This was on Facebook last night. I've said, something similar: "One cat does not replace another, but your heart can expand to love another." It took me a while to come to that after we said our good-byes to our first cat, Smoke. She lived to almost 22, and losing her hurt so bad that I said I could never do that again.
Of course, I was proven wrong when Molly came to visit. And stayed. Steph said, "She knew you had a big hole in your hearts that only another cat could fill." Molly taught us that we could bring another cat into the family. She was truly amazing - she is the subject of "Cat On A Leash." Our time with that big girl was too short. We started "dating her" when she was 6 years old. I expected another 15 years with Molly... but, it wasn't to be. We lost her when she was just 10.
And then, our sweet little Isabella (Izzy). We went to the shelter looking for a full-grown mature girl, and this little bit of a thing locked eyes with Joan, and... that was that. Izzy was small, not in good health, but we gave her great care and she thrived. She grew to become an 8 pound cat with the heart of a lioness. She and Joan had a special bond, but I was very protective of her. Great personality, lovey, and an amazing traveler - by boat and RV. Like Molly, she walked on a leash and was generally fearless. Her time came too soon. We were trying to get her to Phoenix where a pet surgeon gave us hope that she might live longer. That was not to be.
Next came Rufus. Regular readers here know about this big burly boy. He was in real need of being rescued. His look when we first saw him could only be described as "quirky," but his heart was full of love. This boy was a Maine Coon mix (we didn't know that when we first adopted him, and he certainly didn't look it), and had all the wonderful attributes that breed is known for. He and I had a similar "communication" as Molly and me. He walked tall and proud on his leash and just knew that anyone we came across was there to see him... people and dogs. I felt we hit the feline jackpot with this boy - we were fully retired when we adopted him and he was our constant companion. He seemed to settle in just fine when we moved to Phoenix and he loved our large yard. We took him to the vet when he developed a cough, and... another heartbreak. We had Rufus for 5 years and it wasn't enough. My Facebook Memories are full of Rufus posts - each one brings back wonderful memories. And the heartache of losing that wonderful spirit. I had said that "This boy needs to outlive me," because the thought of life without Rufus was unbearable. It will be two years this November and I still think about him every day. That boy gave the best "kitty hugs" ever: pick him up and he would put a big paw on either side of your neck and hug you in.
And now, Murphy. This boy is the most cat of any of our cats: he has spunk and personality. He was handsome from the moment we first saw him. In the year and 8 months we've had him, he has grown into a big boy and is playful and a bit of an imp. He does not snuggle like all our previous fur babies. But, he sits right beside Joan all the time... or follows me around like a puppy. He can walk on a leash, but he gets the freedom that the 6' block wall around our property affords... but one or both of us is always out there with him. He will look you right in the eyes. Where Rufus was Thor, the God of Thunder, Murphy is Rico Suave. We could not love him more. He is not a fan of being held, but we are patient, and he is learning that we are a huggy family. As I am writing this, he is sitting beside Joan, leaning against her. Progress. Murph is the most athletic of any of our cats, but that may be due to his young age (coming up on 3 years old). He is strong; both physical and in attitude.
The image I posted at the beginning of this post describes us and the wonderful felines who have been a member of our family. My heart has the scars from the holes left when our cats have crossed that Rainbow Bridge. Each has been so very different, but all of them truly special. If you read this far, my thanks. That statement really touched me.
1 comment:
OK, no more dry eyes today. We first met right after you lost Izzy and before you got Rufus. We met Rufus a time or two, and now I've met Murphy.
When we lost Buddy the Lawn Puma four years ago this November, I will never forget what you said: "We live longer than our beloved kitties. It breaks our heart to lose them. But that gives us more chances to love and rescue others". Alice could not live without a kitty for long and Duke was adopted / rescued seven weeks later on DEC 30. Lucy is sweet to me, but ignores her. Russian Blue is not noted as a cuddly breed. With Lucy being 13 and healthy, and Duke being 6, we hope to avoid heartbreak any time soon. Fingers crossed.
Duke went to the vet techs this morning for his mani-pedi. Even drugged with Gabapentin, he fights nail trims. He is big and strong (17.6 pounds today and all muscle). We have to hire the professionals to wrestle him. But I am safe from punctures for a while.
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