Lots Of People Will Unsubscribe As A Result Of This, Solely Because It's My Second Post In Consecutive Days, But The Fact Is My Cat Died And I Needed To Write About It
Lots Of People Will Unsubscribe As A Result Of This, Solely Because It's My Second Post In Consecutive Days, But The Fact Is My Cat Died And I Needed To Write About It
Back when I lived on the Norfolk-Suffolk border, a little over a decade ago, there was a running joke amongst people who knew me that my house was a kind of after-hours youth club for cats.
Only a stone-hearted misanthrope who has never bonded with a dog or cat would unsubscribe over this post. I've never had a cat, due to being quite allergic to them, but I've yet to meet a dog I didn't like. The lifespan of these creatures is inversely proportionate to the joy they bring to our lives. I hope that sharing your grief brings you some comfort, even as it sparks fond memories of our own furry friends that we've lost.
Jim said it perfectly, the thoughts in our head. And I'm so sorry for your loss, may you feel everyone's support and love for your George and your grief. ❤️
Tom: You are the only writer I know ( beside the late Doris Lessing) who is capable of writing rationally about human/cat relations and still make me blubber into my coffee. Of course you know the quote from Sylvia Townsend Warner: Cats admit us to their Godless hedonistic Eden, and when they die we are cast out of it.
As a fellow middle aged cat human who has acutely felt their loss throughout my adult life - I am so very sorry for your loss Tom, this is a gorgeously written piece however to commemorate George and his friends 😿
"Cats tell you a lot about time, about its preciousness, about its hard facts. Cats tell you that summer 2021 isn’t summer 2022, like you’d thought. You live with cats all your life and eventually can’t help but begin to measure your life in cats. Those measurements can be sobering."
I relate to this so much. They have a way of making us value each moment, or, at least, understand that time melts through our fingers must faster than we expect. I lost my queen this January and have a senior that is sick for a year now. It's hard. Much harder than I expected (and I already expected to be hard, but was not ready for the incredibly big hole they leave behind).
I thought my diabetic sick cat would go long before my 2 year old Chester as well. It's so hard. Sending hugs and good vibes your way. Love and much light to you.
We’re getting elderly and worry about adopting another cat. He or she might outlive us and not be cared for like we would have. They leave a huge hole in our heart.
I understand that so well! I have done the math too, and my next kittens (if I have them) will be the last ones I'll be able to have — age wise. It's rough to have to think like that, though.
I lost my huge black cat and well known neighborhood personality Tiger (all black, he came with that name) last fall. Now we are overrun with small rodents and little birds flutter about the deck...but mostly my lap is cold. Thanks for your cat homage.
Sorry for your loss, I lost one of my oldest cats a few weeks ago , it hurts . I comfort myself by knowing she had a great life , was loved and adored and I believe she is out there in the mystic climbing trees and getting stuck waiting for us to get her down. Puddy tat we called her , born in a shed and arrived at our home full of confidence and naughtiness that we just adored . what a blessing she was and what a blessing George was too.
Oh wow! I have a Puddy tat who was a half-grown street cat when she walked into my shop, head butted my thigh and stole my heart. She is 13 now and keeps little Lina (2) in line
My deepest condolences, Tom. Thank you for sharing this beautifully written tribute to George who was so dearly loved by you and your parents. Lucky George to have such a caring family who treasure cats for the incredible beings they are and for the joy they bring into our lives. Your ode is a celebration of cats everywhere.
Also, Tom, is that what you've found? That posting daily or several times a week on Substack is counter-productive? I've been wondering what the best cadence is... if you have any thoughts on this, I welcome them!
Oh Tom. Condolences to you and your parents on this loss. It's so hard, so heart-wrenching...I know, I know. I remember fondly your stories and status updates about George. What a beautiful tribute to him you've written. All of you take good care.
Deepest condolences on the passing of George. My life has also been measured in cats, many of them marmalades. Your George reminds me of our Sam, who shouted his name incessantly from a cage at the RSPCA until we took him home, where he expressed his gratitude by eradicating the feral rabbit population. Once we looked up from the kitchen window to see him casually batting at a five foot long brown snake. My daughter rang the vet so they’d be prepared with the correct anti-venene , I squirted both Sam and snake with the hose in order to separate the two without being bitten myself and then scooped him into the car for a record-breaking trip to the next village and the vet. Fortunately the speed limit on the road was still 100km/hr (and I used it to the full) otherwise the speeding fines would have added to the already not-inconsiderable vet bill. Sam survived that adventure to take on the fostering of Mrs Puh (properly named Willow), who in her kitten hood travelled the farm by hanging under Sam’s neck with all four paws like a small possum while he went about his business. Little did we realise he was grooming her to become his personal bath attendant. Had they been humans their relationship would have been totally unacceptable. Both have left us now for the spirit world, and are sorely missed, but there are presently five cats in residence, some of whom overlapped with both , so we are well cared for. Thank you for your splendid writing, that can make me giggle even when the subject is sad (yes, that sounds weird but I cannot think of another way to put it).
This was so beautiful to read - gimme all the irreverence amongst the grief. My dachshund is emerging from a near miss with death this week and so many of these themes are on my mind too (she is small and can sometimes be described as a cat-dog, behaviourally, so it definitely counts). A hearty 🫡 to George, and to you as you find your way through this new reality.
So sorry to hear about the loss of George, he sounded a wonderful chap, and it's always hard to lose a family member, furry or not. I wouldn't dream of unsubscribing, it was your cat books that lead me to your more recent work. Sending hugs to you and your parents.
I'm so sorry that George has left that hurting place in your chest Tom.
I certainly won't be unsubscribing, in fact as I said in my reply to your note yesterday, a paid subscription is within touching distance, and would have already happened if my car battery had not so ungracefully died on Monday.
I love reading about your cats, especially as I can read my life in the cats that have woven their lives through mine as well. I also have a large soft spot for the gingers.
Only a stone-hearted misanthrope who has never bonded with a dog or cat would unsubscribe over this post. I've never had a cat, due to being quite allergic to them, but I've yet to meet a dog I didn't like. The lifespan of these creatures is inversely proportionate to the joy they bring to our lives. I hope that sharing your grief brings you some comfort, even as it sparks fond memories of our own furry friends that we've lost.
This. No point my trying to say it any differently (certainly couldn’t put it better). The holes our cats leave in our lives are painful.
But that pain is worth the joy of sharing your life with them.
Jim said it perfectly, the thoughts in our head. And I'm so sorry for your loss, may you feel everyone's support and love for your George and your grief. ❤️
What Jim said. So sorry. May George's memory be a blessing.
Deepest condolences, Tom, on the passing of a splendid bloke. The way I see it, you gave George not one but two lovely homes where he was loved.
I love that, that George had two loving homes 💕🐾
Tom: You are the only writer I know ( beside the late Doris Lessing) who is capable of writing rationally about human/cat relations and still make me blubber into my coffee. Of course you know the quote from Sylvia Townsend Warner: Cats admit us to their Godless hedonistic Eden, and when they die we are cast out of it.
I had never read that quote before it really struck home.
And Paul Gallico
Doreen Tovey could do it, too.
Could not agree more, brilliant quote Russell!
As a fellow middle aged cat human who has acutely felt their loss throughout my adult life - I am so very sorry for your loss Tom, this is a gorgeously written piece however to commemorate George and his friends 😿
"Cats tell you a lot about time, about its preciousness, about its hard facts. Cats tell you that summer 2021 isn’t summer 2022, like you’d thought. You live with cats all your life and eventually can’t help but begin to measure your life in cats. Those measurements can be sobering."
I relate to this so much. They have a way of making us value each moment, or, at least, understand that time melts through our fingers must faster than we expect. I lost my queen this January and have a senior that is sick for a year now. It's hard. Much harder than I expected (and I already expected to be hard, but was not ready for the incredibly big hole they leave behind).
Thank you for sharing 🤍
I thought my diabetic sick cat would go long before my 2 year old Chester as well. It's so hard. Sending hugs and good vibes your way. Love and much light to you.
It’s always hard but when it is unexpected it hurts for longer I think. Hug and love for you too 🤍
We’re getting elderly and worry about adopting another cat. He or she might outlive us and not be cared for like we would have. They leave a huge hole in our heart.
I understand that so well! I have done the math too, and my next kittens (if I have them) will be the last ones I'll be able to have — age wise. It's rough to have to think like that, though.
You picked out the quote I loved. We welcomed our stray female 18 years ago and had to put her down two years ago.
I lost my huge black cat and well known neighborhood personality Tiger (all black, he came with that name) last fall. Now we are overrun with small rodents and little birds flutter about the deck...but mostly my lap is cold. Thanks for your cat homage.
That’s a beautiful piece of writing. As a cat lover and owner, I feel your pain. Thanks for sharing. 🐈
Sorry for your loss, I lost one of my oldest cats a few weeks ago , it hurts . I comfort myself by knowing she had a great life , was loved and adored and I believe she is out there in the mystic climbing trees and getting stuck waiting for us to get her down. Puddy tat we called her , born in a shed and arrived at our home full of confidence and naughtiness that we just adored . what a blessing she was and what a blessing George was too.
Oh wow! I have a Puddy tat who was a half-grown street cat when she walked into my shop, head butted my thigh and stole my heart. She is 13 now and keeps little Lina (2) in line
That was my cat's name, Puddy...but I called her Pudds for short.
My deepest condolences, Tom. Thank you for sharing this beautifully written tribute to George who was so dearly loved by you and your parents. Lucky George to have such a caring family who treasure cats for the incredible beings they are and for the joy they bring into our lives. Your ode is a celebration of cats everywhere.
I love this. Your humor and attention to the most wonderful, specific details, always charms me.
Also, Tom, is that what you've found? That posting daily or several times a week on Substack is counter-productive? I've been wondering what the best cadence is... if you have any thoughts on this, I welcome them!
This piece could turn me into a cat person, which I most decidedly am not. Sincere condolences on your loss. Pets are people too, only better.
Oh Tom. Condolences to you and your parents on this loss. It's so hard, so heart-wrenching...I know, I know. I remember fondly your stories and status updates about George. What a beautiful tribute to him you've written. All of you take good care.
Deepest condolences on the passing of George. My life has also been measured in cats, many of them marmalades. Your George reminds me of our Sam, who shouted his name incessantly from a cage at the RSPCA until we took him home, where he expressed his gratitude by eradicating the feral rabbit population. Once we looked up from the kitchen window to see him casually batting at a five foot long brown snake. My daughter rang the vet so they’d be prepared with the correct anti-venene , I squirted both Sam and snake with the hose in order to separate the two without being bitten myself and then scooped him into the car for a record-breaking trip to the next village and the vet. Fortunately the speed limit on the road was still 100km/hr (and I used it to the full) otherwise the speeding fines would have added to the already not-inconsiderable vet bill. Sam survived that adventure to take on the fostering of Mrs Puh (properly named Willow), who in her kitten hood travelled the farm by hanging under Sam’s neck with all four paws like a small possum while he went about his business. Little did we realise he was grooming her to become his personal bath attendant. Had they been humans their relationship would have been totally unacceptable. Both have left us now for the spirit world, and are sorely missed, but there are presently five cats in residence, some of whom overlapped with both , so we are well cared for. Thank you for your splendid writing, that can make me giggle even when the subject is sad (yes, that sounds weird but I cannot think of another way to put it).
This was so beautiful to read - gimme all the irreverence amongst the grief. My dachshund is emerging from a near miss with death this week and so many of these themes are on my mind too (she is small and can sometimes be described as a cat-dog, behaviourally, so it definitely counts). A hearty 🫡 to George, and to you as you find your way through this new reality.
So sorry to hear about the loss of George, he sounded a wonderful chap, and it's always hard to lose a family member, furry or not. I wouldn't dream of unsubscribing, it was your cat books that lead me to your more recent work. Sending hugs to you and your parents.
I'm so sorry that George has left that hurting place in your chest Tom.
I certainly won't be unsubscribing, in fact as I said in my reply to your note yesterday, a paid subscription is within touching distance, and would have already happened if my car battery had not so ungracefully died on Monday.
I love reading about your cats, especially as I can read my life in the cats that have woven their lives through mine as well. I also have a large soft spot for the gingers.