So long, Ben.
This is way random: my cat died.For those of you who know me, you know that I am incredibly allergic to cats. So how could my cat die?
Well, when I moved out to California at age 16 my sister was out there -- and she and her boyfriend had a cat named Ben. Ben lived in the field and in the trailer on our farm where I lived while our house was under construction.
When my sister moved back to Cleveland with her boyfriend, Ben the cat went with her. I long ago forgot about Ben. I guess I figured he was dead or belonged to someone else or whatever.
Well, it turns out that Ben was living with James (my sister's now ex-boyfriend) all these years. And at 17 years old, Ben's health failed to the point that James had him put to sleep today. James wrote a really sweet email about Ben. Would you believe I choked up? It's a strange cluster of emotions -- nostalgia for those strange California tennage days...
Anyway, here's James' eulogy:
Subject: Good-bye to a good friend....
Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 18:47:24 -0400
>So once aging I find myself in the position of giving sad news about
> a great furry friend...
>
>Ben-cat has been in some failing health for a few days, and after a
>lot of thinking and a visit to my wonderful vet, I decided to let
>him be at peace and go chase mice with Bear in kitty heaven.
>
>Those of you who knew Ben well, may remember his howling and loud
>purring, and going way back would remember him wrestling with Bear
>throughout the night. Personally I remember how he kept my feet warm
> sleeping on the bed and his head-butts when he wanted me to
>scratch him behind the ear, oh, and the occasional drooling :-)
>
>He was a good natured cat who was always after a thread, and loved the
> warmth a radiator or sunlight on the floor could give him.
>
>Ben you will be missed!
>
>james
posted by Ethan at 1:35 PM
6 Comments:
As a cat owner (hell, as a pet owner and animal lover), I can relate... I even choked up a little.
Sorry to hear about Ben. Pets can be wonderful physical connections to parts of our lives otherwise long past... and when they go, it's not only a heart-wrenching loss of a trusted friend, but a reminder that we can never recapture that youth nor stop the advance of time.
In other words, it sucks.
Goodbye, Ben. Vaya con Dios.
Several times over the years I've referred to "Benner" the cat as a cat that thought he was a dog.
Ben moved to Cleveland with Shayna when he was still a "puppy" and lived in the "coop," a small house located behind my house. Ben loved to race my car up the driveway, wait for me to stop, jump on the roof, and when I opened the door, he'd jump on me and loudly purr in my ear.
He was the first cat I ever really liked and will remain as my paradigm for a great cat!
Thanks James for so lovingly caring for "Benner the cat" over the last 17 years!
Thanks, Chron, thanks, Mom. My suster Shayna also wrote a little email to me...here it is:
"Remember the day we went to the grocery store together and there were those kids giving away their kittens. You and I got a box in the store and took Benner home on your lap. And by the time we got back you were completely stuffed up and eyes swollen? Pretty crazy that he lived for soooo long and that James kept him too. But very nice.
Love you ethie, so very much"
Hey Eth,
Thanks for posting my reply for me. Having Benner was one of the fun memories of living in those "office trailors."
Love you,
S
if Ben were around, he could have gotten the mice in my tall kitchen can.
if Ben were around, he could have gotten the mice in my tall kitchen can.
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