Dandylion's last photo, taken as he enjoyed a favorite sunbeam spot on September 20, 2012.
(June 4, 2000 – September 24, 2012)
“I'm just a lap kitty.”
“And that's a good kind of kitty to be!”
“It's good for the mind.”
“Now I guess we know who wears the pants in THIS family!”
“And thoughts of my hero between my ears.”
“Purrrivate eye, will travel!”
“Here's looking at you, babe!”
“But I think I'll pause right here for a few minutes.”
“I'm creating a niche for myself in the literary world!”
“While Jonathan works, I can just relax.”
“Do you have a problem with that?”
“Sweep tight, widdle puddy tat!?”
“There are so many possibilities to consider . . . ”
“Oh, hi! I didn't notice you there for a minute.”
“I can diagram sentences with my eyes shut!”
“Explain it to me one more time: how do I balance this thing?”
“Who is that snapping those fingers at me, anyway?”
“This year we're Santa's best!”
“I really do love my sister Sassy.”
“…I can fly!”
“Doesn't anybody want to help me play with this string?”
In the beginning, sister Sassy was much larger than Dandy.
Dandy checks Today's weather.
Little Dandy gets a close look at big Al Roker.
Dandy discovers his new mommy's pillow.
Dandy isn't even a handful for David Mitchell.
Sarah Mitchell holds Dandy (right) and his brother.
Dandy steps out front to get our attention.
It is evident that Minnie gave Dandy his coat.
Dandy came to live at the Mitchell house after we searched long and hard to find a replacement for our 20-year-old Honeysucker, who died at Easter 2000. We knew we wanted a healthy, furry, friendly, and communicative kitten, but we looked at many purebred and mixed longhair kittens over a several-week period without choosing one.
Finally we called Ned Richardson, veteran host of “The Trading Post” on WBTM 1330 radio in Danville, Virginia. Ned is a well-known cat-lover, whose winter weather prognostications are typically, “It's going to be cold tonight, so we'll have to throw on another cat!” Ned took Henry's kitten specs on the air, and within five minutes Patricia received a call from Dee Gochenour of Danville, who reported having taken in a stray longhair, “Minnie,” who was apparently going to deliver kittens soon.
The blessed arrival occurred on June 4, 2000. Six weeks later, the babies were ready to go, so we went for a look. There were two tiny red tabby boys, and three large calico girls. We settled on one of the boys. His eyes followed us everywhere, he shuddered all over when we picked him up, and he had the loudest purr ever heard in such a small cat! He was such a dandy kitten that we dubbed him “Dandylion.” His largest sister also won our hearts, and so we took her, too, calling her “Sassyfras.”
Our heartfelt thanks go to Dee and Eddie Gochenour for raising such healthy, responsive little cats!
Dandylion's last photo, taken as he enjoyed a favorite sunbeam spot on September 20, 2012.
After an extraordinary life of entertainment and affection, Dandy passed away on September 24, 2012. He was the last member of his birth family, his mother Minnie and his last calico sister having both died a few months earlier.
Photo of Ned Richardson provided by WBTM Radio.
This webpage is sponsored by Mitchells Publications.
Copyright © 2001–2012 Patricia B. Mitchell.