Something good is gone
I remember the moment we drove to pick her up, chasing her through the brush of the old florist's garden (whom my mum used to account for) until we caught her, bundled her up and took her home, much amused that she looked like a furry gremlin. Not a mogwai, a gremlin. Half Siamese, she had the most amazingly silky fur, reversible...stroking one way and it would be charcoaly, stroking the other and it would be light grey. She was a lithe, sleek flash of black in the garden. My complete opposite I suppose.
She shared my growing pains, my disasters and successes, watched as I went off to university and then as I packed my suitcases for Japan. She was never a cat. I realise how ridiculous this seems, but she just wasn't. She was more than one of the family, she was the little sis I didn't have. Rheebie always shunned catfood for the crunchy munch of those cat biscuit things. Shake the box and she would come hurtling at cheetah-like speed from wherever she was. She was spoilt and demanding, but then again so am I (maybe not so much spoilt).
The greatest part of her life was spent battling my brother whom she shared a rivalry that would be worthy of a James Bond film. As he locked her outside his bedroom window in the cold, threw her off his bed and chased her out of his always overly hot room, she silently plotted. And attempted murder. It is true, she was deliciously evil (the best kind of animals). Once he woke up with her lying across his face attempting silent assassination, many other times she lay stretched out on the stairs, ready to trip him up. He will miss her too I know.
And I am hating myself. I got to say goodbye, but damn it that is not good enough. I should have gotten to see her one more time, should have been able to travel back to England. I am sorry Rhea, sometimes I am ridiculously selfish. The greatest thing I can say is that you should forget dogs...cats are mans best friend. They are clean and independent and speak our language. They curl up into convenient balls of fur that fit just about anywhere. She was just about my most loved thing in the whole world. No, she was. She would have hated Japan, so I don't feel bad that she is not here. Sleep well Rhea.
As I grow old, I like less and less all the things I have to leave behind.
Doesn’t seem silly at all, Ki. Cats are the best, and it seems like Rhea was the perfect example of why. xx xx
Rhod - 05 11 06 - 02:32
Oh, babe, this news makes me cry. My cat also died while I was abroad and I remember how the feelings of guilt at not being there at the end somehow made the whole thing much worse. (Ridiculous, really, since as long as they are warm, fed and petted, I don’t think cats really care who is around to provide those things.) Rhea had an extraordinarily long life with lots of love – no cat would ask for anything more. Still feels horrible to say goodbye though, especially at a distance, and I’m really sad for you.
Kate (Email) (URL) - 05 11 06 - 10:04
Thanks Kate. Maybe it isn’t so strange being attached as she is not much younger than my brother and I am quite attached to him. She is lucky to have been well loved and lived a long life of luxury. Makes me think that Rhod will have to suffer with having a pet cat when we are settled.
Always keeping one eye on your blog and checking what you are up to. Especially interested in how you are coping with being back in England. Am getting nervous that I will die of cultural shock. Anyways, will be waiting with breath held for an updated Elfparts.
Ki (Email) - 05 11 06 - 13:09
Beautiful girl and what a fantastic age, she must have had a lot of telegrams from the Queen.
I’ve given her Wookiee’s telephone number and he’s going to take her under his furry wing and show her around xxxxx
Emily (Email) (URL) - 05 11 06 - 22:22
Ah, I’m sorry to hear that Ki; very sad news. It does at least sound as though it was as painsless and easy as these things can be, but that doesn’t make it much easier for you, and I’m really sorry nonetheless.
Love from both me and Ali x
Rocko (Email) - 07 11 06 - 10:23
Thanks Ben, Em, Rocko and Al. The messages were very sweet and I appreciate them very much. Am sure Rhea would appreciate them too.
I miss having a cat. Maybe after the move to England, we will see about getting one. Big responsibility though.
Ki (Email) - 07 11 06 - 12:43
Aw hon, that’s so sad and has brought tears to my eyes. I agree cats are the best (but don’t let Jason know as he’s definitely a dog person!) I remember being very upset when Humbug, my first cat died – there was a far bigger than cat-sized hole in our family when that happened – and all cats have such individual personalities. Big hugs xxx
Louisa (Email) - 08 11 06 - 13:47
Louisa! I am going to email you right after I exercise my portly body. How come time goes so slowly at work, and then I get home and everything speeds up. Ahhhh. Mail you soon, have not forgotten about you. When are they going to invent teleporters?
Ki (Email) - 09 11 06 - 08:32
