Thursday, March 4, 2021

Her Name was Josie

It took a while to set up Josie’s ashes and memorial photograph. I hope she’ll forgive the delay; those who remain here needed a bit of tending.


In fact, my Chubs’s ashes were ready within a couple of days. It’s astonishing to what one’s body is reduced after cremation. She once was a heavy girlcat. But she is not really here with me; I like to think that she is somewhere better. These are just reminders of what she had been.


The Great White was a kind of anchor in the Cosy Apartment. While the loss of Raleigh and Cammie last year, and Parker, Tungsten and Bear-Bear before them, were grievous and great, they didn’t change the feel of things the way Josie’s departure has. I feel as though I have lost a support. I don’t know why: she complained much of the time and was selfish, really. But she was my friend, and it seems as though she had always been with me. Now, she is not, and the world feels less steady.


She was my old lady, my friend. Her name was Josie, and I will remember her.





16 comments:

  1. Josie, a special girl cat. Fond memories forever.

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  2. We will ALL remember her John..
    As we do ALL your lovely pussy~cats..
    God bless~~All of them..! Bless!

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  3. That's a lovely portrait of her.

    Although it's so sad to see how large your memorial wall has gotten.

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    1. The picture is my favourite, and is from 2014, when Josie was still literally my Chubs. She would greet visitors welcomingly, and that image always makes me think she’s saying, “Oh, hello. How may I help you?”

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  4. What a beautiful post. I think no matter how many cats you have, there is always one that's special, (even though we may not like to admit it), and it seems that Josie was your special cat. But as long as we keep the cats that we've lost in our hearts, they will always be with us.

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  5. Such a sweetheart and such a lovely tribute.

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  6. That's such a beautiful photo of her, and a wonderful tribute. Derry sends soft purrs to you; I'm sending universal Light and blessings. Peace.

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  7. That is a beautiful photo and memorial to Josie.

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  8. That is a nice memorial for your sweet girl. XO

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  9. What a great memorial for a terrific cat! I also love your "before" shrine. What a touching way to remember them. We send you virtual hugs and strength and thank you for sharing your cats with us!

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  10. She will continue to watch over you...

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  11. Surrounded by your loving memories, as it should be.

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  12. We all of us here understand that feeling of loss in the home. And when one cat who was special and becomes our figurative and actual helper in the household, they remain at the top of our loving memories of all our furred family. And we feel a void. It will be that way if Katie leaves before I do.

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  13. We think that is a beautiful memory area and more of an area of the heart. We feel as though we knew all of these lovely, wonderful friends due to your very caring and considerate posts of their lives. We know what that feels like, that loss. When our Buddy passed it was very different and the cats felt the same. We wish you and your family well. Thank you for allowing us to visit and get to know you all

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  14. Josie was a special and steadying presence in your household. It's no surprise that you feel her loss so deeply. Sending you gentle purrs and prayers.

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