| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Nov 17 2011 : 05:56:20 AM
and I am heartbroken. He fell ill on Tuesday night, but seemed to be better yesterday morning, sleeping with his fellow cat and dog friends in the kitchen, snuggled up near the stove. My husband called me around 5:00 yesterday, at work, and said, "I'm sorry, honey, Jack is gone." He was 13, and the sweetest, toughest little boy-o I've ever known. A member of two feral cat communities in our neighborhood, his tough old dad brought him to my house for meals when he was so tiny, I could fit him in the palm of my hand. Took me a month to be able to get close to him, catching sight of him at night, always about the same time, waiting patiently under the tree out front to see when I'd set the food out and run back inside, turning off the porch light so he could sneak up. After a month, I was able to sit down, still, on the porch and when he finally climbed on my lap, I snatched him up to be my inside kitty.
Godspeed, Jack Sprat. December, 1998 to November, 16, 2011. I will miss you-- your extra long whiskers, your high pitched "mew"--so unlike the tough alleycat you appeared to be, forever written on my heart from the first time I saw you, small enough to fit in the palm of my hand.
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| FieldsofThyme |
Posted - Nov 21 2011 : 09:27:13 AM
Aw, I'm so sorry. What a touching story to share with us, on how he came to be your inside kitty. Hugs!
Farmgirl #800
http://pioneerwomanatheart.blogspot.com/
http://scrapreusedandrecycledartprojects.blogspot.com/
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| Amie C. |
Posted - Nov 21 2011 : 09:22:40 AM
I'm so sorry to hear about Jack. For years after my childhood kitty died, I would wake up in the night thinking I felt her familiar weight at the foot of the bed. Maybe they do stay with us, if only as a comforting memory.
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| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Nov 21 2011 : 09:03:09 AM
Thank you all so much--this has been a tough week. Work has been trying, my resistance is low and I'm feeling not 100% and I still can't shake my feeling that Jack is still with me. But, then I wake up and know that he isn't. I have, for sure, been gathering up the remaining "children in fur coats" (I like that, Karla!) and giving them lots of love. I appreciate each and every one of you--that you know what it's like, and that we each love our animals so much really keeps me going.
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
| hoosiercountry |
Posted - Nov 21 2011 : 08:56:42 AM
Dear Jonni, I am so very sorry about the loss of your beloved Jack Sprat, and may what a looked he was. As one who also known the pain of such loss, my heart is with you. We bring them into our lives as pets, but as life would have it they become our little children in fur coats. May you take comfort in the memories of the life shared with Mr.Jack Sprat. |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Nov 18 2011 : 12:30:41 AM
Sorry to hear about your kitty. He was certainly beautiful! And lucky to have you.
Farmgirl Sister # 31
www.blueskyjeannie.blogspot.com
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
| laurentany |
Posted - Nov 17 2011 : 8:34:14 PM
Jonni,
I am so sorry to hear about Jack. I know just how you feel- losing a pet is really ,really hard! They truly are members of the family for sure.
Praying for your comfort.
Blessings,
~Laurie
"Little Hen House on the Island"
Farmgirl Sister#1403
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.. |
| YakLady |
Posted - Nov 17 2011 : 8:22:51 PM
I'm so sorry you lost your pal :( He was a gorgeous kitty for sure.
~Natalie~ Just a farmgirl in Western Montana. http://mtnme.blogspot.com
Starting a family and raising Tibetan Yaks, Nigerian Dwarf Goats, Laying hens, Muscovy ducks, and a few dogs. |
| StrawHouseRanch |
Posted - Nov 17 2011 : 6:39:46 PM
Jonni, that is just heartbreaking. All of these losses so recently are just so hard. They definitely leave pawprints on our souls. 6 of my 7 kitties are ex-ferals..I know exactly what you went through to bring Jack around..then they become velcro. Hugs!!!
Paula
Farmgirl Sister #3090
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, and Today is a Gift.
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| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Nov 17 2011 : 4:31:33 PM
I am so sorry, that happened to my last kitty as well......just up and got ill all the sudden. I am so very sorry. I know how much love we can truly have for our pets.
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| prariehawk |
Posted - Nov 17 2011 : 3:35:49 PM
I can't have any cats due to allergies, but I still miss the little kitten I fostered. So sorry about your loss but know that you gave him a good life. They DO leave pawprints on your heart.
Cindy
"Vast floods can't quench love, no matter what love did/ Rivers can't drown love, no matter where love's hid"--Sinead O'Connor
"In many ways, you don't just live in the country, it lives inside you"--Ellen Eilers
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Nov 17 2011 : 2:34:04 PM
What a strikingly handsome cat! I'm SOOOOOO VERY SORRY he's gone.
Losing a pet is so hard!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
From my Hands - www.cjscreations-ceejay.blogspot.com
the "Purple Thistle" http://www.ceejay48.etsy.com
From my Heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
Through my lens - http://ceejayscamera.shutterfly.com/
From my Hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Nov 17 2011 : 1:38:34 PM
Lorraine and Erika--thank you both so much for posting. Yes, he really did have extra long whiskers, Lorraine! They were so amazing, and so pretty. He did have a good life--and the night before, when he was feeling sick, he was lying on a blanket and my daughter, who is 2 and 1/2, decided to read her book about "Owls" to Jack because it would make him feel better. I went into the kitchen and over heard her say, "Hi Jack. I read you this story. Once a time...(which is how she starts EVERY story :) and then she babbled a bit, turning pages, because well, she can't really read. And then I peeked my head in and heard her say, "this a good story, right Jack?" He knows he was loved, and surely he knows how much he is loved still, with all these tears I've shed today. I'm an absolute mess and it's been a totally unproductive day, honestly.
Erika, I'm not sure what it is about reading material--newspapers, books, even paper bags, Jack was right on them as soon as you set it down, lay it down, what have you.
I will also miss that when the water bowl was empty, he would head-butt it into the wall repeatedly, "thump, thump, thump" until I noticed and filled it up.
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
| Apache Lady |
Posted - Nov 17 2011 : 12:33:13 PM
I'm so sorry for your loss. Our beloved pets take a piece of our hearts when they leave us, but remember, they're waiting for us on the other side of the rainbor bridge. One day we shall all be reunited with our loved ones, no matter how many legs. What is it about cats and reading material? Moms calico, Cindel, conveniently plops on anything you happen to be reading. |
| Tea Lady |
Posted - Nov 17 2011 : 12:30:52 PM
Oh Jonni - that is so sad. He was a handsome boy - and I could see his extra long whiskers in the photo. :o) I'm so sorry for your loss. But he had a good life with you and you are blessed with so many good memories. Take care...
Lorraine
(aka Tea Lady)
Farmgirl #1819
www.birdsandteas.com |
| acairnsmom |
Posted - Nov 17 2011 : 12:23:44 PM
Yes, I'm afraid it will be a sad Christmas for a lot of us farmgirls. But we will all have wonderful memories of our beloved pets in happier Christmas'. I bet Jack used to attack the wrapping paper on Christmas morning. He looks like he might have been a bit of a scallywag!
Audrey
Good boy Hobbs! I love and miss you. |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Nov 17 2011 : 12:12:08 PM
So sorry, Audrey--this will be a very tough year for your family. Santa Dog and Santa cat will still come to our house, with the 4 dogs and 1 cat we still have, but I will sure miss seeing Jack's giant green eyes under the trees, lying between the wrapped Christmas packages.
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
| acairnsmom |
Posted - Nov 17 2011 : 11:27:50 AM
(blubbering)...this will be the first time in 37 years that neither Santa Dog nor Santa Cat will be stopping by our house 
Audrey
Good boy Hobbs! I love and miss you. |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Nov 17 2011 : 10:57:19 AM
@Audrey--way too many--these last months have sure been hard on farmgirl hearts and homes.
@Kim--no doubt I would have loved your Havoc--there is just something special about those rag tag boys who leave your home and heart in shambles. My husband, even though he and Jack were never truly "friends" feels just terrible, and even made sure that he buried and him and put him under his favorite tree as I requested. I do hope Havoc is showing Jack the ropes and that they both have very full tummy's and a warm stove to sleep by.
@Bev--thank you. This Christmas will be tough for me--I even told Jack on Monday evening, "you know, Santa will be coming and that means a live tree for you, Jackaroo, to lie under and pretend you're in the wide outdoors.."
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
| Beverly Gill |
Posted - Nov 17 2011 : 10:44:48 AM
so so sorry....my cat is very old and I know the day is coming he will go to rainbow bridge to join his mother, sister, and brother....sadfor you, particularly at this time of year.
Beverly Gill
There's no place like home |
| Lieberkim |
Posted - Nov 17 2011 : 10:14:39 AM
Well you've done it. I'm now in love with your Jack! Sorry for your loss, I understand how deep they get into your heart. You would have liked my Havoc. He got the name honestly. We always joked that he not only had black fur but a black heart, blood etc. But he loved to be held like a baby in my arms. Maybe your Jack and my Havoc are bestfriends somewhere.
Your Jack is gorgeous.
Excuse the mess & the noise, my children are making happy memories |
| acairnsmom |
Posted - Nov 17 2011 : 09:56:38 AM
Oh Jonni, I am so sorry! We have had far too many of our furry friends leave us lately. Jack looked like a beautiful kitty. I know you will miss him greatly. I know what you mean about picking up only one bowl for dinner. When my Hobbs passed I had a real hard time fixing dinner for DH and me and not getting Hobbs' bowl out to fill. Their passing leaves huge, gaping holes in our lives that take a long time to fill.
Audrey
Good boy Hobbs! I love and miss you. |
| melody |
Posted - Nov 17 2011 : 09:33:59 AM
Oh Jonni....That made me cry. Take care dear friend.
Melody
Farmgirl #525 |
| one_dog_per_acre |
Posted - Nov 17 2011 : 09:32:10 AM
So sorry, Jonni.
“It always looks darkest just before it gets totally black.”-Charlie Brown |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Nov 17 2011 : 09:01:29 AM
It sure is, Margaret--it was so awkward picking up the two bowls this morning and then remembering that I only needed one. Made me a little late to work because I needed to get a hold of myself!
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
| MEWolf |
Posted - Nov 17 2011 : 08:37:25 AM
Oh Jonni, I am so very sorry for your loss. The loss of a beloved pet is very hard. **Hugs**
Margaret
“Kind hearts are the gardens, kind thoughts are the roots, kind words are the flowers, kind deeds are the fruits. Take care of your garden and keep out the weeds, fill it with sunshine, kind words and kind deeds.” ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1808-1882)
Farmgirl #3020
www.grey-wolf-farm.com |
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