Bowden is not in the cat blogging world, but his human is a really good friend of Mom Paula. Many of you know that Mom Paula plays the piano in church on Sunday mornings and recently celebrated 10 years at the same church. The organist/pianist is a wonderful person and friend to Mom Paula and was there for her when she lost Sweet Praline. Mr. Bill rescued Bowden over 10 years ago from Pets, Inc. in Columbia, SC. The family who owned Bowden had to give him up when the lady's elderly father came to live with them and he was allergic. Luckily, for Bowden, Mr. Bill decided to go to Pets Inc. one day at lunch. Mr. Bill says he doesn't know why he went that day, but he did. He said Bowden was in a back room all by himself and the workers said that Bowden didn't get along with any of the other cats. Mr. Bill said that Bowden was growling at all of the humans and everyone was afraid of him. Mr. Bill said that for some reason, he knew Bowden wasn't mean, just loud and boisterous. Mr. Bill said he couldn't get Bowden off his mind all day and went back after work and got him.
Bowden was a Bengal, but he still had a lot of "wild" in him. He was one generation removed from his Asian Leopard parent and this is a generation that isn't usually sold as a pet/show kitty. Mr. Bill said that if Bowden didn't know you, he didn't like you. Bowden stayed under the bed the first couple of weeks he came to live with Mr. Bill. Mr. Bill said that that eventually changed and Bowden wanted to be in the room with him all the time. Bowden loved to curl up beside him, but wasn't a lap kitty (sounds like us). Bowden never met a box he didn't wouldn't crawl into and he was a very opinionated kitty who didn't mind sharing his opinion with anyone who would listen (and even those who wouldn't) and he usually got the last word in. Mr. Bill said Bowden was the best (and loudest) alarm clock and woke him up every morning at 6:00 a.m. so Mr. Bill would get out of the bed and have their morning conversation. Bowden would meet Mr. Bill at the door every time he came home and always knew when Mr. Bill needed a friend.
Bowden loved to lay underneath the grand piano and listen to Mr. Bill play. He would never make a sound until Mr. Bill stopped playing and then he would start talking. Mr. Bill said he didn't know if he wanted him to play some more and wanted to know when he was going to have some peace and quiet. We think he wanted him to play some more because Mom Paula says Mr. Bill is an amazing musician and she could listen to him play all day. Bowden loved to play in the water and drank his water from a bowl in the bathtub. He would put his paws in the bowl and stir it before drinking.
Bowden was with Mr. Bill for over 10 years and left for the bridge last Friday (January 23) after apparently suffering a stroke. Please send your best purrs and comforting thoughts to Mr. Bill as he grieves the loss of this special and unique fur child. We're sure Sweet Praline met Bowden at the bridge and they are sharing stories and secrets of Mr. Bill and Mom Paula.
Please leave your words of comfort in the comments and we will share them with Mr. Bill.
A sweet and lovely tribute post for handsome Bowden...Precious Bowden was loved and lived a happy life with Mr. Bill and though the grief is so deep when our babies have to go to the Bridge, LOVE never dies...Wishing Mr. Bill comfort and peace at this sad time...Sending big hugs...J,Calle, Halle, Sukki, Mommy Cat, Daddy Cat
ReplyDeleteI am sending lots of purrs to Bowden's human - they sound like they had a very, very special relationship.
ReplyDeleteThat is a wonderful story! Mr Bill is one in a million and he must be feeling very sad now! Bowden had a great life with him! x
ReplyDeleteLots of purrs for everyone who loved Bowden. He was obviously a very special cat.
ReplyDeleteWe are so sorry to hear abour Bowden. Purrs to Mr. Bill. They both were lucky to have each other.
ReplyDeleteI send my purrs to Mr Bill. Bowden was a fine cat and that is a lovely tribute to him.
ReplyDeleteWe are purring for Mr Bill and hope he will remember all the the happy times he spent with Bowden.
ReplyDeleteLuv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
What a wonderful tribute to handsome Bowden. We are so sorry for Mr. Bill and his loss. What a great 10 years they had together.
ReplyDeleteBowden was a beautiful cat. I am sorry for his loss, but I hope Mr. Bill takes comfort in knowing what a wonderful life he gave him.
ReplyDeleteplease let Mr. Bill know we are sending purrs. and thank him for giving Bowden a chance he might not otherwise have had.
ReplyDeleteSuch a handsome cat. He was luck to find Mr. Bill! We are very sorry for his loss.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to Bowden. My cat Katie seems to love it when I play the piano. She immediately comes into the room and will sometimes even join me on the piano bench.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your loss, Bill. I hope you will find comfort in knowing you gave Bowden a wonderful life.
(((hugs)))
We are sending purrs of comfort to Bowden's human. He was a very handsome mancat and we are so glad he had a loving home.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute. Bowden was absolutely gorgeous. It sounds like Bill and Bowden were meant to be together, and I pray he finds comfort in the wonderful memories they made together.
ReplyDeleteWe are so sorry for the loss of your dear Bowden.
ReplyDeleteToffee Ripple & Jessica
We are sorry to hear Bowden was needed at the Bridge. Beautiful tribute. It sounds like Bowden was a very fine and handsome boy who knew what he wanted and Mr. Bill was his most prized possession. Sending comforting purrs....
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful wonderful story. We are so sorry to hear Bowden went OTRB but this was a lovely way to share his beautiful story and the love shared with Mr Bill. Sad purrs.
ReplyDeleteBowden sounds like an amazing cat, thank you so much for telling us about him. We are sending purrs of comfort to Mr. Bill, we know he will miss his friend a great deal.
ReplyDeleteBowden sounds like he was a wonderful kitty. We are so very sorry for Mr. Bills loss.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like Bowden and Mr Bill were a purrfect match. Our Best Purrs Of Comfort to Mr Bill.
ReplyDeleteMr Bill I iz sending yoo a speshul hug full of love to help yoor achin heart. Dear Bowden is running like a kitten cat amongst da flowers over da rainbow bridge wif all our furpals alreddy dere. But he will always be sitting unda da grand piano or sitting on a chair watching yoo Mr Bill, he will never be far away but will always live in yoor heart. Bonnie da Westie xxx
ReplyDeleteRest in peace. {{{Hugs}}}
ReplyDeleteMom's and our condolences and sympathy for Mr. Bill. It seems as if he and Bowden were drawn to each other and were a purrfect match. We mourn Mr. Bill's loss with him. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
ReplyDeleteA lovely tribute to a kitty that was destined for Mr Bill.
ReplyDeleteThat kind of friendship is special and does not always happen.
That makes the loss that much harder.We know Mr Bill is hurting right now
and we send him comforting purrs and headbumps.
Purrs Georgia and Julie,
Treasure and JJ
My deepest condolences to Mr Bill. I have felt, as have we all, the terrible wrenching pain when our fur baby leaves us. XXX
ReplyDeleteI hope Mr Bill realises what a totally special, one-in-a-million cat Bowden was. They were ' meant to be together' and we all hope our pets will live forver, don't we. Our condolences on a loss that I know must hurt deeply,
ReplyDeleteMarjorie, Harvey, Miranda and Silver
Comforting purrs and hugs to Mr. Bill. We know all too well how it is to lose a loved fur kid.
ReplyDeletePurrs, hugs and love to Mr. Bill from all of us. That was quite the special friendship.
ReplyDeleteWe are so very sorry to hear of this, and we are so sorry for Mr. Bill's loss. Bowden sounds very special, and we know he will be missed very much.
ReplyDeletePurrs and hugs,
Carmine and Milita and Angel Jewel
We are sorry Mr. Bill lost his furry companion of ten years. It doesn't sound like he was ever bored around Bowden.
ReplyDeleteSending lots of purrs and prayers to Mr. Bill to comfort him for his loss of Bowden. Sounds like Mr. Bill knew just what Bowden needed those 10 years of their time together. Again we are so sorry for his loss and hope he knows that Bowden is playing his heart out at the Rainbow Bridge.
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