It was two years ago today that my Brother Ivan left me for the Rainbow Bridge. I know I have some new readers that may not even realize that I had a brother, but indeed I need, the best brother a kitty could have. Ivan was very sad and lonely because his brother Moses had left for the Bridge. That is how I ended up being adopted, as a pal for Brother Ivan. And pals we were too. There was no typical “introduction time” at all, Dad let Brother Ivan sniff me when I arrived and we were instant friends. I came right out of the carrier and it seemed like I was supposed to be here.
Brother Ivan was a Maine Coon and as near as we can tell he was dumped by a breeder due to a hip problem. To them he wasn’t purrfect, but to me he was. He was dumped during an ice storm in downtown Charlotte, NC. As fate would have it he was rescued by a couple who lived in our neighborhood. Unfortunately, due to an allergy problem he was confined to a small bedroom in their house. When the family decided that it wasn’t fair to him they decided to find him somewhere else to live. They ended up talking to my Mom who had a friend that took all kind of critters. So Mom went to pick him up and brought him by so Dad could see him. Dad told Mom he wasn’t going anywhere except inside with us. That’s how Brother Ivan ended up here.
Brother Ivan taught me so many things, and the most important were love and acceptance. Brother Ivan accepted me immediately and I have accepted every new family member without so much as a hiss or a swat, just has he taught me. He also taught me how important it is to help others. That’s why I work so hard to help the other less fortunate critters. I do hope my Brother Ivan would be proud of the work I’ve done and I feel him watching over me constantly.
Brother Ivan left unexpectedly for the Bridge in the middle of the night. I miss him so very much and not a day goes by that I don’t think of him and the love he shared with me. I love you Brother Ivan and I always will. I know I will see you again some day, but until then I know you will continue to watch over all of us.
Remember, adopt cats, we deserve it!!! Purrrrr! Zip! Later!
Wonderful tribute to Brother Ivan… He did teach you a valuable lesson about acceptance. So many of us have to ease into new relationships with new brothers and sisters. It's great that you learned that early on.
Have a great day… Max
Brian eu sabia que você tambem é um gato especial,por isso gosto muito de ti
Soubreo nosso amigo em comum (Gotchi)ontem no hospital fizeram-lhe radiografias e ecografias e não conseguiram ver nada de anormal ,mas ficou enternado com soro porque está muito fraquinho,hoge de manhã vão lhe fazer mais exames a ver se conseguem descobrir o que se passa com ele…
Fica descansado que eu logo que saiba mais coisas te digo
Atua amiguinha
Kika(eu gosto muito dele não quero que ele se vá….)
That sure is a wonderful tribute to Brother Ivan. He sure was a very handsome boy. That is so sad that he only had a short stay.
Take care and have a great Turkey week.
Awwww lovely and adorable Brian!! Thank you for sharing a little bit of your wonderful Brother Ivan here! Me and Charlie are so happy to meet him and to know of him. He was a wonderful brother and a most loving mentor! We are so happy that he came to your wonderful family after such a bad start in life. He will always be remembered!
We are also saying a big hello to sweet Zoe, Dolly, Sascha and Gracie! Take care
x
What a touching tribute to a wonderful Big Brother. (sniff sniff sniff)
We did not know about Ivan but we're glad to read about him now. He sure was handsome and he sounded like a wonderful brother to you! We are sending you some purrs on his bridge anniversary.
Oh Brian, what a wonderful tribute to Ivan. We can tell how special he was to you. We send you purrs…
I didn't know about Ivan, either, but he sounds like a wonderful role model for all of us kitties to follow. What a wonderful tribute!
God bless you all.
What a wonderful tribute to Ivan!
Warm thoughts and hugs for you today!
xo Catherine & Banjo
What a beautiful remembrance of Ivan, Brian. We didn't know you had a brother. He sounded like an awesome kitty. Your easy going-ness is just so wunnerful, Brian. Have a great week-
Pip, Smidgen, Minnie
Thanks for sharing Brother Ivan with us. He sounds like he was a wonderful brother and an amazing cat. So glad, he was rescued from the ice storm (what kind of person would do that).
Your pal, Pip
Brother Ivan was a beautiful boy. We wish we had the opportunity to have known him. *Purrs*
Brian thank you so much for sharing the story of your brother Ivan.
I am so sorry that he left you so soon. He was a handsome cat just as you are.
He would be so proud that you learned the lessons he taught you so well, he would be proud of the wonderful mancat that you are and of your heart of gold and caring ways.
You are a living tribute to your handsome brother Ivan…hugs to you!
Love, Caren and Cody
A beautiful story and a beautiful boy. Everytime I come here, I am reminded about about my big boy who has also left for the bridge. They say everyone has a twin, well our Batman was your twin Brian. Every photo I see of you reminds of that fact. I don't know if you checked this out yet, but here's a link…
https://patricktillett.blogspot.com/2010/02/rest-in-peace-batty-boy.html
You still miss your brother Ivan – we can tell by how you speak about him. He was very young to go to the Bridge so he must have been needed there for something very special.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
Oh, Brian, that was beautiful. We didn't know you had a brother and are so sorry he passed so young. Lots of purrs for comfort to you all today, and kitty kisses too.
What a beautiful tribute to Ivan. He looked and sounded like a wonderful cat, brother and friend. I'm sure Ivan would be incredibly proud of all the work you do to help other less fortunate kitties. You are keeping his memory and legacy alive!
What a wonderful tribute to your brother, Ivan. We didn't know him, but we know we would have loved him too.
xxxxxxxx
That is such a beautiful tribute to your brother Ivan! He was a real beauty and we are so sorry that he is gone. Brian, he sure taught you well and we know he would be proud of you. Lots of love, Holly and mom
Thanks for telling us about brother Ivan. Sounds like he was very wise.
Brian, I am crying. What a beautiful tribute. You are such a lucky man to have had such a wonderful older brother. Ivan sounds like an amazing man. In turn, he was lucky to have been able to touch and change a little boy’s life, like he did yours. I am sure he looks down at you each and every day with pride in his eyes. He must be so proud of you that you work so hard that no other cat has to be alone…..
Brian,
That was such a touching tribute to your brofur. And he helped you become a very wise kitty. for this we here in the blogosphere are all grateful.
You are truly a friend in deed.
Purrs,
Genghis
What a lovely tribute to a beautiful kitty!
Much love from uSSSSS
Hi! We just wanted to leave you a message. We are somewhat new to blogging and just dropped by to say hi!!!
Beautiful tribute!
Come and visit us soon!
What a regal looking kitty and he brought so much to this world!
You were very fortunate to have a wonderful brother like Ivan. I know how you must miss him and I'm sure he's waiting for you over the Rainbow Bridge.
Hi Brian, yes I am a fairly new blogger and didn't know you had such a fantastic brother. It is very sad when they go to the bridge so young, but he left a wonderful legacy in you 🙂 He would be very proud indeed of all your hard work!!!
What a beautiful, touching memorial for Ivan. I didn't know you had a brother. He looks like he has a natural fur coat on! Ivan should be proud of you like all your furrends are. xoxo
Hey, Brian, I'm so happy to discover Ivan taught you so much. I am sorry you lost him. I am sure you are also very enriched by your fellow kitties there – wishing you great health and happiness. I know Ivan is with you all the time now in Spirit.
For all the folks reading this, (‘beans and kitties too) my blog has posts which are helpful for cat caretakers everywhere.
All you be sure to stay well!
Debby
https://homelesscatcare.blogspot.com/
I didn't know you had a brudder. Thanks for telling me his story. My mamma lost her kitteh a few years ago too and misses her all the time. Let's keep their memory's alive!
Brian, bless your mom and your dad and you too of course, for all that you do for other kitty's in need.
Brofur Ivan was so handsome and he looked so relaxed and happy. Bless you all as a family for taking him in to be your very own. He was loved and cared fr and he knew it.
Beautiful loving tribute.
It sounds like Brother Ivan was a wonderful mancat! We are sorry he had to go so soon, but we are glad he was with such a good family while he was here.
We are still purring for Moosie.
Oh Brian, that was such a beautiful tribute to your Brother Ivan..he sounds like the perfect older brother! I'm so glad that you had such a wonderful brother and I'm sure that you and your Mom and Dad miss him terribly, but I know he's up there by the Rainbow Bridge, looking at you with pride and happiness!
Bless your parents hearts for giving you and Brother Ivan and the rest of the gang such a wonderful happy home!
We didn't know about your Brother Ivan, thank you SO MUCH for a wonderful post about him. Now we know why you are such a Great Cat, Brian.
We'll send a purrayer up to the Bridge for Ivan today to keep you under his Angel wings for many more years.
So sorry to hear about your brother, he sounds like he was a wonderful cat like yourself.
Rest in peace little Ivan
Lots of love
Xixo and Pepi
Your brother sounds a lot like our brother Abner who went to the bridge many years ago. It sounds like he was a true diplomat of love.
Dear Brian, you are a great friend I am so glad that you shared Ivan with us. He sounds like he was a sweetest guy (kinda like me) and I am very happy that you got to have him for your brother.
Mom would say he was a love tiger.
bonks Brian to you and your sisfurs this very special Monday!
Brother Ivan was a good looking dude and it sounds like he was very smart too 🙂
Brian, I am really sorry for your loss. I still miss my brother Whiskers (He sounds a lot like your Ivan), don't get me wrong I love the girls, but Whiskers will always have a place in my heart that nobody else can fill. I am sure Ivan is very proud of all the work you do to help cats get adopted. I know Scylla is. ~Socks
What a handsome mancat your Brother Ivan was! He taught you well, Brian.
Ivan looks like he was very handsome. I can tell you loved him very much.
Nubbin wiggles,
Oskar
Sorry that I didn't get to know Ivan, but he sounded like one great brother.
That is a lovely tribute to Brother Ivan. He would be very proud of you.
Brian
What a lovely lovely remembrance to Brother Ivan. What a wonderful brother he was to you and we are so glad that your Mom and Dad took him in and gave him all the love and comfort he needed.
purrin
xoxo
Abby
What a special tribute!
And best Thanksgiving Day wishes from one of your loyal friends!
Ann
We did not know you had a brother. We do know how much you miss him. My brother Wizard left us two years ago this Thursday! We welcomed me in with out a fuss. In fact I hissed and growled the first time I met him. Mac was lucky enough to meet him but they did not get along so well. Kirby never got to meet him. I miss him loads. Angel
Mom here. You did a beautiful tribute to your brother!
That breeder should be shot. Ivan looks a real sweetie.
Brian – i'm sorry dat u miss ur brofur, but know dat he iz safe and happy at da RB. xoxo BJC
We are SO GLAD you met Brother Ivan. If we unnerstand right, you would not be the cat you are today without his teaching an example.
Oh my goodness, Mr. Brian, we did not know you had a brother! Ivan sounds like a fine cat, and we think he would indeed be very proud of you and how you have accepted your sisters so gracefully. He looks very regal in that photo – like a fine tabby with a plush fur stole wrapped around him!
Your friends, Fuzzy and Zoe
You were so fortunate to have Brother Ivan to teach you so many things. You must miss him very much! Purrs and tail wags.
So sweet what you wrote about Ivan. I know you must miss him.
Your Brother Ivan sounds like he was very special. It's good to remember those absent friends.
Your Bro was quite a fabulously good-lookin' boy! It is nice to read how much fun you had together. I'm sorry he had to go away so suddenly. Even if it makes us a little sad, it's always good to remember the Kitties Who Came Before.
A lovely tribute to Ivan. EJ loves Maine Coons and have cuddled many.
We never knew you had a brother–he sounds like he was wonderful! Thank you for telling us about him!
What a lovely tribute to Brother Ivan! I am so glad that he taught you so well.
That was a lovely post about your brother Ivan. This a sad time of year, isn't it. Thursday is one year since my sisfur Sheena left us. I was a tiny baby and don't remember her at all. You were very lucky to have a big brother to teach you things.
You brother Ivan was very special. That must have been so difficult to lose him unexpectedly in the middle of the night. Thanks for sharing his story with us.
Purrs,
Cory
Oh no. We just saw this now (we missed a few days of visiting…), and are so sorry to hear about Brother Ivan. Your tribute to him was so beautiful, and we are sad that he had to go to the Bridge. He sounds like he was an amazing mancat. (((Purrs, hugs and head bonks)))
Oh, Brian, no… I didn't know you had a big bro. Days of remembrance are so bittersweet. But it makes me warm and fuzzy to know you remember and honor the mancat who welcomed you and helped make you the king you are today!