There is no way I can do justice to how I truly feel about losing our cat of eighteen years and a bunch of months and going on nineteen years. When we moved back to Summerville, South Carolina, in 1993 from Oxford, England, we got her from the SPCA.
She was there through it all–three places to live, the children going from 4, 2 and not yet 1 to where they are now, my living through three rectors in three years in one parish (and living to talk about it), Elizabeth going back to graduate school at MUSC, her graduation, all three secondary school graduations, and all the current twists, turns and travails of the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Communion, and the diocese of South Carolina.
So many things changed, but except for our faith and our family, she was the only constant, friendly, joyful, content, present, glad to be alive and part of it all. The world is a sadder place because she is gone, but we are all the better from having been given God’s gift of Sprightly–KSH.
I empathize. Cats have a way of securing a hold on the affections, despite their generally reserved nature.
And they can be good listeners.
It is very difficult losing a member of the family. Please accept my heartfelt condolence on the loss of your loved one.
Cats have a way of keeping one centered in this crazy world. And they do leave a void when they pass on. Condolences to you and your family.
Condolences to Kendall and all.
I’m so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful cat! Her long, long life is a testimony to the love and care she received from your family.
I am sorry for your loss.
Thanks be to God for the gift of Sprightly!
My condolences to you Kendall. The December day I lost my black and white cat, Chloe, capping off the terrible year of 2004, was very black for me. I couldn’t stay in the house for a while — every place in it was a place of some Chloe-ritual, and it hurt to see those places and not see her in them.
And for years, after Charmer’s death, I would drive into the yard and my heart would imagine him sitting there, waiting on me, out front.
I’m sure Sprightly established those “rituals of place” as well.
Their presence during so many of life’s adventures through the years, means that their passing marks “the end of an era” in our lives. It’s like the turning of a page to another chapter, and it hurts.
I know there are many tears in the Harmon household today.
I am glad you were given such a treasure, and for so long a time. We’re not worthy of our animals, but God is generous and good to us and sends the right ones at the right time. He blessed you and your family with Sprightly and I’m glad.
God’s peace to you and yours.
Three years ago next month, we lost our 14 year old long haired silver tabby named Samantha……Sammy, as we called her…….and I’ve never forgotten her. She was a two-person cat, and she loved to jump up and sit on my lap and then sleep on my shoulder……more often than not as I was in my den, sitting and reading in my lounger. I think of her all of the time, and the memories are wonderful. I can’t feel your loss, Kendall+, but I do know what it’s like to lose such a member of the family, and you have my condolences beyond measure.
Oh, so sad. I am so sorry for your loss, Kendall. I lost my two rescue cats (I called them “the Orange Brothers”, Marmalade and Truade) last year – Marmy died shortly after their 14th birthday, and Tru hung on six months longer. They had very sweet purrsonalities, as I am sure Sprightly did. Before that, our 12 year old Zoe, a Cornish Rex, died of myasthenia gravis. She was crazy and a real lap-warmer.
Three years ago we were “adopted” by a young cat who came to our back door. She informed us that the “Welcome” mat meant *her*. We named her Faith, because our daughter had faith that her daddy would let her have another cat. Since then, a black and white female we’ve named Luna (can you guess the time of day she showed up?) also insisted on adoption. Surely cats are among God’s favorites, for He blesses them with such magnificent style. Little Kliban “meat loafs” all of them.
So sorry to hear this. Losing a pet is losing a loved member of the family. I have lost two dogs over the years and I still morn the loss. My prayers are with you.
All I can tell you is that Juliet, our older cat, died last night as well. Feelin’ what you are. So sorry!
Sorry to hear of your loss, been though it many times with furry family members. It doesn’t get any easier.
Having to put down our shy friend of 13 years, Gilbert, in a few hours due to kidney failure. Such a gentle kitty. Humble to have been entrusted with his care these past years…
I’m so sorry! Animals are the best friends and companions. It’s such a pity they don’t live longer! May the happy memories of Sprightly (LOVE the name!) push aside the gloom of grief and bring many smiles upon her remembrance.
I’m sorry for your loss Kendall. One of our dogs has cancer and has been given anywhere from four months to a year to live. It is really a crushing blow because as you point out, our pets are our constant, loyal, and loving companions through so many trials, tribulations, sadnesses and joys. It is very hard to lose them. My condolences to you.
An 18 year old family cat with attitude, but much loved, also passed away within the last two weeks. Much sympathy with your loss.
Are there cats in heaven do you suppose?
I think there are definitely cats in heaven. 🙂
We are so sorry for you loss; prayers and thanks to God for Sprightly.
Empathy abounds–the first four cats of our marriage are with Jesus, too; amongst them “Harry”, the sweetest brown tabby to have ever walked the Earth; proving he didn’t want to leave us by living to be 20. His loss was a horrible day and we still look for him around the house.
But, we are blessed with seven new lives here, of various and sundry ages, plus the hounds(2) and the two-legged offspring as well.
RIP Sprightly–I’m sure she’s warming God’s lap right now. 🙂
“Never another pet for me ! Let your place all vacant be !”
From a poem by Thomas Hardy, on the loss of one of his cats.
Of course there animals in heaven! If the lion shall lie down with the lamb, then surely our cats will lie down in our laps and out dogs lie down at out feet. 🙂 Condolences for your loss, and it brings back memories of some special felines that have graced my life over the years as well.
I’m so sorry you lost your friend. But I’m convinced there’s a heaven for animals. When we lost our 18+ year old cat (Caterpillar…our baby butterfly) to heart trouble a few years ago a kind friend sent us a children’s book by Cynthia Rylant called “Cat Heaven”. It really did help…along with the shelter kitten (Firefly…our little light in darkness) we very quickly adopted.
My condolences to you and your family. Nearly two years ago we lost Zoe, and now Merlin is showing his age (18). As we have no human children, they do contribute to our sense of family; and their going is deeply felt. May you come to know God’s comfort in due time.
“My brothers and sisters I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog [or cat] to tear.”
Rudyard Kipling
Deepest condolences.
I’m so sorry about the loss of your beloved kitty, Sprightly — the loss of cherished pets seems to touch us in ways that nothing else does.
Today I’m thanking and praising God for his tender mercy in giving you and your family such a beautiful companion. Thank you for telling of your loss so we can all heap prayers of comfort on you and yours.
I am very sorry for the loss of your cat. They are truly family. God’s blessings on you and your family.
So sorry to hear about the Harmon kitty- they truly can become excellent friends. Sometimes, it seems a sad thing that their life spans are not as long as ours.
Folks who are not priveleged to have a pet as a member of the family are deprived in their life, as I understand it. I am very sorry for your family’s loss, brother. Know that, since Jesus came to die for “the world” (John 3:16) that world surely includes the animals, in some way or another. Peace to you.
I’m so sorry for your loss. The death of a pet is such a sad time. Your comment on Sprightly being a constant through life’s highs and lows really hit home with me as I’ve had that thought many times in the two plus years since I had to put our canine companion of 14 years to sleep. As Sarah noted above, we are not worthy of our animals, but thanks be to God that in His infinite wisdom He lets them befriend us.
God’s peace & blessings.
May your family draw much comfort from your memories of your beloved friend Sprightly.
Our cats and dogs have been valued members of our family. Our most recently deceased cat and dog sleep in the back garden, each with a winter-blooming daphne planted above. The sweetness of the flowers every year reminds us of the faithful love of these beloved animals.
“And how … but hullo! What are all these animals? A cat — two cats — dozens of cats. And all these dogs … why, I can’t count them. And the birds. And the horses.”
“They are her beasts.”
“Did she keep a sort of zoo? I mean, this is a bit too much.”
“Every beast and bird that came near her had its place in her love. In her they became themselves. And now the abundance of life she has in Christ from the Father flows over from her into them.”
I looked at my Teacher in amazement.
“Yes,” he said. “It is like when you throw a stone into a pool, and the concentric waves spread out further and further. Who knows where it will end? Redeemed humanity is still young, it has hardly come to its full strength. But already there is joy enough in the little finger of such a great saint as yonder lady to waken all the dead things of the universe into life.”
— C.S. Lewis, “The Great Divorce.”