Thursday, March 24, 2016

An Easter Remembrance

On Saturday, it will be a year since Tungsten died. I think of my orange friend all the time. I recently went through a collection of photographs I took some years ago, and found a number of Tungsten which I don’t believe I have published before. I’ll share them now in view of this melancholy anniversary, a fitting remembrance at Easter, its commemoration of death, and celebration of life.

She liked the armchair, did my Tungsten, especially before I purchased the small cat-beds. She could often be found rolled up in a corner of its cushion. But in this instance, she seemed rather alert and ready for whatever I wanted to do.


There were times when she was just too much at ease to be amused by my attempts to involve her in anything. Sometimes, humans can be more of a bother than a help, I’m sure cats think.



She spent a year and a half as my only cat. Looking back, I think she was content with that, and after the advent of the other beasts, she likely recalled her solitary state as my sole pet with fondness. Her initial relations with Josie were tumultuous, though they grew more placid. And once Renn learned his place, he and the tiny terror became friends, sort of.



Tungsten wasn’t one for playing, really, but she did have her bursts of fun. Of this toy she appeared rather possessive, at least at the time the picture was taken…


But more than playing, she liked simply lying on my lap. She has been my only real lap-cat. Though the others will spend time there, it is an intermittent thing with them. The orange one was very often there, and would curl herself around my hand; the feel of it on her tummy gave her comfort, I think.


A very light eater, she was undemanding when it came to her food-bowls. Her drinking was the opposite. She would lap water from cups but preferred a dripping tap, for which she would usually call. Below, you will note the filled cup to the right, an early attempt to combine her desire for water at the bathroom basin with my desire not to have to get up every time she was thirsty.


But Tungsten was very little trouble, and the dividends of what effort she demanded were great. She was a wonderful companion and good friend, a worthy advertisement for her species. I was told that orange females are a rarity. If so, it was truly fitting that Tungsten was orange. She was a rarity indeed.




32 comments:

  1. What a pretty orange kitteh, we wish you peace,

    Nuk

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  2. The first anniversary always seems to be the hardest; possibly because the sadness of the "last memories" are still to "fresh". We never really got to know Tungsten, thanx for sharing her story here, we enjoyed reading it ♥♥♥

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    1. I wrote a much longer memoriam article soon after her death; I could write about her for pages and pages.

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  3. Sometimes I don't know where the time goes because it only seemed like yesterday that you broke the news that Tungsten had left, we learn to live along side the loss,but we never forget. She was and remains a beautiful orange girl and only always lovingly remembered.

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  4. Tungsten was beautiful. I have a soft spot for orange cats. Our Linus was orange too. He liked to drink from a dripping tap too, the favourite one being the bathtub one. We were blessed with Linus for 19 years. I hope you had Tungsten for a long time too.

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  5. It doesn't seem like a year already. She was beautiful; thank you for sharing those wonderful photos. My two favourites are the one of her peeking over the edge of the chair and the one of her curled around your hand.

    Wishing you peace, with soft purrs from the boys.

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    1. When Tungsten got on my lap, I planned to stay like that for at least twenty minutes; I didn't want her becoming comfortable just for me to get up. Sometimes I would stay an hour, even when I had pressing things to do. It was a joy to have her with me.

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  6. The first anniversary is the worst, although I cannot truly say the ones that follow are much easier. My thoughts are with you. The photos of Tungsten are lovely.

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    1. I know you have lost, too. The wish for more time with those who are gone is always present.

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  7. Thank you so much for sharing your remembrance of Tungsten with us. Your tribute to her was absolutely beautiful. She was indeed special, and you obviously still miss her very much. I've had cats for 45 years, and when I lose one it seems that the pain never totally goes away. But I like to think that some day we will be reunited with our cats at Rainbow Bridge.
    Have a wonderful Easter, John!

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    1. I hope to see all mine again some day. Happy Easter to you, too.

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  8. Those photos really show what a strong personality Tungsten had. I fully understand why you still miss her so much. As much as we Cat People love all our beasts, there are always one or two who are "special" to us.

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  9. What a lovely post. Thank you for sharing your photos and memories of Tungsten with us. You have been so blessed to have had her as a companion. (My iPad will no longer let me comment on your blog - technology these days😟

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    1. I was blessed for knowing her.

      And it seems as though you can still comment.

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  10. What a lovely story of remembrance. Linda, Pepper, and Dublin

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  11. Such a loving post. Hugs from all of us.

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    1. Knowing that others know about Tungsten makes her memories stronger.

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  12. I agree with the others on how fast that year went. I still tear up when you post pics of her.I'm so sorry you didn't have her for long but the love you gave her during that time was wonderful. She was a beauty! Have a peaceful weekend.

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    1. I am very grateful for having my time with Tungsten.

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  13. beautiful remembrance for a beautiful kitty. I can see why she holds a special place in your heart, she was a special kitty.

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    1. She was indeed. I can still feel her soft fur.

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  14. Oh what a sweetie, and we loved that she was soothed curling up in your lap. Miss Pops will sit on mine and purr, but it usually lasts only 5 minutes.

    We also can't believe it is a year since your loss.

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    1. I would sometimes spend an hour longer than I'd intended, just sitting, reading or listening to music, because I didn't want to disturb her while she was sleeping on my lap.

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  15. It's good to see Tungsten again. Can it really be a year since she crossed. We love each and every member of our cat families but there is always one that allows us to get a little closer to them, one who seems to be a kindred spirit. There is an old saying that those who are remembered never really die. So we celebrate Tungsten's memory and the friendship you both shared. The little orange girl with the unique name lives on.
    ( My Hillie needed to be helped to the bridge on Tuesday. I miss her so. My Willie has been hospitalized since Thursday at a specialty hospital receiving round the clock care on IV fluids after eating a very small bit of highly toxic Easter Lilly leaf. )

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    1. I'm sorry to read about Hillie's departure. You had mentioned that she'd suffered a stroke and it had debilitated her. I guessed that she may have had to leave.

      I hope Willie recovers and is back with you soon. I don't like having any plants in my place, just in case. The best of luck to the boy.

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  16. purrs of comfort as you remember your beloved Tungsten.

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  17. It's hard to believe it has been a year since Tungsten passed. Of course, you've had a lot of other changes as well.

    From your posts it was truly obvious you and she shared a special bond. The photo of her curled up around your hand demonstrates it clearly.

    I send you my sympathy. I hope as time passes the memories become more sweet and the loss less painful. She'll always be a part of your heart.

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  18. John what a beautiful post of remembrance for Tungsten. I cannot believe that it was a year already. She was such a huge part of your life and so beautiful. Thank you for sharing her again and sorry that I wasn't around when you first posted.

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