Tomorrow evening, I complete a sad and mournful journey which began this past Saturday afternoon.
I shall lay to rest one of my two beloved cats; Ariel, age eleven.
Coming home tonight after work, I dug her grave just two hundred feet to the starboard bow, just off of the shale road that defines the narrow peninsula that is this end of the marina. She will rest, overlooking the Intercoastal Waterway, which she often looked towards while resting serenely upon the cabin roof.
Ariel is survived by her brother and littermate, Harley.
She died of an enlarged heart, with the symptoms striking suddenly of a Saturday afternoon. Less than two hours passed between her going down in distress, and the fateful decision at the vets.
Ariel died in my arms, with my lips upon her face, telling her over and over again how very much I loved her. I love her still. I shall always love her.
And tomorrow, I shall retrieve her frozen corpse from the vet, and will lay her to her eternal rest.
I miss her terribly.
UPDATE: 8:10pm CST, Wednesday, July 19, 2006.
It is done.
Ariel rests alongside her occassional friend; my neighbor John's late mop of a dog, Scruffy.
My hands, blistered. My heart, broken.
Thank you all, for your condolcences and good wishes. I am thankful.
Jim, I am so sorry for your loss. I know how important you kitties are to you.
I'll be thinking of you.
Posted by: DeAnna | July 18, 2006 at 11:01 PM
I just came across your site while blog hopping. Sorry to hear about your loss. My cat is 11 and I'm not looking forward to this day. We send our condolences.
Posted by: Marti | July 19, 2006 at 05:44 AM
Jim,
My deepest sympathies for your loss. It's been a few years since we lost our last little one. He was sixteen and as Senior Cat his job was to wake up on command (a task he did faithfully and well). Had him at the vet for what I thought was a bad tooth and found out it was cancer. Had to call my wife and make the decision then and there (since we didn't want him to suffer any more).
They may be gone from our hands but they're never gone from our hearts.
Posted by: KCSteve | July 19, 2006 at 08:50 AM
Jim, I'm so sorry to hear about your Ariel. Our cat is aging now and the worries of this are surfacing more and more.
Sending hugs & thoughts from way up north.
Posted by: Lisa W. | July 19, 2006 at 10:13 AM
I'm so sorry for your loss, Jim.
Posted by: Chablis | July 19, 2006 at 10:52 AM
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I am so sorry that you have suffered this loss.
Huge Hugssssssssss
Posted by: Raggedy | July 19, 2006 at 12:26 PM
Sorry to hear it, Jim. I've heard it said that while a person can adopt other cats, the ones that pass on can never be replaced.
Here's hoping Ariel finds herself in a world of abundant mice, fresh catnip, and no dogs at all.
Posted by: El Capitan | July 19, 2006 at 02:33 PM
Catdolences.
Posted by: marcus | July 19, 2006 at 05:33 PM
I'm so sorry to heat about Ariel. I'm glad it was quick and you could be with her. Sounds like a nice resting place you have picked.
Posted by: caltechgirl | July 19, 2006 at 06:48 PM
Jim, condolences to you buddy... we lost our beloved Sadie back in January and I was surprised at how much that hurt.
We now have our own Harley and though he'll never replace Sadie, he's making his own mark on us and has filled, though not completely, a void left by Sadie's departure.
Here's hoping your void is filled (as full as it can be) soon...
Posted by: Rick | July 19, 2006 at 08:27 PM
Awww, man - you have my condolences. Ya know they will die eventually, but it still sucks when it happens. At least you got to say goodbye. Hang in there, buddy.
Posted by: Jeffro | July 19, 2006 at 08:46 PM
I'm very sorry to hear about Ariel. Extra skritchies for our kitties tonight in sympathy.
Posted by: TXMagpie | July 19, 2006 at 10:19 PM
Oh, I'm so sorry. My heart breaks for you.
Posted by: Libby | July 19, 2006 at 11:12 PM
My condolences and deepest sympathy for you and Harley. Your ship's cat did what mine did before joining St. Peter's Company of such stalwart guardians: he gave you all her love and life, lo these many years.
Both our stalwarts now prowl the Heavenly docks together, and woe betide those devilish Wharf Rats!
Posted by: Rivrdog | July 20, 2006 at 01:23 AM
My condolences. I have only had to put a pet down once so far and I know how emotionally tough it is. You did the right thing for Ariel. She was lucky to have you.
Posted by: Thom | July 20, 2006 at 07:51 AM
Animals are special. We become more special for knowing them. Unconditional love and lots of laughs. Condolences.
Posted by: MalaikaMaliondo | July 20, 2006 at 01:57 PM
Jim--
You have my sympathies. Pets are little friends and the loss when one is gone is great. I know how you feel.
MC
Posted by: mostly cajun | July 20, 2006 at 03:01 PM
Jim, my heart goes out to you. Those of us who have cats as Companion Animals often have to deal with the consequences of our disparate lifespans, yet Ariel was by no means an elderly cat. Our Matata is about the same age, and we could not imagine being without her.
It's painful to lose a Kitty Friend. Please accept my condolences.
Posted by: Elisson | July 20, 2006 at 04:00 PM
Aw, man ... I'm so sorry.
From one who knows how bad you're hurting,
Erica
Posted by: erica | July 20, 2006 at 11:52 PM
Our pets are family.
We understand all too well, Jim. We lost our beloved Westie "Darwin" 1.5 yrs ago, and we still miss him. We like to think of "Rainbow Bridge", one day.
Be comforted.
Posted by: Mo K. | July 21, 2006 at 09:35 PM
My condolances. I went through this over Memorial Day with my 14 year old Boykin Spaniel, Sassy. I rather doubt that I did Xeno of Cittum proud that day.
Posted by: Cybrludite | July 22, 2006 at 04:56 AM
I am so sorry about Ariel. I am glad you were there with her when she left this world. That is my biggest regret when my dear kitty Moko passed away nearly six years ago. At the vet's office before they put her to sleep, I held her and can still remember so vividly.... gently placing a hand on each side of her face and kissing her nose and telling her how much I loved her. I just couldn't make myself go all the way with her. I have felt so much guilt over not staying with her when the vet took her to the "other room". At the time I felt I couldn't bear it but have felt guilt all these years for not staying by her side till the end. It makes me weep thinking about it.
Posted by: Cindi | July 24, 2006 at 01:44 AM
So sorry for your loss, pets are such a huge part of our lives. We have had to make the same choice for 2 of our beloved pets and it leaves such a void. They do live on in our hearts. I came across your blog because of Gutrumbles - Acidman would appreciate the irony...hugs to Harley.
Posted by: Helen | July 27, 2006 at 07:11 AM
((HUGS))
Posted by: Dana | July 27, 2006 at 09:12 AM
I'm so sorry for the loss of your Ariel. What a lovely and oh so appropriate name for a ship's cat. She calms the tempest on different seas now, but know that she waits for you there.
Thank you so much for your understanding.
Posted by: Rosie | January 11, 2007 at 09:55 AM