I don’t often put pictures up here on this blog of mine. I like to keep things simple and clean. Plus, the cow up top says all that needs to be said. I also like to allow the words to speak for themselves rather than be crowded out by pics.
Even though they say a picture speaks a thousand words, I’d like a thousand words to paint a picture today. Yesterday evening on the 25th of October 2011, my furry feline friend Tigger went to the big 100 acre wood on the other side.
Tigger was her name and that pic of her was taken about 7 hours before she passed on peacefully.
“If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you.
~ Winnie the Pooh
She told me not to worry. She told me she was going on her next adventure. It was exciting she said, not something to be sad over. I’ve stamped you on my soul she said and you’ll be with me forever. I’m going to the 100 acre wood in the big sky to chase squirrels and mice. At night, that blinking star bright in the sky is me. I’m winking at you. It’s fun up here. I promise, you’ll see too, one day. And I’ll be here to greet you.
But the sadness is not lost on me. It is an ocean with waves that beat against my shore. It is high tide right now and the saltiness of the ocean is like my tears.
There is a gaping whole in my heart, a tear in my soul. And only the kindness of time can knit it closed again. I’ll wait patiently Tigger. I’ll watch you in my mind. Your inquisitive nature. Your purring love and your peaceful eyes. I hear your meow and I feel the warmth of your fur against my body.
That comforts me some. But not enough. The waves are breaking again. They sting this open wound. Wish it weren’t so. Wish you were here to weave between my legs. But if wishes were coins I’d be a millionaire. But my riches are not material, they’re ethereal now.
Come visit again soon. My dreams will do, the waking and the sleeping. Rounding the corner today I thought I saw you peeking at me. Was that your face behind the tree? Those fall leaves rustling over ground, was it you chasing squirrels behind an earthy mound?
Go well my friend. Travel lightly in peaceful arms. Onwards to heaven’s gate. My prayers, my lips to God’s ears. I wish we could have shared a few more years.
I miss you. Kiss you. Bye bye for now.
I’m sorry for your loss.
Thank you. My furry friends always remind me why I chose to be vegan.
I am enriched by their lives and I’ll gladly suffer the sorrow for the time spent while living.
Tigger was my neighbour’s cat but I was privileged to be with her just a few hours before the end.
Thank you for being there, neighbour!
It was my honour and privilege.
My 20 year old plus cat whom I adore has had cancer for over 2 years. I feed her and the rest of my fur children only the best brands and I think that helps. She just had surgery on her eye which became ulcerated. People think I am crazy to spend any money on her yet they are my children. I mourn when one passes.
Please know I mourn your loss and I pray you can find it in your heart to find love enough to adopt another cat as they all need our help. xo
Thanks for your kind words Vicki.
It is hard saying goodbye for the whole they leave in our hearts. This was my neighbour’s cat but the loss still stung.
I have 4 of my own 2 of whom are getting up there at 17 or 18 years old. We adopted them, that’s why not totally sure on their age.
Food is crucial to health. Whether for us or for our furry friends, the right healthy food is important.
Sometimes it is hard to know when we’re keeping someone around for our own benefit at their expense. I hope your cat continues to live in comfort for several more years.
My condolences to you. I’m sorry for your loss. It is always difficult to say goodbye to a dear one. Much strength and courage to you.
Thanks Kris.
It is hard to say goodbye, but I have peace knowing that the way I treat animals through my diet and in person is one of peace and kindness.
Best,
Jason
Hi
I read your piece and felt absolutely overwhelmed – I guess all of us who share our lives with animals and are open to them because of our veganism, know exactly what you’re writing about…a beautiful piece, you did your little friend proud.
I have 7 cats, including 2 wonderful deaf cats and our most recent adoptee, Smokey, who is 18.
We adopted him from a shelter where we go visiting (we home educate and go and do maths sessions in with the cats to be company) and he always got passed over because of his age – he is a wonderful cat who has paid his dues and shouldn’t be in a shelter so he came home with us.
We just took him because we felt sorry for him and were doing something kind and didn’t expect such a capacity for HAPPINESS!
Smokey is now just the happiest cat in the world. It is a privilege…
(What a jumble and not what I meant to write)
Thoughts are with you,
Miranda
Thank you for your warm thoughts.
Wow, you have 7 feline friends. Good for you. And so nice to have adopted Smokey. Warm, compassionate people like you are so crucial to humanity’s evolution on this beautiful planet.
Namaste to you my friend.