What a wonderful way to honor Nomar. I’ll be thinking of both of you as you make this challenging climb.
I have been blessed to have several lovely kitties in my life. I’d be honored if you’d think of Mookie, Sam, Chico, Stanley and Larry who are all waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge. Two years ago we adopted two awesome kitties: Molly, 13 and Tuffy, 15. They bring us so much joy.
Thank you so much—that means a lot to me. I’ll definitely be thinking of Mookie, Sam, Chico, Stanley, and Larry on the climb tomorrow. What a beautiful crew waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge.
And I love that you adopted Molly and Tuffy. Senior cats have such a special energy—wise, quirky, and full of heart. You gave them such a gift, and I’m sure they’re giving it right back.
Appreciate your support. I’ll carry your words with me up those steps. 🐾💛
You've got this! What a lovely tribute. I lost my "heart cat," Max, and his non-biological brother (whom I also adored, of course), Steve-o, in 2019 and 2015. So many years later, I'm still tearing up now as I type this. We had four cats at the time and still have the other two, Shelby and Bumble. I feel like I become a better cat parent with each one. Shelby has kidney disease and pancreatitis, and we're lucky to have a great holistic vet near us who works with our "Western vet" to prescribe the best possible care. Shelby, who we suspect might be 16-17, has improved dramatically as a result. Bumble is all good so far (fingers crossed!), but I feel so much more knowledgeable now and able to help him when/if he needs it. I'm glad to have learned so much over the years, but it still breaks my heart that I was so ignorant when caring for Max and Steve-o. They deserved better, and that is my deepest regret. Thank you so much for honoring Nomar and Mia so meaningfully by hosting this site and helping the rest of us become better caregivers. Have fun tomorrow, and know that people all over the world are rooting for you and also honoring Nomar. :)
Thank you for such a thoughtful and heartfelt message. I felt your love for Max and Steve-o in every word—and your honesty about the regrets we carry hit home for me too. I’ve had those same thoughts about Nomar and Mia, especially toward the end.
But like you said so beautifully, each cat teaches us how to be better. I truly believe Max and Steve-o paved the way for Shelby and Bumble to receive the kind of care they’re getting now. That’s part of their legacy. And it sounds like they were so deeply loved. That matters. A lot.
I’ll be thinking of all of them on the climb tomorrow—especially Max and Steve-o. Thank you for cheering me on and for being part of this special little cat-loving corner of the world with me. 💛
P.S. So glad you have a great holistic vet in your corner. That makes such a difference. Give Shelby and Bumble a head scratch from me.
Hi Scott, I’ve been following your prep journey and I’m so sorry for the loss of Nomar. Losing a furchild leaves a deep cut in our hearts, but those cuts show we were blessed to have shared unconditional love. I have been blessed to have several canine whiskers and each one has held a special place in my heart. My most recent loss was my little soul dog, Charlotte, a black and tan chihuahua, that I adopted when a good friend passed. She made her family promise they would get Charlotte to me if anything happened to her as she was elderly with heart issues. Charlotte joined my pack at age 2 and just somehow blended perfectly into the family dynamics. She almost made it to her 16th Birthday, bravely fighting diabetes and ITP her last 6 years and did well. I had to let her rest in March when she developed CHF. She just told me she was tired and ready to go. My whole life was centered around her the past 6 years, giving her insulin injections and meals on time twice a day. She was my little shadow, always demanding her spot by my side. Please keep Charlotte in mind on your climb and I wish you a safe and victorious climb! Lisa & Charlotte, Kingsport, TN
Thank you so much for following along—it means more than you know. I’m so sorry about the loss of your sweet Charlotte. What a powerful bond the two of you had. It sounds like she was your little shadow and your whole rhythm, and I can feel the love and care you poured into her every single day.
Six years of insulin and ITP care… that’s no small thing. That’s devotion. And I love that your friend trusted you so much that she made sure Charlotte would end up by your side if anything happened. That just shows how much love surrounded that little dog.
I’ll definitely carry Charlotte with me on the climb. She sounds like a brave little soul who knew how to take up space in the very best way. Thank you for sharing her story with me.
Hopefully your grief is easing.. we always second guess ourselves, don’t we? Give yourself permission to know that we all do the best we can with the information we have at the time. My very first cat is Ozzy and he is 18.5yrs and diabetic. However long he is here will never be long enough. If you wouldn’t mind keeping my rabbit Nutmeg in your thoughts, that would be lovely. She was 10 when she passed, and she and Ozzy were pals. Thank you. May you have a great experience.
Thanks so much, Denise. You're right—we really do second guess ourselves, even when we’re doing our best. I’ll be thinking of Nutmeg on the climb. I love that she and Ozzy were pals—that kind of bond always stays with us.
Sending love to you and Ozzy. 18.5 is incredible. However long he’s with you, I know he’s lucky to be so loved.
Good morning Scott hopefully you are eating good food to make that tremendous accomplishment to happen. I want to share with you and everyone the passing of my Apple hopefully you will carry him to your walking up those stairs. Apple was bought in a pet shop in 2004 he came in my life and survived my domestic violence even threats on his life and 2 other cats. Than he needed help with many illnesses a move to Yonkers. He was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in 2019 he lived to 2022 October 27 in the same month he came in 2004. August 25 is honor Apple day because that was his birthday month. He was very dear to me and he helped me to get away from abuse and change my diet keto wheatfree I do my own exercises with my yoga toes toe separators socks. I get up to see the sunrise to take care of my 2 rescue cats Almond kidney diease and Pecan. We wish you well and stay strong eating plenty meat no carbohydrates but maybe your a vegetarian diet. I always advocate wheatfree grainfree. This diet is a miracle. I make a good carrot soup with onions celery and peaches ! Wishing you the best wish I could do that too.
Thank you so much for sharing Apple’s story with me. What an incredible little soul he was—and what a powerful bond you had. I’m so sorry for your loss, but I can also feel how much strength, healing, and love he brought into your life. Surviving abuse, guiding you through illness and lifestyle change, and staying by your side for all those years… that’s the kind of love that never leaves us.
I’ll be honored to carry Apple with me on the Incline climb—especially as we approach Apple day. Step by step, I’ll be thinking of him, of you, and of the power our animals have to transform our lives.
Sending a hug to you, Almond, and Pecan. And that carrot-peach soup sounds amazing. :)
Hello Scott, I am so, so sorry that Nomar is no longer with you. The loss of a pet is one of the worst pains there is. But the way you are honouring him is very beautiful. You carry Nomar with you, but I am sure that Nomar carries you with him, wherever he is. I take care of stray cats every day, and last April I took in an adorable senior cat who was in very poor health. I did everything I could to save her, but she passed away. The pain is still very raw, and I haven't been able to honour her as I would like to. Her name was Oona. And if you don't mind, I would love for you to take her with you on your climb. Thank you so much. I will be thinking of you tomorrow. <3
Thank you so much for this. Your words mean a lot to me.
I’m so sorry about sweet Oona. I can feel the love in the way you talk about her, and I know how deep that pain runs—especially when you've done everything you could to give them comfort and care. Senior cats have such a quiet, powerful way of getting into our hearts, don’t they?
And yes… I would be honored to carry Oona with me up the Incline tomorrow. She’ll be right there with me alongside Nomar, step by step.
Thank you so, so much, Scott! You have no idea how much that means to me.
Indeed, senior cats have a special soul that pierces right through our unnecessary armour and touches us deeply. I don't know if it's their fragility or, on the contrary, their strength, their wisdom or their trust in us that moves us so much, but they are definitely special little beings.
Thank you for the beautiful words—and for thinking of Nomar and Oona tomorrow. Senior cats really are something else. There’s just a soulfulness in their eyes that speaks straight to the heart, like you said.
And I hadn't read Katia’s piece—thank you for sharing it. I just bookmarked it for after the climb.
I also had a special Mia, a Tortie who brightened my life for 25 wonderful years. She had a heart problem. I think she may have also had kidney disease. She passed at home next to me in bed. I will never forget her.
I believe Nomar will be with you in spirit every step of the way.
Thank you very much, Scott. We specifically sought out senior kitties who tend to get overlooked. You’re so right; they are indeed very special. Tuffy has IBD and we’re trying Chinese herbal medicine. A year ago he had a malignant fibrosarcoma removed and underwent 18 radiation treatments at our fantastic Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital in eastern Washington. We spent a month in a motel over there. He remains cancer free (yay) and this journey has deepened our bond. I’m so proud of the way he fought through this.
Hi Scott,
What a wonderful way to honor Nomar. I’ll be thinking of both of you as you make this challenging climb.
I have been blessed to have several lovely kitties in my life. I’d be honored if you’d think of Mookie, Sam, Chico, Stanley and Larry who are all waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge. Two years ago we adopted two awesome kitties: Molly, 13 and Tuffy, 15. They bring us so much joy.
Godspeed, Scott. You got this!
Hi Ilse,
Thank you so much—that means a lot to me. I’ll definitely be thinking of Mookie, Sam, Chico, Stanley, and Larry on the climb tomorrow. What a beautiful crew waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge.
And I love that you adopted Molly and Tuffy. Senior cats have such a special energy—wise, quirky, and full of heart. You gave them such a gift, and I’m sure they’re giving it right back.
Appreciate your support. I’ll carry your words with me up those steps. 🐾💛
You've got this! What a lovely tribute. I lost my "heart cat," Max, and his non-biological brother (whom I also adored, of course), Steve-o, in 2019 and 2015. So many years later, I'm still tearing up now as I type this. We had four cats at the time and still have the other two, Shelby and Bumble. I feel like I become a better cat parent with each one. Shelby has kidney disease and pancreatitis, and we're lucky to have a great holistic vet near us who works with our "Western vet" to prescribe the best possible care. Shelby, who we suspect might be 16-17, has improved dramatically as a result. Bumble is all good so far (fingers crossed!), but I feel so much more knowledgeable now and able to help him when/if he needs it. I'm glad to have learned so much over the years, but it still breaks my heart that I was so ignorant when caring for Max and Steve-o. They deserved better, and that is my deepest regret. Thank you so much for honoring Nomar and Mia so meaningfully by hosting this site and helping the rest of us become better caregivers. Have fun tomorrow, and know that people all over the world are rooting for you and also honoring Nomar. :)
Hi Courtney,
Thank you for such a thoughtful and heartfelt message. I felt your love for Max and Steve-o in every word—and your honesty about the regrets we carry hit home for me too. I’ve had those same thoughts about Nomar and Mia, especially toward the end.
But like you said so beautifully, each cat teaches us how to be better. I truly believe Max and Steve-o paved the way for Shelby and Bumble to receive the kind of care they’re getting now. That’s part of their legacy. And it sounds like they were so deeply loved. That matters. A lot.
I’ll be thinking of all of them on the climb tomorrow—especially Max and Steve-o. Thank you for cheering me on and for being part of this special little cat-loving corner of the world with me. 💛
P.S. So glad you have a great holistic vet in your corner. That makes such a difference. Give Shelby and Bumble a head scratch from me.
Hi Scott, I’ve been following your prep journey and I’m so sorry for the loss of Nomar. Losing a furchild leaves a deep cut in our hearts, but those cuts show we were blessed to have shared unconditional love. I have been blessed to have several canine whiskers and each one has held a special place in my heart. My most recent loss was my little soul dog, Charlotte, a black and tan chihuahua, that I adopted when a good friend passed. She made her family promise they would get Charlotte to me if anything happened to her as she was elderly with heart issues. Charlotte joined my pack at age 2 and just somehow blended perfectly into the family dynamics. She almost made it to her 16th Birthday, bravely fighting diabetes and ITP her last 6 years and did well. I had to let her rest in March when she developed CHF. She just told me she was tired and ready to go. My whole life was centered around her the past 6 years, giving her insulin injections and meals on time twice a day. She was my little shadow, always demanding her spot by my side. Please keep Charlotte in mind on your climb and I wish you a safe and victorious climb! Lisa & Charlotte, Kingsport, TN
Hi Lisa,
Thank you so much for following along—it means more than you know. I’m so sorry about the loss of your sweet Charlotte. What a powerful bond the two of you had. It sounds like she was your little shadow and your whole rhythm, and I can feel the love and care you poured into her every single day.
Six years of insulin and ITP care… that’s no small thing. That’s devotion. And I love that your friend trusted you so much that she made sure Charlotte would end up by your side if anything happened. That just shows how much love surrounded that little dog.
I’ll definitely carry Charlotte with me on the climb. She sounds like a brave little soul who knew how to take up space in the very best way. Thank you for sharing her story with me.
Hopefully your grief is easing.. we always second guess ourselves, don’t we? Give yourself permission to know that we all do the best we can with the information we have at the time. My very first cat is Ozzy and he is 18.5yrs and diabetic. However long he is here will never be long enough. If you wouldn’t mind keeping my rabbit Nutmeg in your thoughts, that would be lovely. She was 10 when she passed, and she and Ozzy were pals. Thank you. May you have a great experience.
Thanks so much, Denise. You're right—we really do second guess ourselves, even when we’re doing our best. I’ll be thinking of Nutmeg on the climb. I love that she and Ozzy were pals—that kind of bond always stays with us.
Sending love to you and Ozzy. 18.5 is incredible. However long he’s with you, I know he’s lucky to be so loved.
Thank you so much! There is a picture of them on Ozzy’s fb page https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1B8s4Cwk93/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Oh my word, so cute! ❤️
Good morning Scott hopefully you are eating good food to make that tremendous accomplishment to happen. I want to share with you and everyone the passing of my Apple hopefully you will carry him to your walking up those stairs. Apple was bought in a pet shop in 2004 he came in my life and survived my domestic violence even threats on his life and 2 other cats. Than he needed help with many illnesses a move to Yonkers. He was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in 2019 he lived to 2022 October 27 in the same month he came in 2004. August 25 is honor Apple day because that was his birthday month. He was very dear to me and he helped me to get away from abuse and change my diet keto wheatfree I do my own exercises with my yoga toes toe separators socks. I get up to see the sunrise to take care of my 2 rescue cats Almond kidney diease and Pecan. We wish you well and stay strong eating plenty meat no carbohydrates but maybe your a vegetarian diet. I always advocate wheatfree grainfree. This diet is a miracle. I make a good carrot soup with onions celery and peaches ! Wishing you the best wish I could do that too.
Hi Jean,
Thank you so much for sharing Apple’s story with me. What an incredible little soul he was—and what a powerful bond you had. I’m so sorry for your loss, but I can also feel how much strength, healing, and love he brought into your life. Surviving abuse, guiding you through illness and lifestyle change, and staying by your side for all those years… that’s the kind of love that never leaves us.
I’ll be honored to carry Apple with me on the Incline climb—especially as we approach Apple day. Step by step, I’ll be thinking of him, of you, and of the power our animals have to transform our lives.
Sending a hug to you, Almond, and Pecan. And that carrot-peach soup sounds amazing. :)
Hello Scott, I am so, so sorry that Nomar is no longer with you. The loss of a pet is one of the worst pains there is. But the way you are honouring him is very beautiful. You carry Nomar with you, but I am sure that Nomar carries you with him, wherever he is. I take care of stray cats every day, and last April I took in an adorable senior cat who was in very poor health. I did everything I could to save her, but she passed away. The pain is still very raw, and I haven't been able to honour her as I would like to. Her name was Oona. And if you don't mind, I would love for you to take her with you on your climb. Thank you so much. I will be thinking of you tomorrow. <3
Hi Leaf,
Thank you so much for this. Your words mean a lot to me.
I’m so sorry about sweet Oona. I can feel the love in the way you talk about her, and I know how deep that pain runs—especially when you've done everything you could to give them comfort and care. Senior cats have such a quiet, powerful way of getting into our hearts, don’t they?
And yes… I would be honored to carry Oona with me up the Incline tomorrow. She’ll be right there with me alongside Nomar, step by step.
Thank you so, so much, Scott! You have no idea how much that means to me.
Indeed, senior cats have a special soul that pierces right through our unnecessary armour and touches us deeply. I don't know if it's their fragility or, on the contrary, their strength, their wisdom or their trust in us that moves us so much, but they are definitely special little beings.
You may have already read it, but Katia Colitti wrote a wonderful post about senior cats here: https://katiacolittiletterstomosi.substack.com/p/on-velveteen-rabbits
From the bottom of my heart, thank you again, Scott. While you're climbing, I'll also be thinking of Nomar and Oona.
Thank you for the beautiful words—and for thinking of Nomar and Oona tomorrow. Senior cats really are something else. There’s just a soulfulness in their eyes that speaks straight to the heart, like you said.
And I hadn't read Katia’s piece—thank you for sharing it. I just bookmarked it for after the climb.
Hi Scott,
I admire what you are doing to honor Nomar.
I also had a special Mia, a Tortie who brightened my life for 25 wonderful years. She had a heart problem. I think she may have also had kidney disease. She passed at home next to me in bed. I will never forget her.
I believe Nomar will be with you in spirit every step of the way.
Thank you very much, Scott. We specifically sought out senior kitties who tend to get overlooked. You’re so right; they are indeed very special. Tuffy has IBD and we’re trying Chinese herbal medicine. A year ago he had a malignant fibrosarcoma removed and underwent 18 radiation treatments at our fantastic Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital in eastern Washington. We spent a month in a motel over there. He remains cancer free (yay) and this journey has deepened our bond. I’m so proud of the way he fought through this.