RememberingSorry to be a downer with this one. In April of this year, we found two stray kittens. We already had 2 cats and 3 dogs. We didn't intend to keep them, but they quickly stole our hearts. Recently, one of the kittens died. I find writing to be cathartic, but this may be a little on the sad side, so be warned.
Round yellow eyes, so full of curiosity.
Soft, gleaming black and white fur.
So like your brother in so many ways.
When we first found you, the only way to tell you apart
was that little white spot on your back.
But as you grew you became uniquely you.
The sound of your voice.
The softness of your fur.
Your little round face with the perfect white whiskers.
You loved to cuddle up so close
and touch my face with a soft white paw.
And you would sneak in the occasional "love bite"...
but it never really hurt.
You so loved your brother.
I can see you even now,
all cuddled up together.
The picture of happiness.
Content, almost smiling.
I remember how you loved to steal a chair.
No sooner than we got up,
there you were, rolling, so happy
a look of mocking pride....
stealing a silly human's chair.
I remember your pretty little face
as you raised up on the back of the chair,
little white paws reaching up, begging for a treat
and the sound of your begging voice so clear.
You loved it outside,
even though you weren't supposed to be there.
You would wait and rush the door.
"Stampede!" my husband would often call.
When we would finally lure you back inside,
you would sprawl out on the floor
with that gleam in your eye,
something akin to feline pride,
like you had accomplished such grand things
escaping from the world of humans.
You came into our life so unexpectedly.
Little stray bundles of warm, fuzzy fur.
"There is no room", we said.
For our house seemed already so full
of cats and dogs and humans too.
We asked friends and some family too
If they could make room for you.
But then you snuck right into our hearts,
one purr at a time,
one soft snuggle at a time.
And we were lost.
And now you are gone.
Seemingly as quickly as you appeared.
Taken by that big scary world
you so loved to explore.
And my heart is crying.
Who would imagine that such a small little creature
that was part of my life for such a small time
would carve such a mark on my heart?
So now I guard your brother even more closely
and wonder if he misses you too.
I think of you often,
when my lap grows cold,
or my chair remains empty and I miss the sound of your voice.
When I lie still at night,
as I drift off to sleep,
I can almost hear your purr
and feel your soft touch on my face...
Happiness and sadness entwined.
And my thoughts are with you, hoping that your short life
was filled with the same joy which you brought me.
A couple of weeks ago, it was a year since I lost my pup that had been my "best boy" for 15 years. A year is past and I can still hear the little "jingle" that his tags made, I still rouse a bit in the night and feel him snuggled against the back of my legs and I still can't bring myself to venture into my back yard where he rests.....but I do talk to him.
Oh, how they steal our hearts.
I know I dreamed you a sin and a lie
I have my freedom but I don’t have much time
Faith has been broken, tears must be cried
Let’s do some living after we die
Wild horses couldn’t drag me away
Wild, wild horses, we’ll ride them some day
...
Re: Remembering
I had to put my dear sweet Garfield to sleep around Valentine's day. He was 22 years old and very sick. He was skin and bones and not using the box. I still miss him terribly and have his picture on my desk at work. I now have tow new kitties, but no other pet will be able to take the place that Garfiled has in my heart. Thank you so much for sharing that was a great poem.
Re: Remembering
Thanks for the kind words Haila and Sytry. I had a 15 year old cocker spaniel who died in August too. Prior to that, I don't think I had lost one of my pets in about 10 years or so. Yes, they sure do steal your hearts. I have now made my critters agree to a pact to die old and gray and comfy in their beds asleep!
For future reference, a friend got me "Dog Heaven" which is great for kids and adults alike. Another got me "For Every Cat an Angel" again, for kids and adults alike.
Re: Remembering
Are those books? Who is the author of the cat one? I hate to admit this, but some days I miss my Garfield so very much. I got him when he was two and we had moved to Omaha from a small town 15 miles west of the city. He was my moving present. He moved to my new apartment with me in May of 2004. He wasn't well then, but it was nice to have him move with me. Today is one of those days that I wish he was still here. The best pets never seem to live long enough.
Re: Remembering
Yes, they are books, very short, but sweet.
"For Every Cat an Angel" by Christine Davis
"Dog Heaven" by Cynthia Rylant. She also has "Cat Heaven".
I know what you mean, of course they would need to live my entire lifetime happy and healthy to suit me! Sorry to hear you are blue today. I know how you feel.
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