In December of 2008, a cat started tweeting on Twitter. He tweeted about many things, but his favorite thing to do was tell stories about his human companion, who was an artist. He became the spokescat for his artist companion’s burgeoning arts business, and he also became a worldwide advocate for the Canton Arts District in downtown Canton, OH. He tweeted about his everyday cat adventures, and he tweeted about some, well, shall we say, extraordinary misadventures.
That cat’s stories on Twitter became so beloved, his birthday was celebrated on Twitter in the first official 24 hour #PawPawty. He made many friends around the world in subsequent #PawPawties and other cyber adventures, and he became quite the internet sensation. He launched his human’s art business, and he brought many pet portrait commissions her way.
That cat was Brewskie Butt and his human companion was me. Although his stories in cyberspace were quite fanciful, I assure you, Brewskie Butt the cat was every bit the character that the stories revealed.
Brewskie Butt (AKA The Brew) was a real cat who came to my home in 2004. A friend at work brought him to me after he had been rescued on the side of the road by a school teacher friend of hers. The first night I had him, he stuck his nose into my freshly poured beer and he started drinking, earning his name by rights in an instant.
Brewskie was ornery, obnoxious, pugnacious, nosey and annoying at times. He was also loving, curious, humorous and the biggest presence in the room no matter who was in the room with him. Although he was a huge presence, he also had a way of sharing that presence, making everyone around him feel welcome.
I am sad to say that Brewskie is not in the room anymore.
Brewskie went to the storied Rainbow Bridge yesterday. He had been suffering from pancreatitis since January of this year, and he declined rapidly over the past week. I cannot tell you how much his presence is missed here in my home.
I really miss that ornery, obnoxious, pugnacious, nosey, annoying, loving, curious, humorous cat who was the biggest presence in the room no matter who was in the room with him.
The Rainbow Bridge for me is in Dellroy, OH. I used to live in a cabin there years ago, and my friend who owns the property allows me to continue burying my pets there. Brew’s body, and spirit, rests next to that of his former nemesis Slick, and those of Bub and the original Beezie.
I am not sure how to move forward without my buddy Brew. He has been such a big part of my life for 13 years. I owe him a lot, because, without his presence, I don’t know if I would have explored the creative depths that I did with him by my side. I know I will come back around, but, for now, I feel pretty lost without him.
I have painted, drawn and digitally mastered many artworks of Brew through the years. I even created a picture book and a coloring book with an artistic character based on him. But I never created a serious portrait of him. I have painted serious portraits of many of his cyber friends, but I have not seriously depicted the huge impact that he has had on my life in an artwork.
So a few days ago, when I realized that the end of our wonderful time together was near, I started painting a Premiere Portrait of Brew. I began painting it at home, with him sitting next to me, then I finished it in my studio today after he was gone. It was both the hardest, and the easiest, painting I have ever painted.
I often paint portraits of pets for people who are going through the experience of losing a pet. I want them to know that, when I paint their pet’s portrait, I feel with them, and I try to translate that love that they feel into the portrait. I have to be authentic with that experience. I know their pain, because I am living it too. It is the sweetest pain, because it is the sweetest love – that human animal bond.
Anyway, this one is for you Brew. I have loved you with every ounce of my being, even when you were annoying the crap out of me. I miss you dude. Life will never be the same.
But life is so much grander because of your having been here.
Life is an Adventure!
BZTAT
Many times Brewskie shared this song and video on Twitter with friends to comfort their loss of a beloved pet. I know he has many friends, and I wanted to share this with you to comfort your loss as I deal with my own private sadness.
“Someday we’ll find it, the Rainbow Connection, the lovers, the dreamers and me.”
Brewskie Butt was an icon. I’m so grateful to have known him through his social media personality and known you in real life. What a gift he was to the world….and of course, to you, his beloved BZTAT. Sending so much love to you.
Thanks. He not only was my muse, he was my introduction to fascinating people around the world. I cherish many things that he brought to my life, but bringing you and I together as friends is one of them that I will cherish the most.
I am sorry for the loss of your beloved Brewskie. On wings of angels, Brewskie! ❤️
Thank you. He was never an angel on earth – I hope he’s behaving himself at the Bridge. 😉
Tears now. So beautiful. Big hugs to you Vicki. You gave Brew a wonderful life.
I think that he gave me a wonderful life. Together we were quite a team. 🙂 thanks for your kind words.
I am devastated hearing that my furrend, Brew, is OTRB. I will miss him lots. Sending comforting purrz to you that in time you will have loving memories and those memories will make you stronger. Today I cry.
Thanks Cathy. You were one of Brew’s besties. Yes, there are so many memories. And I have so many photos, videos, paintings, drawings and silly avatars to reminisce with. Even though they make me cry now, they also make me smile. 🙂
My heart aches along with you. A great loss to theanipal community
Thanks Wanda. Maggie was always one of his bestest pals!
I’m so sorry you’ve lost such a muse and inspiration. He will be alive forever for all the ways you’ve created with him and his image. Our sympathies from this household.
Thanks Bernadette. The hard part is that I have so many artworks of him around. The best part, though, is that I have so many artworks of him around. 🙂
The Brews, Perry, Dolly and so many of their friends are all together again. I’m sure they will be disrupting their corner of Heaven with one more elaborate scheme after another in their never ending pawparty. ☺
I wonder where in Heaven they will find the lampshades…snicker…
I am sure they have quite a BREW haha going on there…with an unending supply of hooch.
Such a big loss with a huge purrsonality. Brew was the best – even when he was being bad (!) and my heart is breaking for you, my friend. He was an original and he will never be forgotten. *hugs*
Thanks. Yes, he was quite a unique character. Although the Twitter stories were a bit grandiose, the character was very real. Thanks for the kind words.
Heartbroken. Utterly heartbroken.
The Brew was such a friend, his witty charm, his sense of fun are with me now as they have always been. He made my heart smile and as I sing along with Kermit I have some smiles still in spite of my tears.
He and Perry ribbing each other, the way only best friends could was unforgettable, and he knew Dash.
Brewskie Butt was and IS something special. Fly Free wonderful ginger muse.
Thanks Marjorie. He, and I, loved you and Dash as our friends from afar who were so close and dear. That love lives on. 🙂
We’re so sorry to hear about Brewskie. He will be missed by so many. Purrs…
Thanks so much for your kind words.
We are so very sorry for your loss, purrs of comfort and paws of sympathy.
Thanks so much.
Oh I am so so sorry not to have known Brewski before. Your tribute to him is marvellous and touching and so very heartfelt thatch leaves me in tears for your loss. I pray that the art that he inspired will be both joy and inspiration and fond memory for the coming days and fill your heart so the sadness is replaced with all the good things he, and you and he came to celebrate together.
Gentle purrs to you
ERin
Thanks Erin. You are so kind. I wish you could have known him, but I am glad that I get the chance to know you.
I am so sorry for your loss. I never got to know Brewskie but wish I had. The first time I heard of him was when I won your colouring book which was part of Marjorie Dawson and Dash Kitten’s giveaway., which by the way I have really enjoyed.
I, like many others, know the terrible sense of loss you are feeling and my thoughts are with you.
Thanks. I’m glad you enjoyed the coloring book.
I’m so, so sorry Vicki. I remember the first time you and I met at BlogPaws back in 2012 in Salt Lake City. Brew was a legend back then and remains one now. RIP to your ornery, obnoxious, pugnacious, nosey, annoying, loving, curious, humorous cat who was the biggest presence in the room no matter who was in the room with him. xoxoxo – from Deb and the Zee/Zoey gang
Thanks Deb. He certainly left his mark on many hearts. 🙂
We’re so sorry that Brewskie had to go to the Bridge. We only knew him from afar, but it is clear to us that he was so loved, and will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him. Gentle and comforting purrs to you as you mourn the loss of your special mancat.
Thanks so much. Yes, the love coming from his many fans is truly comforting.
I’m so, so sorry. It’s just about the hardest thing in the world to lose your muse and soul mate. Please know that I’m holding you in my heart and that if you ever need to talk, you can always email me.
Yes it is. Thanks so much for understanding and caring.
Vicki, I am so sad to hear about Brew’s illness and passing. I loved reading about him in books and blogs. He will live on in our memories. God bless.
Pam
Thanks Pam. As much as I loved him, I am really touched to see how many other people cared for him. His memory will certainly live on.