Bailey’s Quincenero – New Hampshire Birthday Boy

My baby boy, Bailey-Boo Radley, turned 15 today!! So in true Mexican style, we celebrated his Quinceñero with gifts, a birthday song and loads upon loads of kisses! Yessss, we know it is actually a celebration held for girls and is supposed to be spelled Quinceñera, but hey when you’re celebrating your cat’s birthday, you’ve gotta break these rules! ; )

My Bailey and I have been together for the past 12 years and he has moved with me from Cleveland, New Orleans, San Diego and New Hampshire. He’s been my partner in crime as I traveled by car across the country to each new destination; that little man has seen more of the US than a lot of grown adults!

12 years ago today, my Momma brought him to me when I was living alone at my very first apartment in Cleveland after months of pushing me to go and adopt a little friend to live with me. You see, I’d been raised with animals and there was never a day where we didn’t have a feline friend sleeping in our beds or a dog to play fetch with so she knew how much companionship my own pet could bring.

But I am the consummate worrier, I worry like I am out to win the World Championship of Worrying and I worried that if I did adopt an animal that I may not have the money to properly care for him or her and that in turn wouldn’t be fair to the pet. So even though I had a steady job, I delayed getting a cat; and since my mom knew what was best (Mom’s are good at that!) and she knew I wouldn’t ever do it on my own, she took my sister with her to the local Animal Shelter and instantly locked eyes with a baby blue eyed wonder named Bailey – from that point on, she was sold. Even though he was badly sick with an Upper Respiratory Infection and had been shaved something incredible because his hair had been all matted, she just knew he was a diamond in the rough. Boy was she right! So on a chilly May 13th, she called me at work and asked to meet me at my place for lunch and in her possesion was the best gift I have ever received, Mr. Bailey.

Bailes came with his first name and I kept it since it seemed to fit him and I loved the name, but I wanted to personalize it a little too. One of my favorite books growing up was “To Kill a Mockingbird” and one of the main characters is named Boo Radley. Boo was a guy that was misunderstood, everyone thought that he was scary, bad, dangerous and something to be feared…but really, Boo Radley was a love at heart and was a good person who helped out the young girl in the story. So when my ginormous (he weighed 22 lbs at one point!), sneezy, boogery, sick, shaved all wacky love came to me and helped me by becoming my best friend, that name just seemed fitting. He looked rough and tough, but really, he’s just an angel. So from that point on, he has been Bailey-Boo Radley.

So, happy birthday, my littlest love. You are the best baby I could ever ask for. Here’s to many more years together. I love you.

xo, mom (sarahv)

And nooo, I didn’t put a hat on him – this is just some clever photoshopping!