Oh Claire. Even when you know the moment is coming, the loss is hard. These small furry creatures give us so much. I imagine you and Suley grieving together, and finding comfort in each other.
I have resisted replying to these two posts regarding Zeki, Claire, in small part because everyone said already what I would say - but better; and in large part because I still am raw from my own similar experience.
The form of the habit our pets assume is large and great; my dog when he was alive made me a better version of myself; in his absence, I founder. Life continues.
So sorry for your loss. While cats can be very independent creatures with regard to their attitudes, they also are very dependent in so many ways. And the best ones - like your Zeki - give out a tremendous amount of love.
I appreciate your sharing the experience with your cat. I'm coming to terms with the mortality of my lil Shih Eli. 12 years old, he survived IMHA near death experience at 4 years old. Now it's Cushings Disease. But I have more time with him, having a reprieve on his end time. I believe your piece is helping me come to terms with this phase in his life. To make the most of the time we have with the ones we love. And who love us.
I'm so sorry Claire - an aren't animals just so amazing. One of my girlfriends had the same experience when she put her elderly dog to sleep at home. The much younger, bigger dog was in the next room and the second that her senior dog passed he howled out loud. They know so much more than we can ever imagine. Thank you for giving him the dignity.
Claire, as a fellow animal lover (people, not so much), I truly feel your pain and sympathize.
I lost my favorite dog to renal failure several years ago ,and it took months to recover. Now I have another one, and love her just as much.
I didn’t see yesterday’s newsletter, so I don’t know if you have multiple cats and dogs. However, caring for a new one, helps after you get through the pain and loss.
One can never replace a beloved pet, but it truly inspires one, to save another...:)
Dear friend (whom I have never met - but it is possible, isn't it, to become friends-at-a-distance?) - Your previous post about little Zeki was so moving, I had to stop reading midway through. I can only begin to imagine what feelings of grief you have experienced, but I hope that there was, also, a measure of joy in remembering happier times, as well as a feeling of peace in knowing that Zeki's trials are over. If it helps with grieving, I would also hope that you keep writing about those interesting little characters with whom you share your life...or refinishing furniture...whatever moves you.
I'm so sorry, Claire. The animals who choose to bond with us and each other have their own ways of knowing and loving... we have nothing to teach them, and often a great deal from them to learn and be grateful for. Your relationship with Suley has deepened, and you will be there for each other going forward, each in your own way. Thank you for sharing this with your friends... we all benefit from such an instance of beauty and love and mystery.
Oh Claire. Even when you know the moment is coming, the loss is hard. These small furry creatures give us so much. I imagine you and Suley grieving together, and finding comfort in each other.
I imagined it too.
I have resisted replying to these two posts regarding Zeki, Claire, in small part because everyone said already what I would say - but better; and in large part because I still am raw from my own similar experience.
The form of the habit our pets assume is large and great; my dog when he was alive made me a better version of myself; in his absence, I founder. Life continues.
Sweetness
Stephen Dunn
Just when it has seemed I couldn’t bear
one more friend
waking with a tumor, one more maniac
with a perfect reason, often a sweetness
has come
and changed nothing in the world
except the way I stumbled through it,
for a while lost
in the ignorance of loving
someone or something, the world shrunk
to mouth-size,
hand-size, and never seeming small.
I acknowledge there is no sweetness
that doesn’t leave a stain,
no sweetness that’s ever sufficiently sweet.
Tonight a friend called to say his lover
was killed in a car
he was driving. His voice was low
and guttural, he repeated what he needed
to repeat, and I repeated
the one or two words we have for such grief
until we were speaking only in tones.
Often a sweetness comes
as if on loan, stays just long enough
to make sense of what it means to be alive,
then returns to its dark
source. As for me, I don’t care
where it’s been, or what bitter road
it’s traveled
to come so far, to taste so good.
How they break our hearts when they go.
I'm sorry for your broken heart, too.
Bon voyage à Zeki. May he find a good place where he goes.
elm
💐
Sorry for your loss. But pleased Zeki had a sibling companion, a good life, and a loving family.
So sorry for your loss. While cats can be very independent creatures with regard to their attitudes, they also are very dependent in so many ways. And the best ones - like your Zeki - give out a tremendous amount of love.
My dog howled the moment my neighbor died (they were good friends). They do know.
Thank you, everyone. I do find reading these comments comforting.
I appreciate your sharing the experience with your cat. I'm coming to terms with the mortality of my lil Shih Eli. 12 years old, he survived IMHA near death experience at 4 years old. Now it's Cushings Disease. But I have more time with him, having a reprieve on his end time. I believe your piece is helping me come to terms with this phase in his life. To make the most of the time we have with the ones we love. And who love us.
I'm so sorry Claire - an aren't animals just so amazing. One of my girlfriends had the same experience when she put her elderly dog to sleep at home. The much younger, bigger dog was in the next room and the second that her senior dog passed he howled out loud. They know so much more than we can ever imagine. Thank you for giving him the dignity.
Tears, it is ever so hard.
Deepest condolences, Claire.
Oh how immensely lucky we are to share in the lives of these sweet and wonderful beings. They make us better people.
Sending love to three who I have never met, but am so grateful for. Each in the chain of life makes us pause to find joy. Sweet rest, dear Zeki.
Claire, as a fellow animal lover (people, not so much), I truly feel your pain and sympathize.
I lost my favorite dog to renal failure several years ago ,and it took months to recover. Now I have another one, and love her just as much.
I didn’t see yesterday’s newsletter, so I don’t know if you have multiple cats and dogs. However, caring for a new one, helps after you get through the pain and loss.
One can never replace a beloved pet, but it truly inspires one, to save another...:)
Dear friend (whom I have never met - but it is possible, isn't it, to become friends-at-a-distance?) - Your previous post about little Zeki was so moving, I had to stop reading midway through. I can only begin to imagine what feelings of grief you have experienced, but I hope that there was, also, a measure of joy in remembering happier times, as well as a feeling of peace in knowing that Zeki's trials are over. If it helps with grieving, I would also hope that you keep writing about those interesting little characters with whom you share your life...or refinishing furniture...whatever moves you.
I'm so sorry, Claire. The animals who choose to bond with us and each other have their own ways of knowing and loving... we have nothing to teach them, and often a great deal from them to learn and be grateful for. Your relationship with Suley has deepened, and you will be there for each other going forward, each in your own way. Thank you for sharing this with your friends... we all benefit from such an instance of beauty and love and mystery.
Rest in Peace little one.