I can't let Monday go by without honoring another event though. August 15th will be the 25th anniversary of the day my childhood cat Patch passed away, my first experience grieving the loss of a beloved pet. He was my parents' "first child," as he came into their lives a year and a half before I was born. He was abandoned as a three month old kitten on my father's family dairy farm and my grandmother, knowing how much my Mom loved cats, asked if she'd like to take him home. Prior to Patch my Mom had been over a decade without a cat in her life! He was my constant companion growing up, laying in one corner of my bed while a stack of books sat in the other. We lost him to a brain tumor at age 15.
I've experienced a lot of loss since that first heartbreak, just as anyone does who can't imagine life without cats, but no matter how many times you say goodbye it doesn't get any easier. In ways I think it gets harder.
Visit more artsy kitties at Athena's Caturday Art blog hop!
My human grew up with cats, but she wasn't all that attached to any until she was a teenager. Can you believe she was more interested in LIZARDS as a child? Geez. I think it is awesome you had a family kitty you bonded with.
ReplyDeleteWhat a bittersweet day Monday will be for you, but certainly one to cherish all of the wonderful memories. Although of course you miss him, I am so happy that you got to grow up with a friend like Patch. He was so handsome! And, of course, I am so happy for you on your 5th (amazing!) blogoversary, Melissa and Mudpie!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you about how it seems to get harder each time you lose a furbaby. But, despite that, I simply can't imagine life without these amazing creatures.
Purrs to you, Melissa and Mudpie!
What a heartfelt story, Melissa and Mudpie, but thankful for the memories we have on our beloved furry babies. Granny says she still grieves about Muschy, her first kitty and that is 40 years ago, but it always feels like yesterday. Here are some soft Pawkisses to comfort you <3 <3 <3
ReplyDeleteYay for five years - you two are one of our favorites (and Bear has a bit of a crush on Mudpie)! I know what you mean about "losing." The details of life and living sometimes get in the way and it might not be the first thing you think about every day - but the times you do think about it, there's a painful hole and void that will never be "right" again. Thank you for sharing Patch with us.
ReplyDeleteps - I think we're within a few months of the same age :)
Patch was a handsome kitty. We never forget them and losing them never gets easier.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful, artful tribute to a great cat. I think that it gets paradoxically harder and easier to lose them as time goes on. Harder because you know the heartache that's coming and it brings up lots of bad memories; easier because you know you've gotten through it before, and you know that you will certainly love again. Purrs...
ReplyDeletePatch was a beautiful kitty. I know what you mean about it getting harder to say goodbye. XO
ReplyDeletePatches was very handsome. I agree with you - I can't imagine a life without cats and the heartbreak never gets easier.
ReplyDeleteAww... beautiful kitty!
ReplyDeleteWe never forget them and they always live on in our hearts and memories.
Purrs xx
Athena and Marie
lovely kitty I didn't have cats until my twenties and wouldn't be without one now even with the heartache of their passing
ReplyDeleteMy Mommy can not imagine a life without a cat in it! The longest she lived without one was when she moved here to Vancouver and that was 8 weeks without me! Patches was one special guy! Wes can sees it in his photo. Happy remembering!
ReplyDeleteOh Yes, in case mes misses Monday, Happy 5th Blogoversary! What a accomplishment!
Kisses
Nellie
In 1975 I lost my childhood dog. My parents were dog people. Lil Bit was a black and white terrier mutt than followed my Dad along his mail route. One day he hopped in his truck and Dad brought him home. We never knew how old he was but he came into our lives in the early 60's. I was watching over him as he passed from this world to the next and to this day I still shed tears for him. The song Wildflower was popular at the time and every time I hear that song I think of him. Your Patches was sure a gorgeous. There is no time limit on how we mourn our losses.
ReplyDeleteSweet memories... Patch was a beautiful kitty ! We never forget our angels. Concatulations on 5 years blogging ! Purrs
ReplyDeleteTW's family never had cats until she was a teen. Patch was a handsome boy.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cutie Patch was. Losing a beloved pet is NEVER easy....congrats on the upcoming blogoversary....so when are you going to add the "Mochas" that is in your title? I keep wondering! catchatwithcarenandcody
ReplyDeleteMom Paula grew up with dogs and didn't really get as attached to them as she is with us now because they were always kept outdoors. She does remember being devastated when she watched her Pekingese die because that was the first pet she actually lost. Her parents had given away their previous dogs to someone in the country when they began traveling too much. Mom Paula said she'd never do that again!
ReplyDeleteThe mom grew up with cats most of her life...also some dogs and hamsters and gerbils...birds too. She remembers the first kitty she lost...he got hit by a car...the mom was probably only about 8 years old at the time...and she cried and cried.
ReplyDeletePurrs to you as you remember Patch. He was a handsome guy.
We never really forget our childhood furry friends. Their 🐾🐾🐾 live forever in our hearts. Your patches sure looked like one sweet kitty, thanks for sharing your story, (lump in throat). And con-catulations on your 5th Blogoversary, well done! 👍
ReplyDeletePatch was quite handsome. And congrats on your 5th Blogoversary coming up!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYou never really get over losing any of them, do you? Especially the first one. I still miss my first cat sometimes, and it's been 35 years since he died. He was feisty and not always cooperative but he loved me, slept on my bed, and always came to comfort me when I was crying about something. Patches looks like a sweetie and I'm sure you miss him, too.
ReplyDelete