JACKIESUE IS BROKEN HEARTED

I had a humorous post I planned to issue today; but Jackiesue has lost her companion, best friend, closest sentinel being: her cat Dexter. 

 It is strange this day and age of the internet that you can feel so close to people that you have never met; but following Jackiesue’s blog for years I feel close to her. 

Young people and families with a household full of people, friends and pets probably don’t understand the connection you make with an animal that shares your life when you are disconnected from family and friends and living alone.   

My wife and I have no close family or friends.  For almost forty years we have live a solitary life of mutual support, love and friendship.  For eighteen of those years we shared our life with a Rag Doll cat we raised from a kitten.  The cat was so much a part of our life that it was our family.  I didn’t cry when my Grandmother who raised me died or when my mother died; but I cried when I held that cat and it was euthanized.

I understand how Jackiesue feels. 

Even if you do not follow the blog Yellow Dog Granny you might access her site and leave a comment of support and understanding.

the Ol’Buzzard

   

LAMENT FOR OUR CAT

 

The first of a thousand kisses

Wednesday we had to put down our baby.  She was eighteen years old and she had wasted away until she could not stand.   She wasn't a pet - we have no close family or friends; for years it has been just the three of us.   She was family.

She was so much a part of our routine that it will take a while to adjust.  If I got up in the morning before my wife, she didn't like it –a Ragdoll breed she was very vocal.   My wife would have to get up first and the two of them would go down stairs.   She would sit by the door as my wife used the bathroom.  The two of them would then go into the kitchen and she would wait patiently while my wife prepared her morning meal.   

It seemed that all of our daily routines included Dixie.   Our couch is a two-seater: that means one cushion for my wife and one for the cat.   She would be very aggravated if I took her place beside my wife.   I was expected to stay in my easy-chair.

Nap time for sisters: my girls

She and my wife interacted all day and she followed her everywhere.   She liked attention from me and would flee to me when she was scared.   But she was my wife’s baby-girl.

I held her in my arms (that’s where she wanted to be) as she was injected and she went limp.   Those beautiful blue eyes went black as the pupils dilated: at restful peace.   Afterwards my wife and I spent the day out – away from the house.  We had dinner at a local restaurant and returned home about seven. 

How strange it was to walk into the house and not be met by her at the door.   It felt like we were in some negative parallel universe or the cold reflection of our house inside a mirror.

We will move on; but she will, as she has been for so many years, be an integral part of us.