Autumn has arrived early this year, with cooler temperatures and soft rain falling on this late August day. Oddly, the sun is shining despite the nonstop rain. Somehow, this is appropriate.
A very kind young woman vet is on her way to my house to put Sheba to sleep.
For 17 years, he has been my closest companion, and the idea that he will no longer be accompanying the adventure of my life is unbearable to me.
His unique personality, amazing green eyes and bundle of warm love have gotten me through almost two full decades, pretty much my entire adult life. He has been a constant source of joy. Every day he has been waiting for me by the door when I come home, every night he has curled up beside me (or on me, depending on his mood). He is the smartest, most adorable, most affectionate and most beautiful cat I have ever known. To say I will miss him does not even come close to the truth.
My heart is breaking, a part of me is leaving forever.
My grief is boundless.
This is the worst day of my entire life.
5 comments:
I remember that, before he had been declawed, Sheba would sometimes lie on your chest and knead the sharp blossoms of his paws in such a way that it seemed he was aware of their healing, acupuncture-like potential.
I remember that Sheba's favorite way to sit on you was to stretch himself out along the middle of your folded thighs, balancing more between them, it seemed, than on them, and drape an arm over each of your knees.
I remember that Sheba liked to sleep usually on your head or on your neck, but sometimes curled up next to you beneath the covers.
I remember Sheba pouncing on bags at four in the morning to try to wake you so you would feed him, and if that failed, sometimes knocking a pen or pencil off the bedside table.
I remember how high Sheba would sometimes jump, no matter how old he was, when playing with a dangled string.
I remember that Sheba would get so excited when you pet or brushed him for a long time that he didn't know what to do other than growl and bite you.
I remember that you had to get very close to Sheba to be able to hear his subtle purring.
I remember that Sheba was so afraid of the vacuum cleaner that he would go hide under the bed as soon as you started pulling its cord out to plug it in.
I remember giving Sheba some saucisson sec or ham for a treat, putting it in his food bowl in the kitchen, but that he always took the sausage or ham out, carried it out of the kitchen and ate it just across the threshold in the living room.
I remember Sheba sharpening his absent claws on your legs by rubbing his paws quickly, flit-flit, flit-flit, against them.
I remember Sheba lying in a sliver of spring sunlight in the window of 6 cité Thuré, and his black fur shone a deep dazzling blue and his eyes glowed golden.
I remember that if you bent down, Sheba would stand up on his hind legs and kiss you by rubbing his face against your nose.
I remember that, before he had been declawed, Sheba would sometimes lie on your chest and knead the sharp blossoms of his paws in such a way that it seemed he was aware of their healing, acupuncture-like potential.
I remember that Sheba's favorite way to sit on you was to stretch himself out along the middle of your folded thighs, balancing more between them, it seemed, than on them, and drape an arm over each of your knees.
I remember that Sheba liked to sleep usually on your head or on your neck, but sometimes curled up next to you beneath the covers.
I remember Sheba pouncing on bags at four in the morning to try to wake you so you would feed him, and if that failed, sometimes knocking a pen or pencil off the bedside table.
I remember how high Sheba would sometimes jump, no matter how old he was, when playing with a dangled string.
I remember that Sheba would get so excited when you pet or brushed him for a long time that he didn't know what to do other than growl and bite you.
I remember that you had to get very close to Sheba to be able to hear his subtle purring.
I remember that Sheba was so afraid of the vacuum cleaner that he would go hide under the bed as soon as you started pulling its cord out to plug it in.
I remember giving Sheba some saucisson sec or ham for a treat, putting it in his food bowl in the kitchen, but that he always took the sausage or ham out, carried it out of the kitchen and ate it just across the threshold in the living room.
I remember Sheba sharpening his absent claws on your legs by rubbing his paws quickly, flit-flit, flit-flit, against them.
I remember Sheba lying in a sliver of spring sunlight in the window of 6 cité Thuré, and his black fur shone a deep dazzling blue and his eyes glowed golden.
I remember that if you bent down, Sheba would stand up on his hind legs and kiss you by rubbing his face against your nose.
i am only sorry i have never met him...i truly sorry you had to endure this....please don't be lonely, love, your siser
Oh dear. This is very sad. I am so sorry for your loss.
Sheba was a righteous dude.
Big hugs and much love,
Siva, Melissa, and Jaya
Oh, Cathy, I just read this post. You expressed your feeling for Sheba so beautifully.
He will be dearly missed.
ox
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