Tribute to Ginger

This is a tribute to our pet cat Ginger, who recently passed away. The thumbnail image above for the video was taken during early morning hours. It’s a memorable moment played out every day where Ginger would hide behind the back of her favorite chair and peek out at me. Whenever I came home she would run over to that chair and begin her hide and seek ritual.

Peeking From Behind Railings

When we first saw Ginger at Northeast Animal Shelter seventeen years ago, my two daughters fell in love with her big eyes and beautiful orange coat. We knew right then and there that she was “The One.”

New Kitty Hiding Under Furniture

But when we brought Ginger home, we quickly realized that none of us in the family knew anything about taking care of a cat. So while researching about the best way to care for Ginger, I decided I would produce a “how to” video about kitten care. A video that would not only teach kids how to care for their new kitten in a simple step by step manner that kids could understand, but one that would also be hosted by kids. And since my two girls grew up with a camera regularly shoved in their faces by their photojournalist father on a daily basis, who would be better suited for the job?

Young Talent

Ginger at Her Bowl

I wrote a quick script and started shooting right away, doing take after take of the girls in front of the camera, trying to hang on to an ever squirming Ginger (see the bloopers in the end credits).

Under the Bed

Your New Kitty had a nice run selling in pet stores and online for a few years: Amazon ad and reviews

This version has been cut down considerably for the web, but the memories of sweet little Ginger as the star of the “Your New Kitty” video will always be with us.

Sleeping Beauty

Another Favorite Spot

Ready to Pounce

On Her Chair Again

Getting Some Love

The vet told me that by instinct cats will never let you know when they are ill. It’s a defense mechanism they use to ward off predators that may see their weakness. Ginger’s final days were spent quietly at home. She would not eat or drink. When we took her to the vet they said her kidneys were not functioning and it would be best to let her go. During the final moments of her life I looked her in the eyes, petting her gently between the ears and under her chin. It’s not easy to let someone go. First time for me.

Adios Ginger. You were truly a star. You were “Your New Kitty.”

Sorry for the 4×3 format and the horrible interlacing artifacts in the movement.

Shot on an old Sony Hi8 camcorder
Edited on Avid Xpress
Talent: Ginger the kitty along with Coree & Taylor Macomber