somewhere in heaven • green eyes • staring down • tail wrapped • around the moon
#tanka for Jade _/|\_ by @CoyoteSings
#tanka for Jade _/|\_ by @CoyoteSings
Jade was always different, even from the start. She would just sit among chaos and watch with an inscrutable expression.
She never fathomed out how to climb. other cats shimmied up trees, but Jade laboriously put one paw above another on the tree trunk and hauled herself up paw by paw. Then she could not figure out how to get down again.
Eventually I found it easier for me to put ladders up where she wanted to go. Against her tree, my potting shed and garage. She could now climb with ease and more importantly get down by herself. Jade loved ladders.
The only problem was in the house when decorating took place and the paint tray was on the top shelf of the ladder…
An affectionate cat, she cleaned and nursed the other cats even though she herself had never had kittens. But, strangely none of the other cats cleaned or nursed Jade.
She would hang on my jeans leg as I walked. My legs still bear scratches from a few days ago. I would take her off to hold and stroke her, but she’d get down and hang, swinging on my jeans leg again as I walked…
On my wooden swing, Jade would sit upright for hours on end without moving a muscle. I tried to photograph her many times, but as soon as I produced a camera she moved and stuck her face into the lens. I have so few photographs of her.
Jade appears to have no idea her whiskers were to give information on the size of space her head was to about to enter. More than once I found Jade lying lifeless with her head stuck in a tin can (not mine as I always squashed the ends together) or other object.
Once when I was unable to pull her out or apply the tin can opener as I was shaking too much, I stuck the can with Jade in it onto the wall electric can opener. Can, and cat whirling unceremoniously around. Then she fell out and eventually started breathing again.
Jade had no sense of danger in many situations and used up far more than her fair share of nine lives. She was a completely innocent cat and used no guile or tricks to get her own way.
Jade is now wrapped in a pretty red sari. She is underneath the stone angel reading to a cat, which sits on the bench where she often sat in the sun. The winter sun is out now, as I am writing this, and has just reached the stone angel, bathing it in golden light.
Eventually I found it easier for me to put ladders up where she wanted to go. Against her tree, my potting shed and garage. She could now climb with ease and more importantly get down by herself. Jade loved ladders.
The only problem was in the house when decorating took place and the paint tray was on the top shelf of the ladder…
An affectionate cat, she cleaned and nursed the other cats even though she herself had never had kittens. But, strangely none of the other cats cleaned or nursed Jade.
She would hang on my jeans leg as I walked. My legs still bear scratches from a few days ago. I would take her off to hold and stroke her, but she’d get down and hang, swinging on my jeans leg again as I walked…
On my wooden swing, Jade would sit upright for hours on end without moving a muscle. I tried to photograph her many times, but as soon as I produced a camera she moved and stuck her face into the lens. I have so few photographs of her.
Jade appears to have no idea her whiskers were to give information on the size of space her head was to about to enter. More than once I found Jade lying lifeless with her head stuck in a tin can (not mine as I always squashed the ends together) or other object.
Once when I was unable to pull her out or apply the tin can opener as I was shaking too much, I stuck the can with Jade in it onto the wall electric can opener. Can, and cat whirling unceremoniously around. Then she fell out and eventually started breathing again.
Jade had no sense of danger in many situations and used up far more than her fair share of nine lives. She was a completely innocent cat and used no guile or tricks to get her own way.
Jade is now wrapped in a pretty red sari. She is underneath the stone angel reading to a cat, which sits on the bench where she often sat in the sun. The winter sun is out now, as I am writing this, and has just reached the stone angel, bathing it in golden light.
That was a gorgeous eulogy. What a unique cat!
ReplyDeleteHey Gennepher, what a lovely eulogy! I can really relate to this. I have had a couple of cats in my time and one, that could seem like a soul-sister to your Jade. It seems like both cats belonged to those self-less souls, that to us with too much sense of self comes across as naive. Those uncatlike cats - as you say - makes our world a little bigger and filled with wonder. They push the standard of "normal" because they insist on doing things their own way - a way that is far from normal cat-behavior.
ReplyDeleteWhilst all cats have wonderful qualities generally - Jade sounds like she was a unique soul wrapped in a shiny cat's suit. She was obviously here to meet you - I had such a cat come to me after a miscarriage, a daft old beast, accepting of her dribble and my sadness and therefore excess cooching. Although I had her a short time, I appreciated every moment of her, as you surely did with Jade. Specialities have magnetic pulls to other specialities. Enjoy your magical memories.
ReplyDeletei'm sorry that i wasn't here sooner, sweetheart. Jade sounds lovely, loving and unique.
ReplyDeleteIt's been three and a half years since I lost my beautiful kitty, Jazz, to cancer. I was fortunate enough to have him in my life for 17 years. When I lost him, the kind veterinarian who had taken care of him in his final weeks sent me a card about the Rainbow Bridge. I'm sure you know the poem. Even if your beliefs are different, I hope the promise of reunion will bring you some comfort ~
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge...
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they miss someone very special to them; who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. The bright eyes are intent; the eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to break away from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. YOU have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
I love you, Jenny, and I am so sorry for your loss. *hugs to wrap around your heart until the sadness lessens*
Dear Gen my wonderful friend,I have not written any comment before now why I was so upset .. i couldn't even stay and read as i had lost powder round the same time as Jade I never said anything as you can understand now.... both leaving us Powder passed on February 12 saturday night was in hospital since the thursday. I love your memories you have shared I cant get over how Powder and Jade looked so similar like brother & sister :))) it is a beeutiful memory dear Gen hugz Beez x:)
ReplyDelete