Monday, January 16, 2012

I Miss You, Sweet Boy

Almost 19 years ago, Herne was born - conveniently on my friend Merry's birthday who'd taken in Herne's very pregnant mama. He was the runt of a litter of five - and by far the prettiest of the bunch, though I'm guessing Mer would disagree since she kept his brother Casey.

When he was a kitten we called him Circus Cat. He'd do amazing midair flips when we'd play with him with ribbons and other toys. He played fetch with puff balls and he'd go to the basement every night and drag three or four dirty socks from the laundry bin, all the way up two flights of stairs to lay them at the foot of our bed. He was so tiny that the socks were bigger than he was. He earned the nickname Herne the Hunter for that. We also called him Bunny Boy because he had fur as soft as any rabbit.

Herne has always been a mama's boy. He snuggles with me no matter where I am and especially likes to help me write by laying on my keyboard or my arms or my chest while I'm trying to work, contentedly purring the whole time.

Over the last couple years, he's been sleepier and weaker. He's gone deaf and blind. He navigates the house using the perimeter of the room and what we affectionately refer to as Kitty Sonar. It involves Herne yowling loudly as he wanders around. He'd always make himself known to whoever was on the phone with me, meowing loudly into the mouthpiece. It's an obnoxious sound, but it's one I'm going to miss.

Herne had a stroke today. One minute he was sleeping by me on the couch and the next he was spinning in horrifyingly endless circles, stopping only when the right side of his body would give way. Then, he'd claw to his feet and repeat motions looking more and more confused.

I held him and he snuggled into me and purred, but when he got restless, the same cycle would start again. They boys and I took turns keeping him calm until Matt got home and we took him to the vet.

We ended up having to put him down tonight. I miss him so much already.













15 comments:

Marianne Strnad said...

I'm so very sorry Bronwyn! What a lovely creature he was and you gave him such a wonderful life. I hope time hearts your heart. Sending you many virtual hugs!

Jason said...

Oh, I am so sorry, sweety. :( I am sending you tons of virtual hugs and smooches.

Anonymous said...

oh i am so very very sorry. Herne was so much fun and had the sweetest face I have ever seen. My heart and love to you in your pain and sadness.

Kim

Kris Norris said...

Words can't say what I feel. Herne was one of the lucky ones to have you as his mom...

Godspeed Herne.

Margaret Yang said...

I am so sorry for your loss. Herne was a wonderful cat and a wonderful kitteh for *you.* I'm glad you got to spend those years together.

Mia Watts said...

I can still hear the phone yowl. Calling you isn't going to be the same. Herne used to be so shy when I came over, but he warmed up right away. Especially if I brought over take out. THEN he was the most persistent best friend EVAR. So sweet, so hilariously loud, and Herne with his baby doll couldn't have been sweeter.

You were a wonderful mama to that boy, Bron. He was very well loved by you, and admittedly my favorite of your furry kids.

I'm going to miss him. My heart and hugs go to you and your family. Please know my girls and I are here if you need anything. <3

molli said...

I"m so very sorry Bronwyn. Its never easy to lose a furry member of the family.

Donna said...

Hugs to everyone at your house.

Love,
Donna

Chris said...

*BIG HUGS*

I am glad that you had so many great years together.

Molly Daniels said...

(((((((HUGZ)))))))))))))

I'm so sorry for your loss, Bron. He was a special member of your family and I'm glad I got to 'know' him through your blog and pictures.

Jenny Trout said...

I will miss his creepy, big-eyed stare. He was such a very cute cat.

Simone Anderson said...

((((((((Hugs))))))))

I'm so sorry for your loss Bron. He was a sweetheart. He was as lucky to have you as a mama as you were to have him in your life.

Thoughts and prayers to you, hon.

((hugs))

barbara huffert said...

Many, many, many hugs. Here's a poem I was given years ago when I lost my first kitty.

Angel Cats

“Angel cats are just pretend
Just sorrows that will never mend”

But if I believe that, I’m untrue
To someone who loved me and you.
For I have felt my cat’s sweet weight
As she cuddles into bed so late
And heard her purrs, and felt her sigh
Mend my grief: sweet lullaby.

Faulty vision? I think not!
An angel cat, off like a shot
For that was how she ran while here:
Now plain sight, now disappear.
Angel cats are surely real
They stay in touch to help us heal
Their fur dries tears that will not dry
And as we mend, our spirits fly.

Rachel McGrath-Kerr

SusanR said...

((((hugs)))) so sorry for your loss.

Aisling Weaver said...

Oh, Bronwyn...I don't know how I missed this but I'm only just seeing your sad news. *big, big hugs*