I lost my best friend of fourteen and one-half years today. Harley, beloved yellow striped cat. Diabetes and a failing liver; he fought a valiant fight.
Loving always, and brave to the end.
He was in my lap at the vets, with Iris who loved him, alongside. Gently, he slept, and sleeps now forevermore.
No better friend. No finer shipmate. Never a love more loyal or true.
Harley
Beloved Yellow Cat
Made of Pure Love
R.I.P.
March 15, 1995 - November 9, 2009.
First, let me thank each of you who've commented for your kind and caring comments. And yes, the same in advance for any who comment later.
Now then. I think it only fitting to put up a few photos of His Royal Yellowness. And even these images fail to do justice to the pure, unadulterated love which he exuded like other cats shed hair. You can read some about him and his late sister Ariel, here. An excerpt for you:
They're both loyal, but Harley defies the definition of "cat" in this respect. Think in terms of a three year old child with seperation anxiety. One of his nicknames is "velcro cat". If that mushball had his way, he'd live eighteen hours a day on my lap, or riding on my shoulders.
When I come home from work, he's always at the companionway to greet me, and when I come below into the cabin, I really can't function until he's had his ten or fifteen minutes of licking my face, wagging his tail, making odd "bmruffmrrrow: noises and just generally letting me know he's happy that I'm home. I describe him to people as a mix of Garfield, Marmaduke, Dennis the Menace and Ferdinand the Bull. When he's happy (which is 95% of the time) he "thuds" his tail on the cushion, just like a happy dog.
Now, please let me share some of his love, with each of you.
Thirteen pounds of absolute, unconditional love, in a striped yellow specklebelly coat.
He rests now, today, protected by strong wood, brass fittings and my abiding love, deep beneath the grass outside of my gunroom window, where we will still keep company, always.
Rest in Peace my beloved friend. Rest in peace.
Man, you know I'm sad along with you.
MC
Posted by: mostly cajun | November 09, 2009 at 09:00 PM
Yellow/orange tabbies are the sweetest.
You have my sympathies, Jim.
Saying a prayer...
Posted by: Mo K. | November 09, 2009 at 09:00 PM
Sending hugs your way.
Posted by: Omnibus Driver | November 09, 2009 at 10:48 PM
I'm sory to hear that. I know how you feel.
Posted by: Jim - PRS | November 10, 2009 at 02:14 AM
Jim, I'm so sorry for your loss.
Thinking of you.
Posted by: De | November 10, 2009 at 11:39 AM
So sorry to hear this, Jim. Furry hugs from our house to yours....
Posted by: Darcy | November 10, 2009 at 12:00 PM
You have my condolences. He looked just like the cat who rules the house that he allows me residence.
Posted by: Jeffro | November 10, 2009 at 08:23 PM
The fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.
Posted by: B....... | November 12, 2009 at 03:39 PM
So sorry dude-something about those companion pets-it'll be empty for a bit-beautiful looking cat
Posted by: MM | November 12, 2009 at 06:22 PM
So sorry for your loss. Pets become like children to us, especially the ones who live long lives.
Posted by: Jeremy | November 12, 2009 at 06:51 PM
I am so sorry for your loss. We loss our last Maine Coon kitty, Shadow on September 11th at the age of 18 and I miss her so. They work their way into our hearts and when they leave us, they leave such a large void in our lives. May the good memories of your little guy's companionship remain with you.
Posted by: JerseyJerry | November 12, 2009 at 07:54 PM
RIP Harley.
Hi, I'm Serge in Canada, just followed Denny's link. I've lost a cat. Broke my heart. Some pets we don't care about, but every once in a while, you get this one cat that's a friend.
You never forget those. I feel for you man.
Posted by: red collar | November 12, 2009 at 08:15 PM
Hi, I'm here by way of Denny's place. My most sincere thoughts are with you for the loss of such a loving and wonderful companion.
I'm owned by such a cat as well, she's almost nineteen, and I'm having a hard time facing the inevitable.
Your love for Harley will be returned ten-fold.
Gregor
Posted by: gregor | November 13, 2009 at 07:52 AM
I'm so sorry, Jim. I can only imagine your grief.
Even though I gripe about it when Betsy Cat decides to sleep on me, and I wake up with 10 lbs. of cat on my neck and a mouthful of inhaled fur, or when Pookie Cat sits on my feet and yowls for no apparent reason, I know I'd be completely crushed if they weren't there to bother me.
Remember the good times, my friend, and don't wait too long before bringing a new furry critter into your life!
Posted by: El Capitan | November 13, 2009 at 11:56 AM
I just came across the link to this and am so sorry for your loss. Like you, I too have an orange tabby (Buster) who is eighteen years old. Each day I have him with me is a blessing. I am grieving for your loss and for my future loss, because I know it will come sooner rather than later. Our cats are tuly the best friends we could ever have in this life. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Posted by: Ginger | November 13, 2009 at 01:46 PM
Sorry about your buddy. I had a cat when I was single. Yellow tiger stripe that I found as a runt left by it's mother. My best friend.
Posted by: Chuck | November 13, 2009 at 05:10 PM
My deepest condolences.
RIP Harley. Thank you for reminding me that I need to go hug my (not so little) buddy Tiggr...
Posted by: Thomas Frank | November 13, 2009 at 11:40 PM
Thoughts...
Posted by: Yabu | November 14, 2009 at 12:05 AM
Harley sounds like he was a great one. Orange Tabbies are special (BTW 75% of them are male)
We lost my Tuxedo who was also a "dog cat" after 17 years - they do leave a big hole, don't they
RIP Harley
Posted by: kg2v | November 14, 2009 at 06:17 AM
You have our deepest condolences. Those of use who have loved (and lost) Animal Companions know how much love we all have invested in them fuzzy guys!
We lost our Matata over 18 months ago, and we still grieve...
Posted by: Elisson | November 14, 2009 at 02:10 PM
Damn, Jim, I'm so sorry to hear this sad news.
We bring them into our lives, knowing that when they go it'll hurt, and hurt terribly - but the love makes it worthwhile. And clearly, there was a lot of love between you and Harley.
I'm one of those nuts who believes that when our own end comes, they'll be there waiting for us. They are a huge part of our lives - I don't think a gracious and loving God would deny us their company in the Hereafter.
Warmest regards to you, Jim.
Posted by: Russ | November 15, 2009 at 02:59 PM
Reading this after 13 years of the loss of our most beloved (tonka)what an animal and 31 pounds of something that didnt know he was a cat! a citizen is what he was and I reel at your most awful loss.
regards Paul (uk)
Posted by: Paul | November 15, 2009 at 07:13 PM
So sorry. It is heart breaking to lose them.
Posted by: bill lively | November 16, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Bugger. He looks like our Cooney, who we lost last Christmas Eve. Sorry for your loss.
Posted by: og | November 19, 2009 at 06:21 AM
Sorry for your loss. Unconditional love, trust, and acceptance, from such four footed finery is what makes time on this earth that much more bearable.
May he Rest in Peace.
Posted by: Guy S | November 19, 2009 at 10:05 PM