Bleu Neal

Brandee wrote the below beautiful article introducing the latest addition to the Neal family household, Bleu Neal.

Hello world! My name is Bleu. I am a 5 week old Striped Tabby. As of this morning, I weigh 1 pound and 4 oz. Mom is making sure I am gaining normally and my stitches are healing properly from my spay surgery. Daddy is spoiling me, and making sure I get plenty of exercise on him and a 7′ kitteh activiteh tree. Oh! And the toys I have. It’s posh!

Two children found my sister, Georgina, and me last week. We were taken to the Silicon Valley Humane Society where they provided us excellent medical care. The next day, this man came in and played with me through the glass. I was lonely because someone adopted my sister earlier that morning.

A man came to see me. He left and came back with a lady. This lady told the man he should visit with me. Turns out she is my new Mom, and he is my new Dad. Mom says she was adopting my sister, Gracie, when she looked up and saw Dad pass by the window with a box in his hand. In case you were wondering, it was me who was in the box. Mom said she cracked up because she knew I was their baby when she saw the look on Daddy’s face as he was playing with me though the glass. He adopted me in less than 10 minutes!

My favorite activity is playing Race Track Daddy. I do the Kentucky Derby up his body, and take the Daytona 500 back down. What a rush! I also do some amazing acrobatics just to add interest. Mom says I am a true Silicon Valley kid because I love Dad’s computer. I’ve caught a mouse like 526 times! It has a fun cord to swing from and everything. And Mom gave me a fire tablet so I can chase ladybugs and butterflies. I… love… that… thing!!

Alright. I’m bored. Gotta go!

Jackson’s grief for his Sissy

May 6th, 2017

Friends and Family,

Brandee and I know that our beautiful canine son, Jackson, is in mourning over the loss of his wonderful feline sister, Bella, a few days ago. Bella and Jack were such a perfect match. They loved each other so much.

Since Bella left and went to Pet Heaven at Rainbow Bridge on 4/27/2017, living in the Neal House has been painful (to be very honest) because we are all missing Bella so much. Brandee, Jack and I loved (and still love; and will forever love our perfect baby), Bella with all our hearts and it really hurts not to have her with us now.

While I can feel my personal pain, and Brandee can express her feelings in words I understand, unfortunately Jack cannot express his feelings in words. All we can try to do is take note of his body language and attitude. Both of which are pitiful recently. He certainly is mourning and missing his sister; without a doubt.

 

JACK’S IN CHARGE

While we know that Jack has always been treated well in the Neal household, Brandee and I have made a commitment to dedicate extra special attention to Jack. We are showering him with compliments and more generous heaps of special loving. He deserves it because he’s always been such a good boy and we know that these past few days have been especially difficult for him without his Sissy around the house.

In fact, this afternoon I took Mr. Jackson Neal on a Saturday afternoon car ride just for the heck of it. I made some excuse to Brandee that I was going to pick up take-out sandwiches for dinner at a local shop but, the truth of the matter is that, I just wanted to spend some time with my most best son ever, Jackson VonHeffington (which is our affectionate name for him). He was so excited to get in the car for the ride. I rolled down all the windows, opened the sun roof, cranked the music and then we headed out on our journey. He stuck his snout out of the right window first, then the left window next and then alternating left-and-right windows for the rest of the trip. It was so much fun Daddy and Son time! I think he really enjoyed himself.

So, it’s Jack’s World and he’s in charge know matter what. We will spoil him rotten and this is just how it’s going to be.

 

JACK’S FELINE LOVE

Mr. Jackson VonHeffinington Neal has always been the epitome of a perfect son to Brandee and I.  We could not ever imagine having such a perfectly handsome dude and we are so grateful for him. An exceptionally wonderful character-trait of Jack is his instinctive care for cats. It’s a strange behavior for a large dog, typically, and maybe I think that living his whole life with Bella gave him perspective that the feline species wasn’t all that bad. In fact, Brandee and I know for a fact that Jack and Bella were the best of friends. They were, and will be, the best brother and sister combination, eventually, at Rainbow Bridge forever!

Jack and Bella shared so many wonderful memories together that are absolutely beautiful. He misses his sister immensely but I’m sure that he has some comfort knowing that her broken body is now pain-free and she is frolicking and playing among great family and friends waiting for him at Rainbow Bridge.

When each of our time comes (and it’s God’s will), one thing that I will seriously look forward to is having Jack and Bella reunited as Bubby and Sissy – like it should be forever and eternity.

 

Love,

Kevin

Jack and Bella sleeping together, April 2017

14 years of Bella Summers

May 4th, 2017

Dear my sweetest forever daughter, little-itty-baby Bella,

It’s not even been a week since you became pain-free and went to Pet Heaven at Rainbow Bridge, however, it feels like you’ve been away for infinity. Brandee, Jack and I miss you to pieces, selfishly, yet we are at-ease knowing that you are in such a wonderful place among so many long-lost family and friends.

I have some updates that I wanted to share with you.

 

BELLAS BIRDS

First of all, that crazy bird that comes back every year at this time has returned.  You know, the one that chirps incessantly starting at something like 3am every morning? Yep, it’s THAT one!  As you know I think the reality of the situation is that this is likely either a mating call or that this is a mommy that has just laid some eggs. Because for some miracle after a few months we not only hear this one mommy-chirp, yet rather a whole choirs of little baby-chirps indicating a nest full of tiny birdies.

You see my best orange-fluff ball, I consider these morning times listening to that bird chirp like crazy, and the resulting babies, as “Bella’s Birds” because that is an absolutely beautiful memory of your wonderful spirit. You know; like the morning times when we would always go to the backyard together and pray to the sky of peace and happiness for everyone for every morning.

 

JACKS MESSAGE

Honey baby furr-ball-essence, as much as I would like to report that your brother is handling your trip to Rainbow Bridge well, I simply cannot in good conscience. While he is certainly at ease to know that you are pain-free and in such a beautiful place among so many friends and family, the fact of the matter is that he badly misses your physical presence; as do Mommy and Daddy.

Brandee and I are trying to make an extra effort to give bubby more attention but he just seems kinda lethargic overall. I think this is a feeling that not only Jackson, but also Brandee and I are going through this past week where we are simply ‘going thru the motions’. You have been such a positive influence, and central theme, of our family for nearly the past 15 years that Neal Casa is simply empty of energy right now, to be very honest.

Jack wants to send you a message (and please forgive any loss in translation as I’m not fluent in dog-to-English translation).

Hey Sissy!!! Miss you a ton!!! *bark, bark*. Summer time is coming and at least this year you get to avoid your annual shave from the parental units. *bark, bark*

I’m really sad right now without you simply because you are such a great sister and I miss seeing you each day. The house is lonely. The most important thing is your comfort though. Enjoy your time at Rainbow Bridge until we meet again. Daddy will deliver this letter to you in Pet Heaven so that you can get updates on the crazy chirping-birds and other crazy activities here.

Love ya bunches,

Bubby *bark*

 

BELLA SUMMER SHAVE

Ohhhhh furry-mop of BellaRinga! I peeked-in on bub’s message to you and saw the part about you getting to avoid your annual summer shave. Hopefully you realize that Mommy and Daddy only did this for your personal comfort. Although I have to admit that you always did look so beautifully perfect regardless after your summer-shave after your Summer Shave is did take nearly 5 pounds off of your appearance. Most people would do nearly anything to look as you did, girlfriend!

 

Overall, and speaking very personally, the absence of your physical presence is most painful for us in the house right now. This is YOUR house and it simply does not feel right without you here. We will be fine in the long run I’m sure and we will move forward, but it will be done in your honor and spirit. Just like the mystery of Misty has a legacy in her own right; you certainly have established an everlasting legacy of Baby-Furr. It’s the most perfect of legacies and I promise to uphold and share your story forever.

 

Love your perfect purr’s forever,

Daddy

Bella enters pet heaven at Rainbow Bridge

Bella, our lovely feline daughter of nearly 15 years, went to heaven at Rainbow Bridge on April 27th, 2017.

April 30th, 2017

I’m terribly hurt right now. Not by anyone or anything, but rather just circumstances beyond my control. It’s God’s Will and it shall be.

Bella, our lovely feline daughter of nearly 15 years, went to heaven at Rainbow Bridge on April 27th, 2017.

After a long illness, this was not a surprise but this does not make the hurt any less. We do, however, have great comfort knowing that she is no longer in any pain and she is continuing to share her awesomely perfect spirit in pet heaven at Rainbow Bridge.

Bella had a tough life in the beginning as a kitten being a ferial cat, a runt and malnourished before we were blessed with her presence. So, we were truly blessed with her presence as long as we had her in the physical world, although this certainly wasn’t long enough. I will be writing much more about Bella’s beautiful legacy in future blog posts.

Right now, I feel so horribly helpless to do anything. There is nothing to do other than to double-down on my love of family and friends. Therefore, I have made a commitment to even more cherish each moment with my wife and Bella’s younger canine brother, Jackson. Also, I want to share and document Bella’s legacy in writing, photos and videos so that hundreds of years in the future that people can still realize how special she truly was.

I mentioned Rainbow Bridge a few times above. If you are not familiar with The Rainbow Bridge then I encourage you to research this comforting poem and heartwarming story of pet heaven where animals have perfect health, play in vast beautiful fields and wait to cross ‘the bridge’ with their loved ones. Knowing that Bella is pain-free among dearly beloved passed loved one’s including my such as my terrific Dad and Brandee’s wonderful Mother is truly comforting.

Bella, we love you SO much and miss you dearly.

Until we meet again.

Love,

Daddy

Kevin Neal Life Update 2/26/2017

I have to be honest that although the past holiday season was great with Brandee and my children, there was certainly a void in the enjoyment because I couldn’t speak with Dad. Nevertheless, Dad provides motivation to me on nearly an hourly basis.

It’s given me a whole new perspective when people use terms such as “absence makes the heart grow fond” or “you never know what you are missing until it’s gone” because the truth in each statement is so true.

Why? Because every time I hear such a phrase uttered any more I immediately reflect on my wonderful father, Floyd Neal, and his beautiful attitude towards life and family. Dad is such a great man and left an incredible legacy such that the rest of my life, and the sincere passion for which I do things, are a direct result of my promise to him.

 

Determined Spirit

I have to be honest that although the past holiday season was great with Brandee and my children, there was certainly a void in the enjoyment because I couldn’t speak with Dad. Nevertheless, Dad provides motivation to me on nearly an hourly basis.  Almost every major decision I make these days has a prerequisite of ‘what would Dad do?’. His common sense is such a terrific blessing that I cannot express enough canadianviagras.com.

I miss talking to him about sports, politics or life in general. He was such a compassionate person with absolute great morality.  I have not been able to talk to him about the Cubs winning the World Series for the first time in 108 years, the surprising election results or the current flood waters in California and it pains me greatly.  But it makes me determined more than ever to make my wonderful Dad so proud of me, my accomplishments and determined spirit to build a great business just like he did.

 

 

Get Onboard or Get Left Behind – The Train is Leaving the Station

From a business perspective things are going very well with everything ahead of schedule and below budget. You would think this is great, however my personal involvement requires too much of my time so I have to find a way to delegate and we are working through these challenges now. It’s typical growing pains and to be expected.

This said, I’m a team-player and a very transparent person (as evidence of this life event blog website) so I won’t accept anyone trying to derail my business purpose! Anyone that knows me understands that I am very willing to share whatever knowledge, materials and friendships I can. I am absolutely a pay-it-forward sort of attitude.

In the next month or so you will see some significant announcements of products and services that we have been working on. It’s a very exciting time for me personally to launch the realization of my dream and I encourage anyone interested to contribute. Others that want to suck blood can go pound sand.

 

 

Jack and Bella updates

Jack continues to be such a supportive younger brother to his elderly sister, Bella. Both Brandee and I feel such awful neglect for not paying enough attention to Jack because Bella is consuming so much of our time, however we do what we can for him.  He is certainly patient and understanding.

To be very honest, Bella is on the human equivalent of hospice care. We keep her as comfortable as can be and, of course, comfort her as much as we can with lots of cuddling.  Brandee and I love every precious moment we have with her. She is such a precious daughter and we love her greatly.

She continues to have a healthy appetite and great spirit for life. Every now-and-then when she gets a little punchy she’ll even make the effort to jump on the couch or jump up onto my chest to get more attention!

 

Fired-up for the Future

As I write this message I am so grateful for many things including my Dad, my wife, my furry children and my colleagues. Of course, there will be many difficult decisions and challenges ahead of us and I look forward to building something terrific. I am so fired-up for the future that you cannot believe it! Anyone, or anything, in my way of achieving this vision is an obstacle that I will overcome.