library page. My condolences on the loss of this handsome and unique animal. Here's the link:

2015 RAINBOW BRIDGE SLIDESHOW IN WHICH TOBER APPEARS:

http://peachesandpaprika.blogspot.com/2016/02/blogger-rainbow-bridge-remembrance.html

Love, Carol, Peaches and Paprika

Peaches and Paprika said...

Angel Tober, please ask your humans to visit my blog posting of approx Feb 2 where there is a Rainbow Bridge slideshow. YOU are one of the kitties being honored! http://www.peachesandpaprika.blogspot.com. Best wishes, Carol Lowbeer kittie Mom

Hallebose said...

Sorry to hear.

Cindy said...

Oh no! Haven't been by in awhile and that I'd see what you were up to. Beautiful tribute to a beautiful cat. Tears.

CAB said...

This is sad, I always liked visiting the library with you.