"Why should we hear about body bags and deaths? Oh, I mean, it's not relevant. So why should I waste my beautiful mind on something like that?"
- Barbara Bush, 3/18/03

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please


posted 7 June 07 & filed under kittens

kiss and cuddle your animal friends around you. they are the best, and you know it, but it’s easy to take them for granted sometimes. i know i do all the time. but not right now.

my first cat was named spunky – a big head with a little kitten body attached to it. his hair stood up all the time, like he’d just stuck his paw in a socket. he died very young and suddenly – i remember crying in the workshop as he slowly stopped breathing. then came pepper, my beautiful blank panther that i used to hoist onto my shoulders, pretending i was some pirate or animal charmer. she died alone, at the age of thirteen, one cold snowy night while i was in far-away l.a. then, not too long ago, though already over five years have passed, i had four cats – fleas, who was a total superhero of a cat indeed, and mamacat with her two kittens, mellow and trouble. a little after a year – with me often waking up and all four bodies snuggled on my own; and many a night barricading sleeping human toes from kitten teeth and pouncing claws with pillows; and even better, being spooked awake at three a.m. when all cats, i believe, go a little crazed, running around like mad happy demons, careening off walls – fleas went missing, and a handful of weeks later, mellow died.

..and now my heart has broken again, all the worse due partially to former breaks, for a young cat who i love. she was beautiful, a total sweetie, strong and fierce in everything she did – playing, eating, talking, you name it. and with an ability to love that made me laugh in delight and awe every time. i still really can’t believe she’s gone. it just seems impossible.

i don’t know whether to post this. ..and instead of hugs or nice words sent to me, just please hug and kiss your cats and dogs, ok. thanks. i’m going to hang out with my trouble and mamacat, who these last few days have been so serious and sweet with their glances.

Comments

if i had a pet, i’d go hug it.

...off to go find a cat or dog!

~ lori z (Jun 8, 09:34 AM#)

Angie and Oni (cats) will get extra snuggles and playtime this weekend in honor of your lost friend.

~ Jayme (Jun 8, 09:50 AM#)

I know you don’t want hugs or condolences, but my instincts are just too strong not to reach out to you. This is terrible, terrible sad news. I am so, so sorry and I will hug Townes, Tuna and the Z. You are right – they are the best. Hug that mamacat.
Love, J

~ Julia (Jun 8, 10:25 AM#)

I must say i’m a little relieved to hear that it wasn’t trouble or mama cat you were talking about— however, the tears had already begun to well up in my eyes before i read that last sentence! do squeeze those two gatti for me! yes, i know that everyday is precious with my little mococat and motorino- they’re sleeping peacefully next to me now. thanks for the reminder to just appreciate the present, as beautiful as it is!

~ caroline (Jun 8, 04:58 PM#)

Oh no, I’m so so sorry. I am also relieved it wasn’t Trouble or Mama cat, but still, it’s heartbreaking.
I’m going to give Kelvin and Pipie a big squeeze.

Hugs.

~ Francesca (Jun 14, 11:43 AM#)