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I really wanted to write something happy this week. Something with a little holiday cheer but when I clicked on the photo prompt I was instantly overwhelmed by the cute cat and couldn’t help but think about my best friend and his family who lost their Cat Star on Tuesday night.
Star was warmth in your home but on a cold night she’d steal your heat. Even the allergic one respected her.
“Cats don’t have masters they have a staff”.
When you slept on the couch Star rode your hip, a log in a river. Eight lives used up by fights and cars. The south side bay window is where she spent her ninth life. Heart disease robbed her balance. Star went palsy climbing the stairs and had to be put down. The little one’s innocence stolen by the first shovel of dirt.
“Uncle Tommy my cat died”.
“I know James”.
“Cats don’t have masters they have a staff”. So true. I always think cats own you and generally are indifferent to you so long as you do what they want. Dogs love you and want to be with you all the time.
Janet,
I stole that line from somewhere….and I have used it many times when describing a cat.
Thanks for the comment. With a cat you are there just to give them what they need if not they will move on.
Tom
Very touching – a grief that every animal lover knows.
Thanks Sharon!
Dear Tom,
This piece made me ache.
“The little ones innocence’s stolen by the first shovel of dirt” feels a little clumsy. Maybe little one’s innocence?
Please take this in the spirit given. Again your tribute was lovely. We had to put our 18 year old cat down a couple of years ago so it was up close and personal for me.
Thank you for your kind comments on mine.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Rochelle,
I am sorry it made you ache..was it the story or the writing?
Tom
The story, Tom. The story. But you knew that. 😉
Rochelle,
Ok I did…..but it is nice to hear again.
Tom
So sad. 🙁
Stacey,
Sure is.
Tom
awwww….
I hear ya….
she sounds like she really was a Christmas star…
A great cat of 13 years.
Thanks Randy she was and I can not help but think of my cat that is getting on in years…Sad for a grown man and even worse for a child.
Tom
I really liked “Eight lives used up by fights and cars…” and “The little one’s innocence stolen by the first shovel of dirt.” The first made Star an intriguing personality (and I’m not even a cat person!) and the second was a raw kick in the gut. Your dialogue at the end was great, too.
Thanks…what can you say when a child tells you their cat is dead beside tell them you know and stand by their side.
Tom
Awwww. James, know that Star is now in Kitty Heaven … happy and playing with other kitties.
Lora,
There will be no Monday morning quarterbacks on my page….Just kidding. Uncle Tommy could have said that but he would have went over the 100 words.
Tom
“Cats don’t have masters they have a staff”. love that line.. sad story though.. i enjoyed reading it ^^
KZ,
I stole that line from somewhere…Thanks for the comments.
Tom
Nicely written. I love how we learn so much about Uncle Tommy, the family and the house, as well as the cat of course, in such a short piece.
Claire,
Thank you.
Tom
Aww, that’s sad. Hope the family come to terms with their loss. You captured that beautifully, particularly the bit about riding the hip like a log. Mine used to do that. Nicely done, great tribute.
Sandra,
I am sure they will. Time seems to do wonders..If a cat finds a place it likes all the tossing and turning are simple adjustments for it. Thanks for the kind words.
Tom
Nice remembrance. ‘Cats don’t have masters they have staff’ How True… good line!
Hell, I just read Janet’s comment. Still true.
KZ too! Well, I’m in good company, and since you stole it, you can join us, Tom. Good post!
Ted,
I think I will join you…”That’s one damn snappy line, I just love it”….Now you better be careful cause I will be stealing your lines next and you won’t be getting any credit.
Tom
sad and touching.
Thanks Jackie.
Tom, nice tribute to Star. We had to put down a kitty due to a disease she had. I still think of her and that happened years ago. Our pets have special place in our hearts. I like how you described her life, spending her last days by the window.
Amy,
Thanks. You never forget a loving pet no matter how long you that pet was in your life. Sorry to hear about your kitty.
Tom
That’s a great line. Another variation I’ve heard a lot is, “Dogs have owners, cats have staff.” Very well done, Tom. This really hit home for me. Less than a year ago my cat of almost twenty years passed away. They become a part of your family and when they depart they “steal your heat.” My son still cries over a cat he lost six years ago. You’ve captured some real emotions here.
Debra,
Perhaps over the years I changed it up a bit….My buddy and I always joke about cats having staff…Sorry to hear about your lose. Star stole our hearts. I am sure she will be in hearts and memories for years. She will be missed.
Tom
Dear Tom,
This story is right up there with the best of the litter this week. You hooked me and took me for a ride and made me sad at the end and glad that i rode along with you and Star.
Thanks for this one.
Aloha,
Doug
Doug,
Thank you Santa. That is kind of you to say.
Tom
Very good. As somebody whose name escapes me once said, “No amount of time can erase the memory of a good cat, and no amount of masking tape can ever totally remove his fur from your couch.”
Pete,
You got that right it seems like their fur will be with you long after they go. Thanks for the comments.
Tom
HI Tom,
I’m glad you did this tribute. The death of a family pet is a hard thing to endure, and I’m glad you recognized with your story how important she was in their lives. Ron
Ron,
Thank you Ron…It was hard not to do it after seeing the photo prompt. Thanks for the kind words.
Tom
Very well written.
Sad ending, though.
Abraham,
Thank you.
Tom
Tom, now you brought up all the sad memories from cats my family had when I was a kid. But then you know it was very well told.
Brudberg,
Sorry man didn’t mean to bring you down during the holidays. Thanks for the kind words.
Tom
it’s why people often don’t like cats. they’re not dependent upon us. they just wait for us to get around to them. too much like humans. well done. poor kid.
Rich,
I love cats. I love dogs and all other animals but there is something about cats that get my respect. Most people don’t understand cats because they have a hard time getting close to them. Not like dogs always under your feet. Thanks.
Tom
that’s the problem with loving an animal — they always break your heart
Bill,
Ain’t that the truth.
Tom
My heart did an awww…very well done.
Boomie,
Thank you.
Tom
Hey, this is great! Great take on the prompt and something nice. Good job, Tom! I enjoyed it.
Kent,
I am glad you enjoyed it Kent. Nice but sad.
Tom
Wow. Great story.
Thank you.
Nice tribute, Tom. And you told the tale very eloquently.
Russell,
Thank you.
Tom
“Cats don’t have a master, they have a staff” – an apt way of describing these imperial animals.
This was a sad story, more so because it’s true.
This really touched me – “The little one’s innocence stolen by the first shovel of dirt.”
Parul,
Thank you. I am glad you enjoyed my story. Thanks for the kind words.
Tom