Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Delight Amid Sorrow

Before anything else, I want to thank all those who have described their sympathy and sorrow at the passing of my two friends, Cammie and Raleigh. They were very special to me, and it seems that they were to many others, too. Raleigh especially seems to have touched a lot of people. Cammie had great afflictions but she had the strength and determination to overcome them; she lived fifteen years, half of that time with me. I will miss her in ways I can’t describe. But Raleigh lived a short time, most of it probably unappreciated and certainly some of it alone and very scared. His time with me was a mere twenty-one months, much of it in uncertainty of his new home. But this frightened little fellow found a spot with many of those who read of his adventures, as he did with me.

I have tried to express my gratitude individually to each correspondent who commented on my losses, principally through a response to those comments. I apologise if I have inadvertently missed someone. On behalf of both my departed cats, thank you.

But even in sorrow, there can be delight. My surviving beasts bring me the latter emotion. This time, it was Neville’s turn.

When he came to stay with me temporarily, in August of last year, Nevsky didn’t mind lying on my lap now and then. That changed when he came to live here permanently. He may have realised the changed status, and that affected his behaviour. He was less affectionate with me in the long run than in the short-term, opposite of the usual effect.

But that is changing. Over the last few weeks, I noticed him purring more often, and more audibly, responding to being petted and stroked. Then, last evening, after snack-time, he was relaxing on the couch in the sitting room. I sat down near him and patted my lap. I didn’t think anything would come of it. The Nev stood up, stretched, and walked over to me, climbing onto my lap. There he stayed for about ten minutes.

He switched positions numerous times, as if he couldn’t get comfortable, but he purred the while and seemed to enjoy the attention I was giving him. Then he got off and went to look out the window.

This was a very pleasing development. I know he dislikes his insulin injections, and I feared that that would be a barrier between us. The truth is, though, he seems to fear them more than feel them. He recoils when I approach him sometimes, thinking that it is needle-time, yet when I inject him, he doesn’t flinch; I think he may, like many humans, dread the idea of needles more than the needles themselves. I believe in any case that his action last night demonstrates that he doesn’t hold my actions against me.

Even in the worst of times, there can often be found reasons to smile. Last night, mine was Neville.

22 comments:

  1. Ah! Bless! Can l put my hand towel
    back in the bathroom now..Hope fully
    for some time at least..
    Hopefully..things will turn around for
    you John..You'll still have memories,
    happy and sad..but..that's the way life
    is..At least we'll look forward to Neville's
    coat growing back..Bless!x

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  2. It's wonderful when a kitty suddenly decides you're ok and wants a snuggle. Even a short one! I hope this is the start of a new cuddly habit for him!

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  3. Good job Neville, keep those smiles coming pal.

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  4. I think animals are aware of our feelings, and respond accordingly. So I'm not surprised that Neville sat in your lap last night, perhaps in an effort to give you comfort. It also may be that Neville missed Cammie and Raleigh, just as you do, and needed some comfort too.

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  5. I was so very sorry to read about Cammie and Raleigh's passing. I am glad to hear Neville is offering snuggles. I know I can never get enough of those! Linda

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    1. Thank you for your condolences; Cammie and Raleigh were remarkable little cats.

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  6. Well done Neville, we're sure your dad needs some extra cuddles these days too.

    It sounds like you're working your magic with Neville too, John. These cats are so fortunate to find their way to you.

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  7. Each cat is a personality, and they interact with us and the other creatures according to their likes and dislikes. Here's hoping Nevsky finds more room now to expand his interests.

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  8. He is a favorite of mine as well...as he has become endearingly familiar to those of us who love all the beasts.

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  9. I'm glad Neville's starting to feel at home. He's such a handsome fellow--even if he has a way of attracting bad haircuts--and from his photos, he always seems to have such a shrewd look in his eyes. He's a really interesting guy.

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  10. neville; thanx dood..we noe...ewe noe...why we say thiz :) ♥♥♥

    bye de way...lookin good dood !! ☺☺☺

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  11. How sweet! I'm glad Neville came and both got and gave some comfort, I hope that happens more often now. ♥

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  12. Hoping Nev continues to progress in coming to you for loves and scratches. Life continues even though it's hard. Wishing you and your furfamily peace and comfort.

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  13. Cats understand our emotions and Neville wanted to offer you comfort.

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  14. You don't have to send a personal email of "thanks for the condolences" to each and every commenter.

    Most of us have lost beloved pet companions of elder age and know the difficulties that can cause. We love them to the last day and beyond. And we never blame them for the messes they can't help. It is just how things go at the end...

    If I may be allowed to say, Ayla has been a happier cat since Iza left. Iza was a bit of a bully. Not a beat somecat up kind, just a a toe whapper and food bowl take-over.

    So Ayla is easier to pet now, more willing to come up on the lap now, and more often in the main part of the house. I didn't realize how stressed she was by Iza. It is obvious now in retrospect (yeah, I'm dumb).

    You will certainly notice some behavioral changes in the other cats as dominance and territorial issues change. That is part of what makes them so fascinating.

    Dogs fight; cats threaten, puff sometimes, and adjust.

    My best wishes to you and your remaining crew...

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    1. Thank you. Yes, even a passive cat's departure seems to change things to an extent. Cammie and Raleigh were opposites in many ways, but the deaths of both will alter things.

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  15. I know how soothing it is to have a cat come willingly to us for a
    pet or a snuggle, and best of all a lap sit. Neville may fill a bit
    less intimidated with fewer cats in your home. Whatever it is, I
    hope he gets more approachable for you. He will benefit from the
    touch of a gentle human and you will enjoy it, too.

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  16. Nicely done, Neville! ~grin~ And best wishes to Jerome. We're down from three to one geriatric cat, losing the first two (Luna and Tilly) five years apart. Now we're wondering if Jezebel would benefit from a pair of younger cats. Hmmm... Be well, and thank you for all your wonderful efforts.

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    1. I know what you mean. I was thinking that, having had six, and now four, I have room for at least one more now. But no, I had to reduce my numbers for my own well-being, and that of my other beasts. Then again…

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  17. I understand your feelings, John. I lost Jessica shortly after Easter, so I went from 6 cats to 5. Right now, the shelter where I work is closed, but when it re-opens, I just may get another cat. I figure if the right cat comes along, and I have room in my heart and home for another cat, why deprive an animal of a "furever" home.

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    1. I am sorry about Jessica's passing. You had mentioned her in previous comments. Nothing ever feels the same when one leaves, and yet, there is that space, that opportunity: if you managed six before... I get the feeling our departed pets wouldn't be offended; they'd probably roll their eyes at our predictable behaviour...

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  18. Thank you for your kind words, John.

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