Snowy, our 16- or 17-year-old cat, passed away today. She had begun fading about two months ago, so we knew this day was coming. Doesn’t make it easier. I’ll miss the days when I’d walk into the kitchen around noon, and yell “Scooby Snack.” The dogs would come running for their lunch. Snowy, usually hanging out at Miiko’s office at the other end of the house, would trail behind. She knew Scooby Snack meant it was lunch time, too. So she’d hop up a step ladder and onto the small kitchen counter space between our refrigerator and cupboard, her private eating place, and wait patiently to be fed.
I’ll miss the days late at night, when I’d go to bed, and she’d jump on the bed, too, and climb on my chest, and demand to be petted. So I’d pet her for a bit and when I drifted off to sleep, she’d climb off and curl up close by.
One thing about Snowy. She knew how to tell you she was pissed off. I think we had been traveling a lot at one point. And she didn’t like it, so when we returned, she peed on my trusty Eagle Creek travel backpack that had been with me forever — multiple trips through Asia. Parts of Europe. Lots of camping and rock climbing trips in the U.S. I loved that bag. I washed it three times in the washer, but her pee was so potent, I had to toss it. It took me a few years, but I think I finally got over it.
Anyway, Snowy was the original out of our zoo of five animals. She probably didn’t like it when we picked up three dogs and another cat, but she adapted. During the past week, she was immobile. But on Thanksgiving, she had this amazing moment of clarity. When we all gathered for Thanksgiving dinner, she hopped off the family room sofa, walked into the dining room and jumped on the chair next to Miiko. For one last time, Snowy wanted to hang out and have dinner with us. So we fed her turkey. Lots of it. For that brief moment, she was energetic. Everything was the same again. Everything was OK again. It was a very cool moment to have.
I’ve always considered myself a dog person. But the very fact that I’ve written this, I now realize I’m a cat person, too. Goodbye, Snow Girl.
Snowy and I never had the best relationship. Every time I would pet her she would be okay with it for a minute….and then she would flip out on me. I remember one day when she was small I was playing with her at the Revey apartment and man….she scratched the crap out of my leg. I think I kept my distance from her for a while after that. I was never really a cat person and even though we didn’t have the best relationship I still liked Snowy. She will be missed. It is always hard to lose an animal that is part of your family. RIP Snowy girl….
Kimi – your post made me laugh. Yeah, come to think of it, the first time I visited Revey, I saw her on the couch, so I started to pet her. Thought she was so cute. So gentle. And then… BAM! She attacked and tried to claw me. LOL. Miiko explains that when she was younger, she’d get overstimulated by the petting and then attack. I did notice that she calmed down in her later years though. 🙂
Wow Wylie, that was a very nice story. It brought tears to my eyes. Nice picture of her too. I will miss her, even though she was “psycho” as times. I learned to just pet her for a short while, otherwise, move my hand away very quickly when she opened her mouth to bite. I had my share of scratches too from when she was younger. That’s really great that you had a nice Thanksgiving with Snowy. I am sure she knew it was her last and she wanted to share the time with all of you and to show her love and appreciation. Goodbye, Snowy Girl.