Hoping for sunshine today or tomorrow

[tamaranth]

"Now that's more like it," says Sam.
Originally uploaded by tamaranth

Sam and I have taken to our bed. It is nice and warm here and there is room for more than one cat (though poor Shiva is sulking under the bed because I'm not paying enough attention to her). Sam is ornithologising. There are cat treats everywhere: Shiva doesn't like them much, and Sam adores them.

He's really the most personable cat I've ever known. He adores me and wants to be with me all the time: he hates my current desk chair because there's not enough room for him to curl up behind me. He follows me around the flat, possibly by teleportation. He won't sit anywhere until he's decided he wants to. He wakes me up by sprawling over me and tugging at my hair and rubbing his teeth over my hairline. He likes to stretch out on the patio table in the sunshine. He'll eat whatever I'm eating (quiche, crisps, chocolate, cereal bars). He's always at the door when I come home.

He's never been much of a hunter (though of course I've only known him well in his old age) but he's quite happy to boast about random prey: a mouse he caught in the study ("Here's one I prepared earlier"), a mouse Shiva caught and lost interest in, a bird that flew into a window and dropped at his feet.

He was a playful cat until very recently: chasing the belt of my dressing-gown, killing champagne corks, proving the adage that the cat is mightier than the pen. He's jealous of the laptop: I tend to watch downloaded TV, and read LJ, lounging on the sofa with the laptop propped on my knees, which means there is ample space on my chest for a determined cat.

He's been my closest companion, in the sense of the creature I've spent most time engaging with, for the last three years. He was the deciding factor in my move to Sussex in 2005. (Shiva is sweet, and has blossomed in the last year, but she doesn't have the personality.) He's been a comforting purry presence through some dark times.

I know I've made the right decision for him and for me, but I'm going to miss him very much.

Comments

[hawkida.livejournal.com]

I can imagine how hard it is but it is a dignified and fitting end.

[brisingamen.livejournal.com]

Just before Snufkin died, by his own choice he came and spent a day in my study with me, just like before he became ill. He mostly curled behind me on my chair and slept, but did a bit of work as a paperweight as well. I appreciated the comforting normality of it all as the week went on, and the chance to have spent a last bit of quality time with probably my favourite cat ever.

Enjoy the time with Sam and make good memories.

[ms-cataclysm.livejournal.com]

He seems like a lovely cat . (hugs to both of you)

[woolymonkey.livejournal.com]

Have a wonderful, treat-filled couple of days!

[marypcb.livejournal.com]

I am so, so sorry to hear about Sam. I wasn't in Bath when we lost Cicero to liver sarcoma, but she went downstairs to be with tanais on her last day even though she'd moved upstairs away from the dogs by then. infuriating wonderful beasts. hugs to you, strokes to Sam and a handful of feathers for Shiva.

[lj_stowaway]

Sounds like the absolutely best way to spend the next days (and very much like Cleo and me last Fall). Sam's a lucky cat to have you caring for him, especially now.

Much love to you both.

[moral-vacuum.livejournal.com]

*nods*

[triciasullivan.livejournal.com]

I'm really sorry. I hope this time together will give you a chance to fill him up with love enough to last when you part.

[shinysparkly.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. *gentle hugs for you both*

[zil-n-fruitcake.livejournal.com]

there is ample space on my chest for a determined cat

Amplitude of space increases proportionately with determination of cat.
Second law of Felidynamics.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Beautiful cats, beautiful mommy of cats. I'm so sorry.

*hugs you lots*

[elinor.livejournal.com]

::hugshugshugs::