Theo, In Memoriam

Theo left us today.

She'd had a bad winter: she was very sick a few months ago, and barely pulled through that. She went out a couple of days ago and apparently ate something poison—a plant, we think, possibly something that wouldn't have bothered her so much if she'd been healthier, or younger. But she was nearly thirteen, gray hair showing in her coat, and she had never been strong; she'd ailed with one thing or another nearly her whole life. When she came back inside, she was too far gone for us to do anything; her kidneys were shutting down.

We buried her in the back, near Brownie's grave, and I planted catnip there.

She had a good life (or so it seems to me): we both loved her, even though she was cranky and didn't like to be held or even petted very often (I named her Theodosia after the Empress, because she seemed very Byzantine, even for a cat. . .). As soon as I went to bed, she'd jump up and sit on my chest to be petted until she'd had enough, then she'd sleep behind my knees (at least until I went to sleep). And when I made the bed in the morning, she always waited impatiently for me to put on the finishing touch, a stack of folded blankets on the bed's foot for her to nap on top of.

She loved being outside, after we moved here and she could go out. (She was an inside cat for the first half of her life, and she spent the second half making up for lost outside time.) She'd come in only when it was too cold to stay out, and she spent most of her winter inside time on a rug in front of the stove (sometimes with catnip, as in the photo), or on the aforementioned pile of blankets on the bed. As soon as the weather warmed up in the spring, she was outside all day long (and sometimes all night, too, which is why we didn't find it odd when she didn't show up for a couple of days—just Theo-business-as-usual, we thought), prowling around the woodpile, climbing trees, harassing the squirrels, hiding under the azaleas (and in the occasional box under the back steps), and snacking from the food and water dishes we keep on both porches so she didn't have to come in and perhaps miss something outside.

Go gentle, Theo, and rest easy. We'll miss you.

Comments

[Maryellen]

I'm sorry about the death of your friend.

[lisa]

So sorry, Anita. It sounds like Theo had a very good life with you, and was well-loved and cared for. Hugs and purrs from Siofra and I.

[Susan Ramey Cleveland]

So sad to hear of Theo's passing. May happy thoughts of good times with her comfort you.

[Judi]

Sorry to hear about Theo. Reading this post and the one about the chickens just makes you realize it really is a circle of life!

[Steve]

Sorry for your loss.

Farewell, Theo...

[Megan]

We are so sorry to hear about your loss. Theo was a beautiful little kitty. Be in peace...

[Kai]

I can barely write this. Anita, I'm so sorry. You know how I feel about your wonderful kitty-people. Yes, I know Theo lived well - but it's still incredibly sad to lose a friend. I'm sending you hugs!!!!

[Blueberry]

I am very sorry about Theo. We just lost our Duncan in April, he was a black cat too, he was 11. (((big hugs and purrs))) I know she will be greatly missed.

[Anne]

Thank you for sharing memories of Theo's wonderful life. I am sad for your loss; but happy for the wonderful time you had together. Anne

[Jo-Anne]

Oh Anita - I'm so sorry to hear about Theo. Thanks for sharing him with us.

[Jo-Anne]

Make that, sharing HER with us. I've enjoyed the photos and stories.

[dianne marcoux]

Hello Antia
I'm too am sorry to hear about you losing Theo, he has a nice resting place and had the best owners a cat could have had...

[Rosa]

That's ever so sad... Theo was a magnificent kitty!
In thoughts with you...

[Tonniece]

I'm so sorry to hear about your Theo's passing.

[astrid]

we are sorry for your loss!
our thoughts are with you.

hugs'n'kisses
Kashim&Othello

[Sheri]

so sorry.... one less kitty to sweeten up the world, one more kitty to visit in heaven

sheri and ollie