The Animals

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Permalink Reply by deerwoman on May 30, 2009 at 6:58am

I wish to send a thank you to the animals who come into our lives as domestic companions. I am doing this in memory of my very special friend who passed into spirit on May 29th, 2009. She was a petit, orange tabby and 16 years old at the time of her passing.

My friend had been part of a colony of feral cats for three years in the early part of her life. I had heard that her mother was a very special lady who did quite well getting around despite being blind. At the time I came to know my friend she lived in a yard behind buildings in the village and was being fed by an elderly man who owned a business there. Noticing her upbeat personality, I decided to take her in, and it was a very good choice. She was fun loving, ladylike and considerate. Growing up in the outdoors she knew how to get along with other cats, as well as wildlife. And due to toughing it out for quite a while on the streets of the village, she was never fussy or demanding as a domestic companion. She accepted what was offered gently and asked for very little...except to be brushed. This had been my offer when I suggested that she come and live with me. I didn't realize that she spoke English so well and would hold me to it. I'm glad she did. This spring we distributed her brushed out fur for the birds to use in their nests. I spotted a chickadee flying off with a tuft of orange fur and her flight suggested to me that she felt she had acquired a special nest material with which to protect her young.

So, acknowledging and saying thank you to my beloved friend and all the companion animals who provide constant devotion and help to hearten our lives and our journey.

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Permalink Reply by deerwoman on June 28, 2009 at 10:43am

Thank you Jennifer Adele. She was beautiful and always had a pleasant look on her face. She was and still is, in my recollections, a golden ball of of sunshine.

It sounds like you have a nice group there, too. I have one guy, a handsome tuxedo kitty. Another formerly feral one. He's a bachelor, now. He has never been solo as a domestic or feral cat before. Quite an adjustment for him and for me to not have other cats for him to relate to. It's hard to see him without his close friend, like any elderly gent who has lost his spouse. He's doing better now. I am seeing new new sides come out of him. Maybe me too.

deerwoman

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Permalink Reply by deerwoman on July 9, 2009 at 9:42am

Just wanting to say something that many of you already know. That our animal companion's lives are usually much shorter than our own and therefore we have to deal with parting with them sooner than we'd like. Having had several pets who have moved on into spirit, I have thought about how we say good bye to each other. (OK get out a tissues). You may have heard this, but it seems that it comes to a point when they are older and they feel their life is diminishing, that they try to say good-bye to us. I feel I have not been sensitive or aware enough, in the past, to know this when it is being communicated to me. Probably many have shared this same feeling.

When my girl, in the picture below, one night, took a long time looking at me and really contemplating my face, it seemed, that may have been her making sure to make a deep connection with me that I would remember. i didn't realize it then, but I do now.

This comes to mind, because my remaining cat, who is also older and has health issues, such as a heart murmur, made an uncommon gesture for him. Last night sometime, I woke up and he was patting my head. I know it sounds funny. But, he was clearly doing something that was showing great affection and attention in the way that I always do with him. He also nuzzled me under his chin. This time, I will acknowledge this as a gesture of great meaning for him and I. Though I am sad to think that this may be his time.

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