Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger
A couple of years ago, Jonathan highlighted a “Pet of the Week” post on Sundays. This Saturday before Easter, I’d like to return to highlighting a pet of the week–my cat Abby. Abby was a gift given to my daughter Sara by her high school boyfriend when she was a junior. Sara’s boyfriend got Abby for her after we had to have Amber, the cat my husband and I gave our daughter for her eighth birthday, put to sleep. (Amber had cancer, had difficulty walking, and was barely able to eat.)
Sadly, this week, we had to have Abby put to sleep. It was a decision that had to be made. I was at my daughter’s house late Monday night when my husband called with the news that Abby was in distress. He wanted to know where the nearest animal hospital that provided 24-hour emergency services was located. Fortunately, my daughter and son-in-law knew of an excellent veterinary hospital not too far from our house where they had to take their dog Jack last year when he suffered from heat stress. Like Amber, Abby had been having some difficulty walking recently. She also had a heart murmur and congestive heart failure. I’m glad that she didn’t suffer for long.
It is often difficult to put into words the effect that loved ones—including our pets—have on our lives. Abby became MY cat after my daughter went off to college in 1998. Abby could often be found at my side—when I read the morning newspaper, when I worked at my computer, when I watched television, when I sat outside in the sun on the back deck reading books. She often slept next to me in bed. She was great company for me when my husband spent time away from home on extended business trips. Abby was my furry little friend who provided comfort to me when I suffered the loss of family members and friends over the years.
Since April is National Poetry Month, I thought I’d post two poems I wrote that were inspired by Abby. The first is a Fib, a poem of six lines and twenty syllables based on the Fibonnaci sequence (1/1/2/3/5/8). The Fib was invented by Gregory Pincus, a poet and screenwriter. Pincus made the “Fib” popular in 2006 when he posted about his new poetic form on his blog GottaBook. My second poem, I’m Cat, is called a mask poem. In it I speak in the voice of my cat Abby.
Here are my poems in memory of my cat Abby:
Cat
Soft
Furry
Purry friend
Cuddler on the couch
My comforter curled beside me
I’M CAT
I’m cat.
Come pat
My head.
I’ll purr.
Please stroke
My thick
And silky fur.
I’m clean,
Serene.
I lick.
I preen.
I’m naughty…
Haughty.
I’m the queen.
R.I.P.
Abby
Sorry for your loss, Elaine. I lost my dog last fall. He died suddenly. I still think of him a lot. Last cat I had lived to twenty. Had to put him to sleep because he couldn’t eat and was down to 4 pounds because of kidney disease. He moved in when he was about eight. Some of the best cats adopt you like idealist said. I am busy with my daughter’s dogs which are now ours and another cat that is trying to move in.
We love them dearly. My heartfelt sympathy, Elaine M.
Elaine,
I share your sorrow, as all of us do who have been owned by a cat.
Three has my life been blessed with. The sometimes problematic first phase, the deep bond which develops, and the pains of parting.
Our Lusse was one of two neighbor cats, the one who had adopted my wife Kerstin before she had had reason to move in with us. The neighbor moving to a new house only doors away, her visiting was no problem. But then we realized and confirmed she was staying with us and not eating at home.
She had chosen us to own. After agreeing not to feed her, etc. to see if she would go home, after 12 days with no food I gave her food and she moved in.
This was a cat who was indeed human. When I brought home a plastic packaged perch and rope entwined clawpost, and packed it up, she was so visibly thankful, it hurt to see. When I came home with a transport cage, she stood at the door visibly shaken at the certain contents it had of a competing cat. When I saw her expression, I hastened to put it on the floor to open the door and reveal there was no other cat in there. Such a relief, she looked up in my face to get a confirmation that she was our only cat and the cage was for her.
The tales are many, as we all have to tell. The devotion, her proving her worth by bringing home wild rodents she caught to demonstrated that, some bigger than her own head. Her sulking and hiding at home or in the woods, causing me to go out to walk the through road to see if, heaven forbid, she had been run over. The selfplanted catnip which survived two winters, that she partook of briefly most mornings to get a fligp-flop out of.
The diabetes which we treated with daily shots, her sleeping next to Kerstin. and her dignity and composure.
I hope this tale helps in that knowing Abby has many companions, if they don’t fight over “revirs”, in heaven. I mean they must be waiting for us there.
I’m so sorry Elaine for your loss, I know how painful it is to lose a pet…especially a cat (which I believe are young souls not unlike us). I’ll bet you loved and spoiled her to pieces and that she knew how very loved and lucky she was. Giving my herd extra hugs now…
I’m so sorry for your loss. There is a website that is quite nice for those of us who lose our beloved pets. It is: http://www.petloss.com/
it is a hard decision to have a pet/companion put down. but it is better than them suffering.
and speaking of suffering, my right leg is asleep and i need to go to the bathroom but the two cats in my lap (bitch kitty and princess chunk) don’t seem to care. i may have to break out the nip.
Elaine, and all who have shared their stories, Over the years I also had to put 3 cats to sleep who were ill. It is a terrible decision and yet one of the kindest most caring things you can do for your pet, knowiing when it is too hard for them to carry on.
Elaine,
Things happen not in our time…. Being the skeptic I am now, I am not sure whose time it is…. But bank on it there are things which we have no control over…. Just trust that in our end we will have an answer why…..
Years ago I read a book about Atlantis…. Not sure what the exact name of it is today…. But, it made a great deal of sense then…. And some of the things I read then…. I still recall….
Thanks for sharing your personal story with us……the poem is warm as well…..
My favorite four legged critter is a cat named Mister Meow. He is a Linx Pointe Siamese with a facility to talk all the time. He walks right up to dogs and puts his nose to their nose. It is good to share our sorrows and thoughts when a good pal like Abby passes on. The first photo above is divine. I would hope that as some short time passes you will get another four legged creature to share your life. There are so many out there who are in need of: a pal, a place to lie down, some food, a good vet, a nice chair from which to watch Animal Planet, and a toy or two to play with.
Elaine, I’m so sorry to hear about your kitty. Your poems are an excellent tribute to her. I too have lost a couple of kitties lately and it’s always very difficult. My best wishes and condolence go out to you.
So sorry for the news Elaine. They come into our lives and go all too soon. Here is hoping the hole in your heart heals soon. Maybe there is an Abby II that will come along to help you fill that space.
-at age two, our newly arrived from the pound hound, was stricken with cancer & post-op,the vet said it would return in 2 or 3 years…well, that dog lasted another 16…the fix was to keep him so trim you could count his ribs…sometimes tough love works for people&critters
There is a heaven for cats. Right now she is rolling in nip & having a chin scritch. Later she will have a saucer of warm cream and stalk a mouse. Its all good now.
Street Wise,
Thanks for sharing your touching story. I was sad that I couldn’t be with Abby when she was put to sleep–but I was comforted to know that my husband was with her and that the young vet and her assistant were very caring and supportive.
I have four cats that I carry in my heart: Amber, Susie, Abby–and the Siamese cat Smudgy we had when I lived with my parents. Susie was the cat we took in when our elderly neighbor passed away. Susie had a sweet and gentle disposition.
I agree, it’s a sad story, Elaine. Celebrate Abby’s life. You have two beautiful poems.
Just over four months ago I carried my beloved Ginger into her vet’s – she’d suffered from allergies and autoimmune issues for years – her last illness was short. She was young. Despite valiant efforts, she was too ill to save. In her last hour I cradled her, sang to her, prayed for her, rubbed her tummy, brought her sister and our rescue dog in to say good bye.
The love which surrounded her as she died was amazing. We now live each day remembering the fun things, the way she blessed and graced our lives. I’m grateful for the time I had with her, grateful she’s not suffering anymore, grateful she was loved, and now missed, in our community and was such a little trooper.
I’ll always carry part of Ginger in my heart and will open our home and hearts to another dog. It’s the cycle of life.
Dredd,
Twenty years old! That’s a good long life for a cat. Abby was over fifteen years old.
rafflaw and Gene,
Thanks for your kinds words. The night Abby was put to sleep I caught Jack–my daughter’s Yellow Lab–crunching on part of a broken light bulb that their cat Rudy had brought up from the basement. Jack eats everything and anything–including ant cups! I’m amazed that he is till alive and healthy
My condolences. We lost our 20 yr. old recently too.
Elaine,
My sincerest condolences on the loss of Abby. Cats are outstanding and affectionate companions and I have no doubt you miss your friend. However, by your words and pictures, I also have no doubt that Abby knew she was loved and well loved.
(((big hug)))
Gene
Sad story Elaine. We get so attached to pets and they become part of the family. Several years ago we had to put our 9 year old Yellow lab down, right in our family room. Our neighbor is our vet and he came over and put him to sleep in our arms. It is still hard to think about it. Take care!