Pennycat here.
Yes, the rumors are true, I’m mostly retired from tweeting – much too time-consuming when I’ve worked so hard in my life to get the incredibly comfortable chairs around the house just perfect. (The Gray Ones know exactly which ones are mine and clear off immediately when they hear me coming.) But ol’ fluffhead with the pretty face has been keeping up his army for quite some time now, and when he lets loose with some call to arms, they all just come out of the woodwork.
So imagine my surprise when he puts out a call for twitter followers to let him know about cats or other people who have passed on – a very touching thought, in the abstract. But the realistic situation is many people have lost loved ones of all sorts, and when you have a million and a half people who adore you (for whatever reason), the well-wishing just comes flooding in. And flooding in. And flooding in more.
So here I am to clean up the mess. The following tweets came in today and represent socks’ megameow to those no longer with us:
@sockington my fave cat in the whole world just passed by the rainbow bridge few months ago. I still miss Lime so much. 
@sockington shiva and squirt, Alaskan Mals that like cats chased evil squirrels from the yard
@sockington I lost my special little girl, Voogaman. She was an expert mouser and a sweet sister to Lemon. Thanks for the shout-out.
My brofur Jim passed away & mama has some more info:http://badandysotherstuff.blogspot.com/2011/01/little-more-on-my-jim-my-beautiful.html
@sockington El Gato Negro. My tiny, ferocious best friend. You will always be remembered as the cutest, snuggliest and deadliest best friend
@sockington lost my best friend of 24 yrs Spot on 10/12/10 and miss her kitty face every day
@sockington I lost 3 pets in 3 months…. (Old age not a tragic accident or bad parenting I will just add) sad times
@sockington Psst.. Can we get a shout-out for Ron Patterson, co-creator of the Renaissance Faire and friend. Passed 01/15/2011
@sockington Meow-out to fallen gray homie Simon? Survived two strokes & death of his favorite person. Slayed countless vermin.
@sockington my cat lost her way last caturday, luckily my neighbour found her back and the end of the day.
@sockington I lost my bestest pal Loki after only eight short months of life. Heartbroken but at least I still have Dio (his brother)
sockington A really wonderful cat @Ryker_Tyker went OTRB in Nov, 2010. A shout-out for him would be pawsome! Thanks!
@sockington My cat Ollie is on the mend from kidney stone surgery.
@sockington I lost my cat Lutke nearly 3 years ago but it would have been his 21st last Saturday. I still miss him loads
@sockington lost my lovely black fluffy Brush to traffic accident Sun night. He was only 4 and we’re all heartbroken. Megameow, please!
@sockington 1 year ago I had 3 – 18yr old cats. Jackson and Noppy are gone, but at 19 Enfield is still hanging in. Love him, love them all.
@sockington our fluffy long hair orange cat, Louie, died back in December. He will be missed!
@sockington Please shout out my baby kitty, Storm, who left us in December after 19.5 wonderful years together. Momma and RePete miss him!
@sockington lost my big sweet (feline) guy, cubby in november. i still ache for his kisses.
@sockington I lost my fish Mr. Bubbles last monthhttp://yfrog.com/h0hswvj
@sockington So sweet — I recently lost my dear companion of 14 years, a handsome tabby named Spalding.
@sockington @HollyCatRocks We lost our beloved rat Burton Guster on Mon., Jan 3rd this year.
@sockington I lost my little Pygmy hedgehog boy, Bonty, a few months ago. Still miss him loads :’(
@sockington A true miracle cat @CuteKittyWillie left us the morning after Christmas.
@sockington I lost Ming the Merciless – a beautiful black girl with yellow eyes after 14 and a half years. Miss her terribly.
@sockington My sister, @Angels58100 lost her cat named Kitty. She was the sweetest, most loving furbaby. She’s missed.
@sockington army member Julien fought the good fight until Oct 22 when a brain tumor took him at 8 years young. I miss my jubee.
@sockington Lost our beloved German kitty Maggie this week. She was 16.
@sockington From tiny kitten to 15 years old I shared life and times with a wise, feisty, adorable cat. Jonson was his name. Miaw my kitster
@sockington Hi Socks, the wonderful @Mulder_Cat of#muldersporch & #pawcircle fame passed away just a few wks ago, @Staffpurrson misses him
@sockington my baby milo passed away from a heart conidition couple weeks ago! He had extra toes he was special ps he’s a cat hahah
@sockington Swipper was a beloved buddy of ours who took his ride on the eternal milk truck. Honor our fallen hero please
@sockington We lost our cat Tasche just before Christmas.
@sockington we lost 2 furry friends in the last 3 months. They are greatly missed, but I know they’re watching over us, probably laughing…
@sockington for my daughter’s sweet Sammie…an angel with fluffy black fur sent by Charlie, to ease her g
@sockington @RaniOldCat went OTRB in 2010. He was very special.
@sockington we lost George our cat he was 21 & Millie she was 16! Thanks Sockington we love you!
@sockington I lost my cat, Piper. He was 16 and got cancer. http://twitpic.com/3tngw9
@sockington My awesome cat Murgatroyd to cancer see profile pic)
@sockington Can I have a megameow please? My boyfriend passed away on 30thDec & my kitty Stripey has been the best cuddle buddy ever since!
@sockington megameaws to the Millie giest she passed a little before Christmas, she knew it was her job to yowl the sun up and the sun down. Millie did a mean lady gaga impersonation of Bad romance . Yowl yowl youla roul a youla rowla scrowl, scrowl scrowl ra ra scrowl
@sockington We @Sturdycat @Cyclepaws and @Spursfan_rmj8lost our grandmother on Monday, it would be great to give her a Meowout, thank
@sockington My beautiful girl cat Zoe passed OTRB on 1/17 and we miss her terribly.
@sockington lost my nephew Sockington! We called him Bubba…. only 23
@sockington I lost Ollie in the past two weeks (http://www.kittyblog.net)
@sockington would love a megameow for Andy Katt – he was one cool kitty!
@sockington “Baby Girl” elderly Calico & “Boss” of stray community here bravely crossed Rainbow Bridge on 1 Dec 10 due to cardiac arres
@sockington I lost my cat Chub back in October 2010 due to a tumor. Me and my son miss him very much.
@sockington my friend lost her chinchilla Peek-a-boo last month
@sockington Can you please give a shout out to my dearest @Holliecatrocks who went to RB in November thank you.
@sockington Our precious 15 year old ‘SNOOP’ died 2 wks ago. Had her since she was 5 wks old!
@sockington Ernie Cat 12/13/10
@sockington my 18 year old ebony is having fits send her megameows to make her better! Vets tomorrow! I LOVE HER! I’m her fatty! :*
@sockington My sweet boy Smokey! 14 1/2 yrs rip 11-2-10 Such a sweet cat! I miss him so much! xoxo
@sockington Would love a mega-shout-out for my beautiful, quirky little tortie girl, Lyric. 1992-2010.
@sockington oh plz, could you shout out to my fur-niece and nephews. Danielle, Rocky and Timmy. they died in December. thanks 
@sockington Two Furry brethren passed on to the big litterbox in the sky “Spots” the man beast and “Mickey” the lady lovemuffin
@sockington my brofur Murray-the-Cat was a big cool dude who went OTRB when he was just shy of 16 we all miss him every day
@sockington @margosunshine and I lost are beloved cat Mama back in October. A megameow would be lovely, thanks. http://bit.ly/eP8tER
@sockington I lost my grama this fall. She always had and loved cats – even the cranky ones. Some of my earliest cat memories come from her.
@sockington we would love a megameow for our nanny
@sockington dear socks, my bff @HollieCatRocks made the journey OTRB 2 months ago today. Thank you so much!!
@sockington He was abandoned, skinny, & cancerous, but so appreciative of indoors, humans, & laps. I miss him badly. Thx for asking.
@sockington We lost our kitty Al yesterday after 18 great years.http://twitpic.com/3tn9dz
@sockington Lost my sweet Cadence in December. She was still just a wee one.
@sockington Lost my little pet hedgehog Tom Travolta a few months ago. He seemed to have escape during apartment moving day
@sockington We lost Whiskers – she was 19 and had a good 9 lives. Thanks for the megameows
@sockington RIP Felix
@sockington okay MEGAMEOW please out to KATHLEEN
@sockington lost my beautiful Sebastian. She was a LH Orange tab I rescued 15 yrs ago. Sweet sweet soul.
@sockington One of my humans recently lost a good friend of hers to breast cancer. A Megameow would mean a lot to her. 
@sockington I lost my lovely 12 yr. old Holly to kidney failure. It was devastating. Swore I’d never get another cat but Wiley is here now.
@sockington Kan-Pai & I lost our Moshi-Moshi. I think Kan-Pai is still heart broken. Kan-pai & Moshi-moshi on Twitpic http://t.co/Q7lFjP
@sockington We had a big maine coone cat on our farm that we haven’t seen for a couple weeks. Merlin was a beautiful kitty, too…
@sockington I’m afraid we had to send our 15year old cat to the litter tray in the sky today please mega meow for him in valhalla
@sockington I lost 2 of my kitties. Benjamin(8) and Spanky (17). I miss them dearly!!
@sockington In October we said goodbye to OSCAR, who ran our house for 15 years. Now NOBODY is running it and things are going to heck.
@sockington My little cat, Spike, crossed to RB June 7 2010 Would really appreciate a megameow – thx you *hugs*
@sockington lost my two cats Elvis and Harley going through some hard times right now and could really use their cuddles
@sockington Despite losing her over 4 years ago, it will always feel like it was just yesterday. i hope your humanfriends love U very much.
@sockington Penny & Tuppence lost their mummy…she went to the angels, but they had to find a new home. Miaows to Penny & Tuppence please
@sockington this morning my dad lost his best friend and he was like a second father to me. I feel like its impossible for us to smile atm
@sockington Lost my beautiful cat Serenity. She lived a wonderful 18 years. I would truly appreciate a meow out to her. Thanks, Socks!
@sockington My friend Chris passed away at the end of December. I’m sure he would love a megameow.
@sockington 2 cousins 59 and 61 years old died sickle anemia
@sockington i was at college n wen i returned home for my vacation, my cat was gone. I miss him very much :
@sockington Avalon Avalokiteshvara-kitty, most determinedly domesticated of cats, put to sleep w/ 1 claw hooked into my red trousers Jan 12.
@sockington my pooch would’ve had you easy but she ded now *sob*
@sockington I had to put my oldest cat Baby to sleep last July. He loved tuna, sitting on the couch w/ me, (cont) http://tl.gd/8d
@sockington Cassie died a few months back @suzviews cat
@sockington My friend @johnremy lost his dear cat friend Toby Joy just yesterday. She was, by all accounts, a true joy.
@sockington i lost my very best catfriend 4 years & 6 days ago. Her name was Callie and she enjoyed eating, sleeping, & being grumpy.
@sockington Lost beloved Triscuit, also known around our house as Miss Kitty a few months ago – she was 19.
@sockington hey socks, a long time member of your UK army left us just before Xmas, Alix aka Colonel Whiskers. He is dearly missed.
@sockington my monster cat Ari died, 17 yrs old and hissing til the last moment at the doctor. I miss him terriblyhttp://yfrog.com/hs9uyej
@sockington: a lot of people last year. At least 3 this year. People who were close to me and very dear to my heart. And always will be. <3
@sockington Lost my dear cat of 12 years “Fluffy” last summer. I put up a memorial stocking for her this past Christmas.
@sockington my precious Catherine got stolen from me. I’d appreciate even one megameow for her safe return home.
@sockington Lost my mom, then my aging, cat-loving white shepherd/yellow lab step-dog three days later. I hope they’re in the same heaven!
@sockington lost our 13 year old dog on January 2
@sockington thank you Sockington! Sadly, RIP George (of avatar here) and my friend @ kaorita lost Miko. #cancersucks for kitties too
@sockington I recently lost my cat pumpkin he was 25 lbs. and 18 years old!
@sockington we lost our Carrot January 2nd. still crushed.
@sockington i love my shadow! RiP shadow
@sockington. We lost our beloved cat of 5 years “Wok” last week. RIP little kitty. We miss you.
@sockington I lost my cat Boots to feline leukemia around Halloween.
@sockington i also said bye to my cats kittens. they got new homes now
@sockington My great-grandmother passed away in June; she was such a funny, bright, sweet lady, and she is very missed
@sockington Lost my daddy in November. But his friends donated over $1100 in his memory to the local animal shelter. He loved animals. =)
@sockington my beautiful cat Badger. Who knew when she was a kitten, that she would actually grow to the size of a badger. Miss her.
@sockington We lost Pip, AKA Fatboy. Gone but never forgotten.
@sockington lost my kitty in August, she’s gone to munch from the kibble bowl in the sky. RIP Rat.
@sockington We lost Taylor (black lab) in December. She was a dog but always gave cats 1st crack at fresh tuna.
@sockington our cat Mocha died suddenly/unexpected in his sleep in Nov. only with us a yr – he was 2yo.
@sockington We lost little Miss Biscuits a few days before Christmas, we miss her x
Some time ago, Socks pushed the idea of “A Chance for Bliss”, a very special pet sanctuary that focuses on special needs animals and pets, including seniors. Their pledge is to take care of the animals forever, as long as needed, short or long. This is dear to my heart, because while I’d never say I was getting on in years, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that I wouldn’t want some nice patch of grass back on a farm somewhere, to re-live the good old days (without the rain, though, thanks).
A new letter has come in, asking for votes for a contest, which, if they win, will give this place a nice financial boost.
Here’s the letter sent in by Woody:
Great to connect with you again.
We are in the running for a $50,000 grant from Pepsi and their “Refresh A Project”. In a nut shell, each month Pepsi invites organizations and individuals alike to submit project ideas. Pepsi then picks the ones they feel best represent their program ideals, and then its game on! At the end of that month the top ten vote getter’s in each category get the grant dollars ($5K, $25K, $50K, and $250K). We chose the $50K category since for us this would be a game changer in that it would cover feed and basic care for an entire year for all of the the 80 animals we now care for (population now consists of 23 horses, 20 dogs, 7 pot belly pigs, 6 goats, 5 sheep, 2 steers, 5 geese, 4 chickens, 4 rabbits, 3 cats, and our newest resident, Noble, a 7 year old cockatiel.). You may recall that criteria for residency at the sanctuary is simple; an animal is deemed a senior, has some some sort of special needs, or has been diagnosed with a life ending condition. As such, once here, each resident remains until they pass away, regardless if that is a short or long period of time.
The link for the program is below. Voting is limited to one vote, person, per day, and only goes for the month of April. We are therefore concentrating our requests for supporters to simply vote each and every day of April.
http://www.refresheverything.com/achanceforbliss
Thank you again so much for all your support. You are awesome!
Since Socks “made it big”, with “made it big” being a set of completely arbitrary opinions, people have asked how and when he’s going to get rich. Setting aside that for a cat, “making it big” means steady meals and an only tacit awareness of rain, the fact remains that there’s some expectation out there that there would be some amount of products, endorsements and celebrity appearances by Socks. That’s all fine and good, but we’re talking about a cat that barely remembers when he walked into the room, and mostly follows me towards the food dishes as his reminder it’s dinner. Obviously, he would need help in any such endeavor, and so it falls to me.
But I’m not right off the turnip truck, ladies and gentlemen. Even I know the advantages of asking ahead of time what any potential audience would want to see.
The Sockington T-Shirts have done pretty well (feel free to pick one up anytime) and it’s been nice to see people wearing them around (obviously a Pennycat t-shirt should be next).
But what will you think of the idea of a Sockington book? A little coffee table number perfect for sitting on or nuzzling off the coffee table with your nose, or maybe (if you’re a person) to read?
I’ve spent a little time on a possible mockup of a cover:
So here’s the deal, wonderful audience: what are your thoughts on this? After all, I have to see the grey fellow every single day of my life, along with his new sidekick. It’s not like we’re talking about anything new to me. But there’s been some clamor and call for a book of photographs, essays, and various bits of wisdom related to myself and Socks (and cousin Oliver), and so let’s see what you really think.
Enclosed, below, is a survey with five basic questions about what you’d be looking for. It will help immeasurably in getting an idea of an interest in such a project, and help gear the final “product”, if the project moves forward. This will help immeasurably, and I thank you ahead of time for your effort in helping.
UPDATE: With 850 responses in less than a day, I have plenty to chew over. I’ll give a report shortly. Thanks, everyone, you know how to step up and help.
