Golly Gee Whiskers About June, 1992 - August 29, 2008

A Few Good Words:

I first met Golly Boy a long time ago, (as a 'Cat', with no name yet), when he was a gift for adoption to me at Christmas, from my older sister Mary Beth, and her daughters Sarah and Cassie. It was Christmas 1992. I was 40 then, doing quite well around those times, and thinking: 'What the heck did I want with a cat.' 'And what was I going to do with this cat...' He and I shared almost 16 very wonderful years together.

He was an adoption from the Longmont, CO Humane Society, described as Lynx point or blue point cross, with maybe some Burmese in him, and about 6 months old. He lived to be well over 100 in 'cat-years'.

Apparently, he had been a previous adoption from there that was relatively short lived. And even though I affectionately early on referred to him as a 'rejection', I cannot imagine how or why it may have happened. For me, he was the most wonderful and affectionate companion anyone could ever hope for. (Golly's birth date may actually be around the same time of year as pilot and author Antoine de Saint-Exupery, who wrote 'The Little Prince' in 1943.)

Anyhow, my sis had me all set up with everything that I was going to need, including the 'cat-carrier' so I could take him home. He did walk right into it, and in the car enroute Fort Collins he just laid quietly in there, until after awhile I heard a little meow of sorts, and he looked at me there driving... So I opened the carrier door, he stepped out, and stretched a little bit, and then just walked over and sat comfortably, (for both of us), in my lap. That was the first and last time we ever used the cat-carrier at all. I eventually gave it away. And he subsequently has traveled tens of thousands of miles without a problem. He has been in a myriad of vehicles with lots of folks, and often rode in someone's lap, with it typically being the driver's.

It did not take long for me to come around to that little guy, and we were forever a good fit. And after all, we did match pretty well, - both having blue eyes, and gray 'fur'...

His name pretty much just came to him. And he continued to live up to it his entire life. Those who experienced him along the way would often just say things like '...golly, look at that cat there, doing that thing...' He was especially good at riding on my shoulders, or another's shoulders should they be available. He could hang out there, quite relaxed for sometimes hours at a time, effortlessly, or he could hold on tight, if need be. He much preferred being there than being held, unless it was a lap opportunity. From my shoulders we could together move about and walk, hike, sit, or just hang out together. If I had a backpack on, he would perch atop that, and in Winter, he would sometimes be inside my hood as we snow-shoed or cross-country skied. He was a good neck warmer. More than once on the downhill run, like returning from overnights at the Lake Agnes cabin, or a yurt, other folks would turn their heads, and one once exclaimed right to me; 'Look, there's a man with a cat on his shoulders!!'

So, whether he was Golly, or Golly Boy, Golly Gee, or simply G.B. (Golly / Good Boy), his name was always an exclamation of delight, or amazement, surprise and excitement, and of course, joy.

When working, I often would have him just hang up there on my shoulders while I went about my tasks. He always seemed interested in whatever the job may be. One of his favorites was to watch at the grinding wheels as the sparks flew around...

Golly went most everywhere, and did most everything with me, got along well with just about anyone, and was quite used to the company of several dogs. (I also had an older Golden Retriever then; 'Elverum' was her name.) He learned quickly to walk on a leash, and would typically accompany me to the mailbox and back, most days. Also, when in the mood, he was quite good at go-fetch. Even friends that were typically cat allergic, didn't seem negatively affected around Golly Boy.

He was a 'construction-cat' too, from early on. Got used to the noise and power tools, and would ride along and hang out during several projects... One included interior work and finishing of a new veterinary clinic. Where he was certainly the first '4-legged' to visit. And his favorite spot there was to nap in the bathroom sink, - it was cool there, and so was he.

Golly was pretty good on the bike too. For a while, we did a cushion-lined box on the rear carrier, which I or the neighborhood kids would chauffeur him around in. And he was fine unless you stopped for too long, he'd get bored, hop out and go exploring on his own... We did a few trips over to Moab, UT area, including camping and biking.

He went most everywhere, and pretty much approved of all that we did, and most everyone we met. He most always wore his collar with his Tag; 'Golly', and our home address, and my one phone number, - that worked most places home or mobile. (And it 'rescued' him/ and his sister 'Daisy', more than once...but always we reunited) One time over near Gunnison he had wandered a little, and after much searching I finally got the voice mail message from some little neighbor girls that had him. They said not to worry though; they had dressed him up, tried him in several outfits, and would have him back after they showed him off to a few other friends' houses... He came back fine. We had few secrets, Golly Boy and me.

Halloween was a favorite holiday; he loved to greet everyone at the door. And Golly was the only male pet I can ever recall really knowing. Growing up, we kids always had female cats and / or dogs. Nevertheless, Golly Boy, (or 'G.B.' / Good Boy), was the most loving and affectionate animal that I have ever known. He would often just appear at the perfect moment, and often purred in just a 'purr-fect' way.

In those early years, we camped some in tents, (always with a traveling cat-litter box...), and also did cabins, yurts, and he was good at 'stealth camping', when necessary in motels. In 2000 he and I traveled back to Burlington, Iowa with my friend Kathy, and my family, for the Boy Scout reunion and time capsule opening that my dad had sealed back in the 1960's. Golly has been to both the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean coasts, as well as the Gulf of Mexico beach; and almost to Mexico too...

Golly and I (before Daisy Girl), had done a solo trip to the Boundary Waters and Thunder Bay Ontario area with the converted work van. That particular Fall trip was a cool and rainy one, where the little Golly Boy spent much of the time hunkered down under a little pup tent in the canoe, - but always to come out for some lap or shoulder time, whenever the weather would break. At our take out point, we visited with some folks including a little girl, apparently quite unhappy and homesick... When she saw Golly, and asked to pet him; well she just crawled right up in there with him and they just snuggled, cuddled, and purred together for quite some time. She got a pretty good lovin' fix; - I think the sun came out then too.

In the Summer when Golly was almost 10, Daisy (the little Golden Retriever girl), came into our lives as his younger adopted sister. And at only 6-weeks she was only about half of his size. So, in good stead, Golly made sure that the hierarchy for things was set from the very beginning. Even as Daisy increased to several times his size, they were always good companions, played often, and looked out for each other, ...as well as me.

But our best trips have been since we got the 'Land Yacht', - the 21-foot, 'little' Chevy Motor Home... (Golly was the captain! I was just the driver...) Trips like northward to Tetons, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks. And we have ferried to the San Juan Islands, WA, as well as Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Then we did the Canadian Rockies including Waterton Lakes, Banff Provincial Parks, Lake Louise, and north to Jasper, Alberta. (So we made it about half way to Alaska). And we now have some good Canada friends met while camping, in Fernie, BC. Just last Fall we did a family 3-week trip to the Minnesota North and beyond. Back to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, as well as Lake Superior, Rainy Lake in Ontario, Lake of the Woods and Mille Lacs. I do believe our travels have inspired others to pet accompanied trips, and especially 'cat-shared' traveling. The Land Yacht has definitely been our home away from home; both good to take off in, and good to return 'home' in.

And we traveled year round, especially during the shoulder and 'off' seasons, - no matter what the weather, snow or cold. And some of our best times were out there enjoying it on the cusp. This last early Spring trip was a cool and snowy one back up to the Yellowstone area of Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana on wildlife photo safari. Daisy and Golly and I shared another very good time, and met some new folks. The Land Yacht sometimes goes places where not too many campers are seen.

Golly was instrumental in the reconstruction/ remodel project for our home here in Fort Collins on West Street. He was here through it all, together, us, all the time, and 10 years now, this Fall. Through thick and thin, - and believe me, there were some times when the dust was thick, and with the leaking roof, right onto the bed's pillow, - we did 'purr-severe'...

I distinctly remember the time when I was up by myself, working at installing shingles, way up on the new second story roof. It was a warm sunny day, and quiet, (except for the sounds of the air compressor and roofing nailer...) I heard something behind me, and there was Golly Boy, having just come all the way up the 30 foot round-runged aluminum extension ladder; apparently just to check on me, and see what was going on way up there.

He seemed perfectly comfortable, so after a greeting and a few pets, I let him walk around and check things out there near the treetops, while I continued on task with the project. A little while later, I turned around just in time to see him as he was heading back down the ladder on his own; nonchalantly down head first, step by step without incident, all the way back down to the ground. Those ladders always attracted him, usually climbing up to see, and often hanging out at the top for a while.

A couple of years ago now, we actually had like a weekend 'blind date' (... yes, from 'on-line'), with a woman from McCall, ID. And although short lived, a great experience, and in part because both Golly and Daisy got to share some more intimate/ and a few little hairy moments with her Husky dog and Wolf. (Yes, and he was big, a real pure wolf...)

We have traveled and repeated favorite spots throughout Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West. On a camping and hiking trip with friends, to the Sangre de Christo Mountain Range in Southern Colorado, it was a warm summer-picnic day. Well, Golly was just sitting there, and decided to go for a swim, across the creek, got out on the far side, shook-off, and proceeded to check out what was over there... It took me awhile to shed my boots, wade over to the other side, and after checking things out a little more, he 'rode' back across with me. He helped with fishing too, and on those occasions where I opted to keep one, we would always share in the bounty!

My Golly Boy was a one-der-full guy for me. A constant companion. My boy. Like a son, (or sun), an only and forever son ...to me. He was a one-of-a-kind, and a beautiful, and loving being. I have learned a lot from him.

I am and will surely miss my Golly Good Boy, more than words can describe. I will so miss those wondrous and glorious times that we shared together.



David Ring, September, 2008