A little update from the Reilly-Mermigas clan

Greetings from the Reilly-Mermigas Clan!  We hope everyone is doing well.

We are still convinced that our Angel Rusty the Bunnyman sent us our three little furbabies to keep us so busy that we don’t have time to be sad that he is gone.  It’s been over a year, and yet, his presence can still be felt in our home.  We are filled with love for the new clan but often find ourselves saying we wish he could have been part of this.  Yes, we know that was impossible, our hearts feel different. He did help prepare us for some of the adventures this year has brought us though!

Here are rare pictures of the three of them sleeping together.  They will often stalk birds and squirrels together and make excellent fly catchers.

Our little Fiona girl had to go for hernia surgery.  We had the sainted Dr Scott (who saw Rusty through all of his challenges) perform her surgery.   She came through awesome!  We had to keep her separate from the other two so we channeled our Bunnyman and created a two “room” suite for her, connecting two dog crates.  By doing this, we were able to keep the litter box separate from sleeping areas as well as giving the little one more room to move around.  We used the side entry on one of the crates and zip tied it with the front entry of the second crate.  This allowed us to have two entry points into her suite at all times.  Fully recovered from surgery! One other on going issue, when doing the bloodwork for surgery prep, they noted she has elevated liver enzymes. Not critical levels, but enough to have her on the Denamarin supplement daily.  I have actually learned how to pill cats after almost 30 years!!  She is doing great.

She chases her brother and mother around the house, tries to convince us she hasn’t eaten even though we just fed her, and makes a toy out of everything.  My floor is covered with bottle caps, courtesy of our little goofball.

 

Onto her brother Shrek, the sweetest, most devilish kitty I have ever had the honor of serving.   He must be part of everything that any hoomin or cat is involved in.  He is a cuddle bug.  We have a special bond because he is prone to sinus issues which I just cannot seem to get rid of. Dr Scott says it is nothing to worry about but I still would rather just have no issues at all.  We have spent many hours on the floor of the bathroom together, sharing time as we experience the joys of steam showers.  As much as he cuddles, he also attacks his sister and mother, chasing them around the house (fully play-no evil).  They do start it sometimes too.  He helps us make the bed and do laundry and takes care of breaking down the boxes for recycling by shredding each one.  I think Shrekkie may have been personally responsible for the Toilet Paper Shortage of 2020!

Wrapping up the clan is Ana Banana, also known as Momma Cat, the ring leader, little Miss Innocent, and a complete sweetheart!  Her almost human eyes pierce through you as you wake up with her lying on your chest.  Her kids have a great role model for mischievous behavior.  The Paper Towel Shortage of 2020… all her!

She is a very hard worker and will often supervise my Zoom calls.  She does insist on breaks for her staff, sitting on the computer so we have no choice but to obey.  Often, she will claim the chair when you get up.  She also likes “shopping” in every bag we bring into the house.

   

Overall, they are happy, healthy little creatures who keep us on our toes.  I am glad Rusty the Bunnyman sent them our way! No one cat will ever fill the space he had… We still say, he sent one for each paw.

Thank you for the support and love always shown here.  See you soon!

Head Scritches and Sandpaper Kisses Always,

Gina, Nick, Angel Tripawd Rusty the Bunnyman, Ana Banana, Shrek and Fiona

Greetings from the Reilly-Mermigas Furry Clan

It has been a while since I came out to this site which brought so much hope and comfort with our Bunnyman. Maybe it was because of the struggles we went through, the victories we won, our ultimate loss, and all the days in between, but both Nick and I found ourselves missing the little guy more than any other furbaby we have lost before.    We decided that while we don’t have the means to make one big donation to this wonderful place, we can still manage the monthly donations and hopefully that can help families who have a tough decision to make have another option.  It was the least we could do to pay back the love and support so freely given to us.

Onto happier moments, Nick and I are now married!  We decided not to wait any longer and had a small socially distanced wedding with family and friends on Zoom.  Our newest adoptees have us wrapped around their little paws and made an appearance (not in person) at our ceremony.

Of course our boy was there too.

Here are some other photos of the crazy clan.

Helping with the wedding prep

  

And other pictures just too cute not to share!

The face of innocence  

They make us smile through unexpected tears and keep us laughing with their antics.  Rusty the Bunnyman’s spirit lives on through them.

Thank you for the support and love always shown here.  See you soon!

Head Scritches and Sandpaper Kisses Always,

Gina, Nick, Angel Tripawd Rusty the Bunnyman, Ana Banana, Shrek and Fiona

The Bunnyman’s Legacy Lives on…

Has it been two weeks already?  The number of times we look around a corner and expect to see the Bunnyman’s face is decreasing but we still catch ourselves doing it.  We miss him like crazy and the outpouring of love and support for our little guy has been beautiful.  We received our collage, electronic banner in his honor, a paw print with rainbow bridge, sympathy cards (including one from Dr Scott himself), a donation was made to a local shelter in Rusty’s honor, and a lot of memories shared.

To honor him the best is to pay his love forward.  I would like to take a moment to introduce you to our THREE new babies (one for each paw of our Lord and Master, Sir Rusty Bunnyman.)  Shhhh… don’t tell the furry kids, they are odd looking… they have 4 paws!!

Meet Ana Banana (1.5 yrs old) and her two kids, Shrek and Fiona (7 months old).  The local shelter had this beautiful family and we did not want to split them up.

They have already made themselves at home.

 

We have a bat car from Build-a-Bear.  Well, THEY have a bat car from Build-a-Bear.

 

 

Shrek has a cold/URI so we are medicating him already and Ana Banana needs some too.  To help his stuffiness, we are taking steam showers, where I sit on the floor with him and have the shower running to ease his breathing.  It seems to be helping and provides a lot of bonding time for us.

Rusty has channeled himself through this little fur balls a few different times.  Fiona is learning the power of the carrot.

 

Other than that, Nick and I are exhausted!  We forgot about the energy of the youth! We are “redecorating”, moving everything out of reach of the 4 am indy 500 routes, etc.  

We are very happy we are in a position to welcome these little ones into our lives and give them the opportunity to stay to together.  We would have given the world to not be in this position and have our little Bunnyman with us forever but it was not to be.  So, live on little man, through the antics of these CRAZY kitties.

Head Scritches and tiny Sand Paper Kisses,

Gina and Nick, Tripawd Angel Rusty, Ana Banana, Shrek and Fiona.

A Message from the Rainbow Bridge

My Dearest Tripawd Family,

Thank you for helping my hoomins through one of the hardest days of their lives and the next days to come.  I know their hearts are breaking, but I am really in a better place.

Rescuing these two silly people in 2014 is the best thing I ever did.  When they became my Mommy and Daddy, they gave me so many treats, stuffed carrots, my own king size bed that I sometimes shared with them, belly rubs, head scritches, scratchy pads, foam tiles, food in every room, stairs everywhere to help me to my favorite spots, lots of Cat TV, toys and so many more things.   I got to meet Dr. Scott who helped them keep me healthy too.  Too bad I had to go on those stoooopid car rides to see him!

We had a few years that I was 100% healthy then my leg started hurting.  Mommy and Daddy paid my rescuing them forward and rescued me right back.  They found a way to keep me healthy and pain free for almost 3 more years!  During this part of my journey is when I got to meet all of you!  Mommy and I shared all of the cool things we did together to make it easier on us Tripawds.  I hope some of it helps those of kitties that are new to this world.  You guys sure helped us.  With your help, I became the Super Tripawd you know.  I caught mice, stole hearts, and lived my life to the fullest.  I helped Daddy wrap Christmas presents, stole puzzle pieces from my Grandma, loved on our visitors, and was simply the best Bunnyman I could be.

Unfortunately a few weeks ago I could no longer hide the fact that my breathing wasn’t good.  Mommy and Daddy were able to tell something was wrong…as they usually can.  Despite my protests, they brought me in to the emergency room in the middle of the night where someone who wasn’t Dr. Scott looked at me, gave me a shot and catheter, put me in a special room/cage with “oxygen”, and gave me meds.  They took xrays and called Mommy and Daddy.  I stayed with these people for 2 days and felt a little better but still not great.  Dr. Scott even visited with me during my stay.

Because I try to be a good boy, I rallied enough to go home to Mommy and Daddy.  I heard them saying stuff like congestive heart failure, cancer in lungs, quality of life, etc but I just wanted to sleep.  I hung out in the closet in our bedroom for a few days.  I didn’t want to eat anything.  I was just too tired.  When I finally had enough rest, I moved out to couch so I could spend time with them.  I ate a little bit for Mommy but my belly couldn’t really take it.  (BTW-after a few days of this, Mommy called the vet and then got this fetish with my ears!!!  Transdermal meds she called them.  WEIRD.)

Anyway, I wanted my hoomins to know how much I loved them and wanted to visit their special spots.  I spent the last week at home in the bedroom (either on the bed, in the closet, or on the blankies), on the couch and even went to Daddy’s special Comic Book Room where I stayed for a few days hanging out on his recliner.  It was nice and cool and easier to breathe.  Mommy and Daddy brought me my favorite blankie and CARROT!  To thank them, I ate a little bit for Mommy again.  I also wanted to surprise them.

After they visited me in the comic room, I made my way upstairs.  It was a long journey.  I took 3 or 4 steps and had to rest, but I did it!  I made it to the top of the stairs, laid down in the hallway for a few minutes, then yelled Mom! Dad! (or to the hoomin ear…MEEOOOOOOW!)  They, of course, came running as always.  Somehow I knew it was important for them to see me upstairs.  I went on the bed, hoping Mommy would get the message and join me.  She did.  We cuddled all night.  Daddy gave me pets and then let me stay with Mommy.

The next day, the three of us watched Cat Tv and just had quiet day.  I could no longer hide my breathing.  It was hard.  I slept with Mommy one more night, letting her know I love her.

On Saturday, Mommy and Daddy called Dr.Scott.  After a brief conversation, they brought me on another car ride during which I complained.  This felt different though.  They seemed very sad.  When we got to Dr Scott’s place, we went inside.  Mommy and Daddy kept petting me and telling me how much they loved me until someone took me away from them.  Those people stuck a catheter into my back leg.  You would be proud of me…I did not make it easy for them!!  They brought me back to Mommy and Daddy and Dr Scott came in and said hi too.  They all were telling me what a brave, strong boy I am.  How I put up an awesome fight but I could let go now.

I started feeling very sleepy, put my head on my carrot and favorite blankie … and then suddenly I could breathe freely and run once more!!

I looked around and saw Mommy and Daddy crying like I never have before but I couldn’t do anything to stop it.  I just wanted them to know that I AM OK now.  Thank you for loving me and I will always love you.

As their journey on Earth continues, I know they have more love to give and that is why it hurts so much.  I came to Mommy in a dream and showed her kittens that need her and Daddy to love them.  They can pay my love forward and start feeling those Sand Paper Kisses again soon.

Thank you again my Tripawd family for letting me and my hoomins into your hearts.  I will be looking over you and waiting for you on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.

Sand Paper Kisses,

Rusty the Bunnyman

Rusty has gained his wings

My heart is broken.  We made the call. Dr.Scott agreed it was time.We brought Rusty in and helped him to the Rainbow Bridge this morning.

Until the very end, our boy was giving us gifts of love and memories.  As mentioned in earlier posts, he chose Daddy’s comic book room in the basement to hang out in for a few days.  On Thursday evening we had checked on Rusty in the basement and came back upstairs.

We were sitting in the living room and heard MEOW. He was upstairs on his own.

He hung in the hallway for a little bit then up on my bed.

He cuddled with Mommy overnight and stayed in the bedroom all day Friday, alternating between the closet, blankets on the floor and the bed.
I woke up to this face.

We watched some Cat TV.

We had one more night of sleeping on the bed with Mommy and his carrot.

This morning we knew. We love him forever and are grateful for what he gave us.  We had to give him our last gift. Peace.

(you can see in this last picture of him at the vets office today, he didn’t have the Bunnyman life in his eyes (although he did fight the catheter and complained to Dr Scott).  )

Thank you to the Tripawd nation for your prayers, support and love from the first moment our little boy was introduced to you.

With love… head scritches and memories of his sand paper kisses…

Gina and Nick