Stevie, in 2012, illustrating how Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) can come in different forms.
She was a stray, not-quite-feral cat who turned up in our barn five years ago and quickly moved in.
The second time my blog received national recognition, there was Stevie again. This time, in 2013, showing how cheaters have manipulated All-Star Game balloting.
I had not only a friend, but an excellent Baseball Bloggess co-pilot.
She came along as I read War & Peace a few off-seasons ago …
She wrongly picked the Atlanta Braves to win the 2015 World Series …
She complained about the very few cats featured in the annual Baltimore Orioles “Pet” calendar … 
And, sometimes she was plunked into a post for no reason, other than she was just so damn cute …
She was one of the sweetest, friendliest, purringest cats I’ve ever known. (And, I’ve known a lot of cats.)
She was my BFF.
She got along with the other cats in the house. She was a “no drama” kitty.
She didn’t mind people and wasn’t one of those run-and-hide-in-the-box-springs cats when strangers walked in.
She got sick a couple days ago, although it was hard to tell because she kept purring and carrying on with her regular routine. She slept every night right next to my head. Just like always. She purred.
But, her favorite thing in the world was a meal (she was pretty starved when she turned up at our house those years ago, so it was no wonder that she delighted in a bowl of food more than anything else). And, when she stopped eating we knew that something was wrong.
It was. And, yesterday we had to say goodbye.
Someone once commented on one of my posts that I should change the name of my blog from The Baseball Bloggess to something more general, so I could write about other things.
They didn’t understand. The Baseball Bloggess can write about whatever she wants.
And, today she wants to write about Stevie.
BFF.
The Baseball Bloggess 
Thank you for sharing Stevie with us. She found a forever home and had the best life. RIP Stevie, you will be missed.
❤
Thanks Sharon … there’s a big ol’ Stevie hole in my heart right now.
This was a wonderful tribute to Stevie and your grief is palpable to me. I am so very sorry for you loss and I know how much you and Randy loved all of your kitties. She had a wonderful life because of you. She will always be in your hearts and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if another kitty in need of a loving home shows up at your door step…they always seem to know where the good people live.
Thanks, Sandi. When the 3 feral kittens that were born out in our corral moved in over the winter, I hoped they would take Stevie into their “tribe”. And, they did. She was such a friendly cat … got along with everyone. I’m going to miss her.
Oh, jeez. So very sorry to hear this. It sounds like Stevie was a class act from whiskers to tail. Even those of us who never met her are going to miss her.
Hang in there–and don’t be surprised if you feel an invisible cat jumping onto the bed just as you’re falling asleep. It’ll be Stevie, dropping by to check up on you.
Thanks, Casey. Sigh. Sigh. Sigh. She was pretty special.
Thanks for your kind words … and for all the things you do for Rufus and for all the cats in your world. I still share your Rufus story and post https://koiscribblings.com/2016/09/09/gt-news/ with people who don’t know how to create a “cat-io” or where to start. You and Maggie really are my heroes for that.
I am sorry to hear this. The internet was made for cute cat photos of Stevie. The rest of the internet just came along as filler.
Thanks Bruce. I know Stevie would be very pleased to think the Internet was invented just for her. I am so glad that I can still see all her photos on my blog whenever my heart pangs.
What a sweetheart! Both of you. Hugs and condolences, Bloggess.
I’m still feeling pretty low and sad, but your kind words have warmed my heart. Thank you.
Oh no … sending you my sincerest condolences. To have a best friend like Stevie is one of the brightest points in life and I’m glad you were brought together. I hope the sweet memories take some of the pain from today.
thank you … My mom really loved her animals too and she once told me to never have a pet, because they would just break your heart when they died. Of course, she also told me that I should always have a pet because they were the best friend that you could always count on. Mom gave good advice, but I wouldn’t say it was always consistent in her wisdom. In any event, my heart has a big Stevie-sized hole in it right now. But, your kind words remind me how lucky we were to have five good years together.
I’m so sorry Jackie. Those darn little balls of fur just find a way into our hearts. Hugs to you.
Thank you Jan.
So sorry to hear this. We have cats of our own and it’s awful to see them go. I’ve always figured this idea that “animals have no souls” is a bunch of nonsense. In point of fact they frequently have more than people.
I’ve always pictured God sitting on his throne and having a cat in his lap. Maybe yours is the latest.
RIP, Stevie, and condolences Bloggess.
v
Thank you, v. Stevie was a darn good cat. She always came when she was called. And, just to be safe, she also always came when we were calling a different cat. (I guess she didn’t want to miss out, just in case there were treats involved.)
:'( Casey told me this morning — so sorry to hear it! Losing a fuzz-buddy is always hard — especially one as charming as Stevie!
Thank you! And, thank you for all that you and Casey do for the cats in your world. You both are heroes to me for all you did to help Rufus, to make him comfortable, and to give him a good home.
Losing one’s purr-fect friend is so hard. We never forget them. Hugs to you and Randy.
Thanks, Gloria. I have a Stevie-sized hole in my heart. Her code name was Princess Cupcake. She was a sweetie.
Thinking of you and Randy. Continue to write about whatever you want, Bloggess!
Thank you, Jennifer!
I’m so sorry to hear about Stevie…sounds like she was a beautiful companion. I know you will miss her.
She really was a special cat … thank you so much for your kind words.
She sounds like a cat I even might’ve liked! 😊
It’s so hard to lose your BFF. I lost mine a few years ago, and still feel that piece of my heart is missing. I find peace in the memories and love she left behind for me. I hope that one day you will find this too. It’s hard and takes a long time. Go at your own speed. Sending hugs.
Thank you, Lila. Someone wrote a note to me yesterday that said, “When they come to you, they need you. But, then, you need them.” I thought that really does sum it up. My heart is sad. But, you are right … we keep the warm memories and the love they gave us. And, we are blessed to have the time we did.
What a wonderful cat! My deepest and sincerest condolences :(. I cannot imagine — don’t even want to think about — the possibility of one day losing my own.
Thank you, Precious. Stevie was the sweetest cat I’ve ever known. I once said that from here on out, I’m only going to have a tortoise or parrot … someone who has a long lifespan far beyond our’s.
Jackie,
I am so very sorry about Stevie. Please share my condolences with Randy. As you know, I lost my husband in June but I also lost my 15 year old dog/buddy/walking companion 2 months before that. I know what a huge hole you have in your hearts, but hopefully having other furry friends helps to soften the blow. I’d have liked to meet to Stevie. She was a beauty and looked really special.
Thank you, Nancy. You have been in our hearts. Yes, I have a Stevie-sized hole in my heart. Our animals become such loyal and loving friends, don’t they? We still have one cat who is about 20+, and then 3 young ones who came when a feral cat had a litter in our corral a year ago. Stevie was the alpha cat and peacemaker in the house … I’m afraid we’re in for some wild kitten chaos from the three little ones now that she’s gone. But, hopefully Stevie taught them a few things before she left.
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Written like a true friend,Jackie❤
Thank you, Martha. Yup, we really were BFFs.
Aww, I am sorry you had to say goodbye to such a special friend. Stevie sounds like a pretty cool customer–each of you was lucky to have found the other. I am sorry for your loss, I really am.
Thank you Wendy … my heart is still sad. She was a good pal.