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| RIP Wise Juno (July 2011 - January 22, 2012) |
This story began last summer, when a good-natured stray cat adopted us. Or rather...a pregnant stray cat adopted us. She was so sweet and so affectionate (and she also looked quite a lot like our beloved Maddie cat which we last two Januarys ago of old age...a ripe, old 18 years!), and we could not bear to see her almost skeletal frame. We immediately started feeding her...and taking her ice water to fend off the heat...and fashioning a bed for her. When my son first laid eyes on this "stranger cat" (his term for a "stray cat") he was mesmerized by her very green eyes, and (since we were planting collard greens at the time) he proudly dubbed her "Collard Green Eyes" which (thankfully) was shortened to Collie.
In the record breaking heat of last summer, three of her kittens survived (we did not find where she had hidden the kittens until the next day). We were blessed with three little black and white bundles of fur and energy: Coco (fluffy and sweet), Ringo (the risk taker), and Juno (the wise one, with a skunk-like face). Last night, we lost Juno. My kids were inconsolable. There were many tears in our house. Lots of "big questions" from little souls who were not quite ready to wrestle with them, and yet they must.
Ironically, I was at the part of my book where death loomed just pages away for a certain character. But, in the midst of the tears and howls of heartbreaking pain, I could not bring myself to sit down and write. There were tears to be dried, and a cat funeral to arrange. So, my character was spared for another day.
Sometimes, there is enough death for one day.
That sucks. Hugs to all.
ReplyDeleteThank you! We had the kitty funeral last night. The kids said a few words, shed too many tears to count, and laid rosemary on the grave (for remembrance...although catnip may have been more appropriate). I did not get any writing done in the evening (I had not expected to), but I did get three pages written over lunch, and I am planning another "writing lunch" today.
ReplyDeleteAlso, my dear friend has given wise Juno a second life as a character in her book, where he will be memorialized forever! The children were SO excited to hear that their sweet kittie was going "to be famous." :)
One of the best ways to 'remember' a loved one is to write about them. The fame helps too.
ReplyDeleteIt's always sad to lose a pet like that.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda! You're right. We had a lovely kittie funeral for Wise Juno, though...we added some rosemary (for remembrance), and I promised the kids that I would plant some catnip nearby this spring.
ReplyDeleteThat's awful Ginger, so sorry.
ReplyDeleteMy Mum has lost two cats on the road outside her house in one year. It's traumatised her into not having cats anymore.
Even though your kitty had quite a short life it must have been one full of fun and joy with you guys.
Hugs to you and the kids.x
Two cats in a year?! That sounds unbearable. Yet, I cannot imagine a life without cats (is that even possible!?). Juno's sisters are starting to adapt, and the kids can say his name without crying now (I know, I know, Juno is a girl cat's name, but it took us a bit to realize Juno had extra non-girl-cat-parts, and by that time the name had stuck).
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