Obituary of Forrest Nunemaker

Forrest

On Saturday, July 18, 2020, our sweet baby passed away at home. He was accompanied by his human mom and dad when he took his last breath and closed his eyes for the last time.

Forrest was born a feral cat on our neighbors’ property in April of 2007. He was only one of two black tiger striped kittens, and three gray kittens. While two of the gray kittens and the other black tiger striped kittens were all adopted, Forrest and his brother, Smokey, were the last two remaining. After quite a bit of begging and pleading with my parents, we took them in. Being feral cats, and owning a dog, we weren’t sure how they’d react as housecats, so they spent time both inside and outside. 

Our family dog, Murry, was particularly fond of Forrest, and they would play and chase each other around outside, and in the house. They did seemingly everything together. Murry taught Forrest how to beg at the dinner table for scraps, which was quite the sight to see! While he grew up with Murry, he adopted more dog-like qualities as time went on. After Murry’s passing in September of 2014, Forrest was devastated. He went from room to room for the following week, meowing in every room looking for her. A piece of Forrest’s heart went with Murry that week. 

There will never be another cat quite like Forrest. He had quite the personality, and everything he did was unique to him. Whether it was laying in the hammock with all of his little leggies and face poking out though the holes, napping in the pool skimmer on top of the hot tub, or chasing deer though the woods behind the house. He loved playing in snow, whether it was running and sliding around on the deck or just digging. It didn’t matter to him – snow was fun! 

However, he had a soft side to him as well. He loved making biscuits on both his human mom and dad’s stomach, which in turn left pulls in all of their clothes. He would climb all of our legs when sitting at the dinner table, as a way to say, “I’m here, whatcha have?” He knew the sound of the cheese wrapper and the sounds of the refrigerator drawer opening, and he came running from wherever he was napping to make sure he got a little something too. 

Within the past two years Forrest gained a new best friend, his human niece, Ava. He was a little standoffish at first, because he never grew up around kids. I was 8 when we took him and his brother in, but once he was comfortable around her, they quickly became best friends. Ava would read her books to him, sing her ABC’s with him, and surround him with her toys and Little People when he was trying to take a nap. 

Forrest, baby, you will be forever missed. We know you are in kitty cat heaven playing with Murry, rolling in catnip, and chasing all the mice and birds your heart desires. We all love you so much, and we will see you soon. 

Love,

Mommy, Daddy & Allison