In Memoriam to Percy, My Boy

There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life, music and cats… Albert Schweitzer

What exactly happened the other day to break my heart and the pace of my life forever? What message was the universe trying to send?

I lost my Percy, my little boy, a tabby cat for others. How is it possible that a healthy happy cat in a heartbeat suffers a thrombosis that paralyzes his back legs in horrible pain, driven to the vet and within minutes is opiated and dying with my last words of thanks for being Percy?

He was buried yesterday by a big tree on a sunny hillside outside that he loved so much. His memory lives on and perhaps some wisdom about life in general. Why is there grief at the passing of an ordinary cat … get another one. But it’s not that easy because what he represented cannot be replaced for me and many others.

He was my first direct encounter with nature … eye to eye, paw on hand, a large furry body breathing on my lap. There was no pretense or conditions of who he was, no need to comprehend just be comforted petting his head, rubbing his belly, bright reflective eyes clear marble hues, sensitive spray of long whiskers, kneading and grooming, feeding regularly with tasty treats, waiting with wide-eyed patience and quiet appreciation .

…protecting his territory

He was a handsome boy, brindled grey with dark brownish tiger stripes marking his body like a target sign on the side, amber highlights with soft tawny underbelly and loose pouch for protection. His fur was short-haired, silky like a mink with regular bristle brushing for which he’d jump on my lap. Even though neutered, he would spray corners of the property, ready to accept passing cats at the distance but ready to fight if challenged. Two previous vet trips dealt with his infections and scars and once to remove a couple erupted teeth. He allowed a kitten to play with his elder somber self.

His unique feature was a bobbed tail. He lost his long tail when caught in a car door trying to pull it out dislodging some of the small vertebra causing his tail to fall off after a couple…