cat - Aries RB - a Tribute

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Aries RB - a Tribute

Dearest Aries

Today is the 10th anniversary of your death, and I want to mark the
occasion with a tribute to the best companion any human could ever
have. You are never forgotten, so I'd like to share a few of those
special memories that I hold so dear.

I remember your bravery as a tiny kitten, leaving the safety your
basket, Samantha your mum & your sisters and striding fearlessly up to
me to "check me out" when I came down to call on my human neighbour,
your stepmum. How quickly you explored your new territory when I
brought you upstairs at twelve weeks old, and how soon you came to
terms with my wife and 5-year-old daughter. Not forgetting how
tolerant you were of her mauling, and stuffing you down under her
bedclothes to cuddle.

You were so brave, too, when you sprained all 4 wrists/ankles after
falling 35 feet from the windowsill. It was good of you to try & catch
those naughty pigeons nesting under the eaves, just because you knew I
hated them as they damaged the building, though I'd have forgiven you
if you hadn't tried so hard. And weren't you good at TED's - no cries,
no cringing during the examination. And no complaining during the
enforced bedrest, either.

And how wonderful you were to me when I came home after 2 weeks away
in hospital: I'll never forget how you spotted me from afar in the
passenger seat of my friend's car as he opened it to help me out and
raced over to vault past him into my lap, covering me with kisses anf
blessing me with the deepest & loudest of purrs. And how well you kept
me
company in the boring indoors during my convalescence.

And what a cuddly chap (when you felt like it)! You could spend up to
twelve hours at a time under the bedclothes nestling against my calf.
I always wondered why not my warmer tummy: I suppose it's because a
human lower leg & foot is around how cat-mom size seems to a
part-grown kitten. You liked to check out all the human visitors, too,
although the honour of settling in a lap was always reserved for me.
Even my playing loud music wouldn't send you away.

Years later, when I needed to go abroad to a seminar & couldn't find a
cat-sitter and had to put you in the cattery for 5 days, I heard you
howling for me
as I opened the car door, even though you couldn't see round to the
front of the house. I'm told that you recognised the engine note &
started wailing as I was drawing up. You wouldn't leave my side to go
outdoors for days after that!

And how considerate of you when indoors at night to learn to pee in
the washbasin so there was no need for a litter tray. And how clever
to always tell me what you'd done, too, so I could rinse up after you.

Such a wonderful car passenger too. On that first long trip to/from
Manchester, you forced your way out of your basket - there was never a
cage that could hold you - to visit each human passenger in turn, then
came onto my lap as I was driving without clawing me, put your front
paws on the steering wheel & peered through the windscreen for all the
world as though you were steering! Then settled down & curled up in my
lap to sleep.

And in those final years deep in the country, what a fine hunter you
were, and how generous with your gifts of assorted wildlife.

Then more bravery as your digestive system closed down: I'd never have
noticed from your behaviour that there was anything wrong, until the
boniness started to show through. But even as a shadow of your former
self you never complained, even when you couldn't keep down the
liquidised salmon I blended for you in your own special food
processor.

My fondest memory of all, though, is how, when your time came, you
sought me out to be with me as the diarrhoea & vomiting hit and the
spasms of your gut made you cry out at last. I'm sure you were telling
me that it was time for me to give you last gift of all, that of a
swift passing. Which I did, without waiting for TED, who on that
Saturday night could have been an hour away.

I hope you liked your resting place, under a beech sapling up on the
hill above the lake I built, round which you'd accompany me on daily
walks, letting me get well ahead so you could sprint past me to the
exit gate, looking back with a "what kept you?" expression as you beat
me to it!

I know that when my RB time comes you'll spot me from afar and be the
very first of my companions to reach me. I had another special boy
after you who's at RB now too, and there are three lovely lads with me
today, nearly adding up in total to your character, but you'll always
be my number one.

I've lit an anniversary candle for you today, and hope that other
understanding souls will do so too for us both (there are no people
more able to appreciate our special bond than on this lovely
newsgroup), and that they'll take a few moments to visit your photos
(in the "owners past & present album at the URL below) and appreciate
your grace & elegance.

I'm honoured to have been your human carer for 14 years & 8 months
All my love forever

Exocat

-
Aries & the feline family viewable at:
http://community.webshots.com/user/exocat

(PS to NG: sorry for the bandwidth but I needed to share my memories
with those I felt would best understand the poignancy of the day. I
must mop up now before the furniture all floats away)

"Exocat" wrote
Dearest Aries

snip wonderful tribute to a much-loved friend

(PS to NG: sorry for the bandwidth but I needed to share my memories
with those I felt would best understand the poignancy of the day. I
must mop up now before the furniture all floats away)

No apologies necessary. I'm crying with you. For me, though I love Nikki
dearly, Frank is that extra special friend. He's already 16 years old, and I
dread the day I'll have to say goodbye to him. We will light a candle for
Aries and purr for you.

--
Marina, Frank and Nikki
Email marina (dot) kurten (at) pp (dot) inet (dot) fi
Pics at http://uk.f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/frankiennikki

Purrs being sent your way for Aries anniversary

I am struggling to hold back the tears

Purrs

Angela and Gizmo

"Exocat" wrote in message
...
Dearest Aries

Today is the 10th anniversary of your death, and I want to mark the
occasion with a tribute to the best companion any human could ever
have. You are never forgotten, so I'd like to share a few of those
special memories that I hold so dear.

I remember your bravery as a tiny kitten, leaving the safety your
basket, Samantha your mum & your sisters and striding fearlessly up to
me to "check me out" when I came down to call on my human neighbour,
your stepmum. How quickly you explored your new territory when I
brought you upstairs at twelve weeks old, and how soon you came to
terms with my wife and 5-year-old daughter. Not forgetting how
tolerant you were of her mauling, and stuffing you down under her
bedclothes to cuddle.

You were so brave, too, when you sprained all 4 wrists/ankles after
falling 35 feet from the windowsill. It was good of you to try & catch
those naughty pigeons nesting under the eaves, just because you knew I
hated them as they damaged the building, though I'd have forgiven you
if you hadn't tried so hard. And weren't you good at TED's - no cries,
no cringing during the examination. And no complaining during the
enforced bedrest, either.

And how wonderful you were to me when I came home after 2 weeks away
in hospital: I'll never forget how you spotted me from afar in the
passenger seat of my friend's car as he opened it to help me out and
raced over to vault past him into my lap, covering me with kisses anf
blessing me with the deepest & loudest of purrs. And how well you kept
me
company in the boring indoors during my convalescence.

And what a cuddly chap (when you felt like it)! You could spend up to
twelve hours at a time under the bedclothes nestling against my calf.
I always wondered why not my warmer tummy: I suppose it's because a
human lower leg & foot is around how cat-mom size seems to a
part-grown kitten. You liked to check out all the human visitors, too,
although the honour of settling in a lap was always reserved for me.
Even my playing loud music wouldn't send you away.

Years later, when I needed to go abroad to a seminar & couldn't find a
cat-sitter and had to put you in the cattery for 5 days, I heard you
howling for me
as I opened the car door, even though you couldn't see round to the
front of the house. I'm told that you recognised the engine note &
started wailing as I was drawing up. You wouldn't leave my side to go
outdoors for days after that!

And how considerate of you when indoors at night to learn to pee in
the washbasin so there was no need for a litter tray. And how clever
to always tell me what you'd done, too, so I could rinse up after you.

Such a wonderful car passenger too. On that first long trip to/from
Manchester, you forced your way out of your basket - there was never a
cage that could hold you - to visit each human passenger in turn, then
came onto my lap as I was driving without clawing me, put your front
paws on the steering wheel & peered through the windscreen for all the
world as though you were steering! Then settled down & curled up in my
lap to sleep.

And in those final years deep in the country, what a fine hunter you
were, and how generous with your gifts of assorted wildlife.

Then more bravery as your digestive system closed down: I'd never have
noticed from your behaviour that there was anything wrong, until the
boniness started to show through. But even as a shadow of your former
self you never complained, even when you couldn't keep down the
liquidised salmon I blended for you in your own special food
processor.

My fondest memory of all, though, is how, when your time came, you
sought me out to be with me as the diarrhoea & vomiting hit and the
spasms of your gut made you cry out at last. I'm sure you were telling
me that it was time for me to give you last gift of all, that of a
swift passing. Which I did, without waiting for TED, who on that
Saturday night could have been an hour away.

I hope you liked your resting place, under a beech sapling up on the
hill above the lake I built, round which you'd accompany me on daily
walks, letting me get well ahead so you could sprint past me to the
exit gate, looking back with a "what kept you?" expression as you beat
me to it!

I know that when my RB time comes you'll spot me from afar and be the
very first of my companions to reach me. I had another special boy
after you who's at RB now too, and there are three lovely lads with me
today, nearly adding up in total to your character, but you'll always
be my number one.

I've lit an anniversary candle for you today, and hope that other
understanding souls will do so too for us both (there are no people
more able to appreciate our special bond than on this lovely
newsgroup), and that they'll take a few moments to visit your photos
(in the "owners past & present album at the URL below) and appreciate
your grace & elegance.

I'm honoured to have been your human carer for 14 years & 8 months
All my love forever

Exocat

-
Aries & the feline family viewable at:
http://community.webshots.com/user/exocat

(PS to NG: sorry for the bandwidth but I needed to share my memories
with those I felt would best understand the poignancy of the day. I
must mop up now before the furniture all floats away)

"Exocat" wrote in message
...

(PS to NG: sorry for the bandwidth but I needed to share my memories
with those I felt would best understand the poignancy of the day. I
must mop up now before the furniture all floats away)

That's a beautiful tribute, Aries and you were so lucky to have teamed up
together .... choking back the tears here, by the way ;-(

Exocat wrote:

Dearest Aries

What a beautifully written tribute to a great cat! No wonder he was
so special to you.

Joyce

That was such a beautiful and touching tribute it had me crying at work.
Aries was lucky to have you and you to have him.

--
Victor Martinez
Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM)
Send your spam he
Email me he

Load purrs coming for this lovely tribute.

On Wed, 17 Dec 2003 17:01:25 -0000, "Exocat"
wrote:

Dearest Aries

Today is the 10th anniversary of your death, and I want to mark the
occasion with a tribute to the best companion any human could ever
have. You are never forgotten, so I'd like to share a few of those
special memories that I hold so dear.

I remember your bravery as a tiny kitten, leaving the safety your
basket, Samantha your mum & your sisters and striding fearlessly up to
me to "check me out" when I came down to call on my human neighbour,
your stepmum. How quickly you explored your new territory when I
brought you upstairs at twelve weeks old, and how soon you came to
terms with my wife and 5-year-old daughter. Not forgetting how
tolerant you were of her mauling, and stuffing you down under her
bedclothes to cuddle.

You were so brave, too, when you sprained all 4 wrists/ankles after
falling 35 feet from the windowsill. It was good of you to try & catch
those naughty pigeons nesting under the eaves, just because you knew I
hated them as they damaged the building, though I'd have forgiven you
if you hadn't tried so hard. And weren't you good at TED's - no cries,
no cringing during the examination. And no complaining during the
enforced bedrest, either.

And how wonderful you were to me when I came home after 2 weeks away
in hospital: I'll never forget how you spotted me from afar in the
passenger seat of my friend's car as he opened it to help me out and
raced over to vault past him into my lap, covering me with kisses anf
blessing me with the deepest & loudest of purrs. And how well you kept
me
company in the boring indoors during my convalescence.

And what a cuddly chap (when you felt like it)! You could spend up to
twelve hours at a time under the bedclothes nestling against my calf.
I always wondered why not my warmer tummy: I suppose it's because a
human lower leg & foot is around how cat-mom size seems to a
part-grown kitten. You liked to check out all the human visitors, too,
although the honour of settling in a lap was always reserved for me.
Even my playing loud music wouldn't send you away.

Years later, when I needed to go abroad to a seminar & couldn't find a
cat-sitter and had to put you in the cattery for 5 days, I heard you
howling for me
as I opened the car door, even though you couldn't see round to the
front of the house. I'm told that you recognised the engine note &
started wailing as I was drawing up. You wouldn't leave my side to go
outdoors for days after that!

And how considerate of you when indoors at night to learn to pee in
the washbasin so there was no need for a litter tray. And how clever
to always tell me what you'd done, too, so I could rinse up after you.

Such a wonderful car passenger too. On that first long trip to/from
Manchester, you forced your way out of your basket - there was never a
cage that could hold you - to visit each human passenger in turn, then
came onto my lap as I was driving without clawing me, put your front
paws on the steering wheel & peered through the windscreen for all the
world as though you were steering! Then settled down & curled up in my
lap to sleep.

And in those final years deep in the country, what a fine hunter you
were, and how generous with your gifts of assorted wildlife.

Then more bravery as your digestive system closed down: I'd never have
noticed from your behaviour that there was anything wrong, until the
boniness started to show through. But even as a shadow of your former
self you never complained, even when you couldn't keep down the
liquidised salmon I blended for you in your own special food
processor.

My fondest memory of all, though, is how, when your time came, you
sought me out to be with me as the diarrhoea & vomiting hit and the
spasms of your gut made you cry out at last. I'm sure you were telling
me that it was time for me to give you last gift of all, that of a
swift passing. Which I did, without waiting for TED, who on that
Saturday night could have been an hour away.

I hope you liked your resting place, under a beech sapling up on the
hill above the lake I built, round which you'd accompany me on daily
walks, letting me get well ahead so you could sprint past me to the
exit gate, looking back with a "what kept you?" expression as you beat
me to it!

I know that when my RB time comes you'll spot me from afar and be the
very first of my companions to reach me. I had another special boy
after you who's at RB now too, and there are three lovely lads with me
today, nearly adding up in total to your character, but you'll always
be my number one.

I've lit an anniversary candle for you today, and hope that other
understanding souls will do so too for us both (there are no people
more able to appreciate our special bond than on this lovely
newsgroup), and that they'll take a few moments to visit your photos
(in the "owners past & present album at the URL below) and appreciate
your grace & elegance.

I'm honoured to have been your human carer for 14 years & 8 months
All my love forever

Exocat

-
Aries & the feline family viewable at:
http://community.webshots.com/user/exocat

(PS to NG: sorry for the bandwidth but I needed to share my memories
with those I felt would best understand the poignancy of the day. I
must mop up now before the furniture all floats away)

--
Steve Touchstone,
faithful servant of Sammy, Little Bit and Rocky

[remove Junk for email]
http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/index.html

Exocat wrote:
Dearest Aries

Today is the 10th anniversary of your death, and I want to mark the
occasion with a tribute to the best companion any human could ever
have. You are never forgotten, so I'd like to share a few of those
special memories that I hold so dear.

(Snipped, regrettably, for bandwidth)

Beautifully written and completely understood. Aries was an exquisite
boy (he could have been my Kirby girl's twin brother). Bless you for
remembering him so many years after his passing. But I guess none of us
ever really forgets our babies. Thanks for sharing these memories, both
lovely and sad. They don't realize how much they touch our lives, even
after they leave us.

Best,

Mary & Mookie (sending very loud purrs of understanding)

"Poignancy of the day", indeed! I, too, am "mopping up" here.....what a
touching tribute to a beloved old friend, and what a beautiful big black
fellow he was! Yes, he waits for you there, along with our loved lost
furries of years past. You have a fantastic memory.

"Mary Pelis" wrote in message
...
: Exocat wrote:
: Dearest Aries
:
: Today is the 10th anniversary of your death, and I want to mark the
: occasion with a tribute to the best companion any human could ever
: have. You are never forgotten, so I'd like to share a few of those
: special memories that I hold so dear.
:
:
: (Snipped, regrettably, for bandwidth)
:
: Beautifully written and completely understood. Aries was an exquisite
: boy (he could have been my Kirby girl's twin brother). Bless you for
: remembering him so many years after his passing. But I guess none of us
: ever really forgets our babies. Thanks for sharing these memories, both
: lovely and sad. They don't realize how much they touch our lives, even
: after they leave us.
:
: Best,
:
: Mary & Mookie (sending very loud purrs of understanding)
: