It is finally sinking in – I am going to be cat-less for the first time in my life. On Saturday morning I will be taking my crazy cats to their awesome new home in Piket-bo-Berg, to begin a new phase in their lives living with my sister on a gorgeous farm with plenty of trees, space and fresh air. I won’t lie, much as I know I’m doing the right thing, my heart is breaking and I’m finding it so hard to imagine life without them.
They’ve been with me through some of the toughest times, and for almost three years they’ve been there when I wake up, and when I come home (regardless of the hour) and when I’ve cried myself into numbness, and when I’ve danced around the flat to Roxette. They’ve seen the assholes I’ve dated, and they’ve won everyone’s hearts, from the pizza dudes to friends and family. They’ve made me angry, and scared, and sad. And they’ve made me laugh. I’ve seen them grow from tiny little fur-balls taken far too early, to the beautiful grown up cats they are today. They may be special needs cats, and they may not be perfect, but they’ve always been MY cats… and they’ve always been there. Always.
I don’t even know what to say anymore, other than that I’m glad I got to share my little messed up home with these boys, and that I know in my heart of hearts that they will be happier in the long run. It’s been quite a journey, and living completely alone is going to very hard.
I’m feeling a bit tender at the moment, and it’s hard to express all my thoughts into anything that makes sense. I’ve had a lot of loss in my life, and it’s never easy, but losing these cats has somehow taken the wind out of my sails a bit.
And so, instead of moping, I’m going to share some of my favourite Sonic and Tiger moments in pictures…
The Beginning
It all started when my sister’s ex (who knew we were thinking of kittens) rocked up at her work with a P’nP green bag full of kittens. At just over 5 weeks they were way too small, but totally chilled. My mom took one, and my sister and I took the other two. This picture was taken the day they arrived, and totally captures their characters.
The Allure of Foreign Objects
Taken sometime last year, this was their first encounter with an umbrella. It was met with much interest and speculation, as were my boxing gloves, any visitors handbag, anything left on the coffee table and anything important on my bedside table.
Tiger’s Flower Obsession
I don’t get fresh flowers all that often, so it took me a while to catch on, but Tiger has a passion for flowers. The first few times we found it cute and appealing, by the time this picture was taken the novelty had worn off – that vase was the only one I had, and despite that innocent look, it is very evident what happened here. Earlier this year I even caught him in the act of eating the roses, without even trying to pretend otherwise.
Complete Mommy’s Boy
Taken on my birthday last year, this is Sonic in his favourite place – on my lap. Right from the start he chose me, Tiger always preferred my sister. Since living with me, they have both been equally loved, but Sonic and I have always had a special bond.
Big Fat Tiger Tummy
There isn’t a cat alive who has a tummy better than Tiger’s. Soft, squishy and furry, I used to love lying on my bed and put my head on that tummy when I was stressed or on coffee breaks during endless 17 hour work stints during my freelance days. It is a huge source of comfort somehow, and such an important part of the Tiger personality!
Sonic the Emo Cat
Sonic has been to the vet so many times in his life that the vet and nurses all fell in love with him, and despite the fact that his last appointment was over a year ago, they still ask my mom after him anytime she goes in to get food for her cats. From the start he was the naughty one, escaping the flat at just a few weeks old, sneaking sips of our beer or whisky, learning how to jump onto pelmets, doors and anything else that was high up enough to get away from Tiger. The face kicking has gone on most of his life, and while I live in hope that he might stop on the farm, the vet reckons it’s largely behavioral. He’s still beautiful though, with the most expressive face and the naughtiest nature.
So many memories, so many experiences and dramas and phases. It’s going to be an interesting month, and when this sadness passes, it will be quite a novelty to have zero liabilities!
But right now, there are still three more sleeps before my babies depart for their new life. I’m going to make the most of every moment!
Thanks Po – I feel awful for abandoning them to have a burden-free life, I guess I keep trying to tell myself how happy they’ll be (and I know they will be!) but at the same time when they look at me all trusting I feel pretty shitty!
Kinda crazy how attached we gets to pets hey! Oh well, the boy has been great at least, makes it a lot easier to manage.
Ah Rox I nearly cried reading your post! I know how special those cats are to you, and i’m sure you’re dreading Saturday! It must be so hard chick, you’ve done such a good job raising those two…so now that they are teenages, like any mother knows, it’s time to set them free! Awwww….
Aw Ilks, that’s such a nice way of seeing it.. I like that idea a lot. Maybe this is how empty nest syndrome feels – coming home tonight my flat was deathly quiet, and somehow devoid of all the chaotic warmth it had when my babies and their huge characters filled all the silences.
They are settling in there nicely though, safely ensconced in the bathroom and were chilling on the windowsill checking out all the sights when I left. In a few days they will meet my sister’s other cats, and then the dogs, and then they will also start going outside. When I go back and visit at the end of the month, they’ll be climbing trees and bounding through the meadows like the rest of the cats there… I’m focusing on that right now.