Wednesday, November 28, 2007

In Memory of Hunter

Two days ago our neighbor called to tell us that they found our big kitty, Hunter, dead in the road. Oh, there has been so much sadness in our house. Emily Rose and Hunter were such good friends. She faithfully made sure that he had food and water. She got to see him be born. He came to her when she called. He would sit beside her and knead his paws on her leg. If she was laying on the floor, he would wuzzle her hair and purr. He was such a loving comfort for her on hard days, but now he is buried and her heart has been broken. Tears flowed freely for hours. In August we got a new kitten, and she is Forest's best friend. When we first got her, Hunter would have nothing to do with her. He hissed at her occasionally, but never hurt her. Eventually they started sniffing noses. And then less then a week before he died, they were finally friends and we found them sleeping together. CeCe has lost a friend too.

To keep our memories of Hunter fresh, I thought I would share some photos from his life.

Hunter as a newborn in June 2004 with his mother Windy and his siblings, (left to right) Muffin, Licorice, Gravy Cake, Hunter, and Stripes.
The kittens on their first adventure in the yard when they were about four weeks old. We set up a play fence for them, and they had a wonderful time. Hunter is the second kitten from the left, eagerly looking out from the middle.
With a little help from Emily Rose, Hunter got to climb a tree for the first time. As Hunter grew older, he started becoming more independent. He liked to sleep on the top shelf in the garage with the camping supplies. Fearless Forest devised a way to visit him one day. Hunter was king of the garden path, terror of the local rodents, and rival of the neighbor cat, Pokey. But he was a gentle as could be with his people. He loved a good prowl, and a good nap.

And here he is last Christmas Eve. As the Christmas song says, "Sleep in heavenly peace", Hunter.

5 bouquets of wildflowers (Comment here):

La Tea Dah said...

This post makes me teary. I'm so sorry for your loss. It's very, very difficult to lose a pet. We have a little pet cemetery in our yard. In it we have buried three Schnauzers (Fiddlesticks, Razzie, an Jetta) and our big, Siamese cat named Samson. We always have a ceremony when we bury them --- and I always put special plants or seeds over the spot each spring. We lost our first Schnauzer, Libby, not far from where you live --- so she is buried at Grandpa's house over there. Maybe we should move her here --- but it's been 20 years and she's buried with a childhood pet of DH's.

Such sadness --- I'm so sorry. Losing a pet is very, very tough. Looking at pictures of the happy times is always healing.

Thinking of you today,
LaTeaDah

Patty said...

Oh so sad to loose a kitty ! Sorry for your loss

VJ said...

I am so sorry about your loss of Hunter. Please let Emily Rose and Forest know I am giving them what Tony calls "air hugs."

When I was ER's age, we lost a cocker spanial puppy Christmas Eve. I understand the sadness your kids are going through right now.

Pamela said...

tell that little red headed gal that I am so sorry.

I remember being heart broken and inconsolable when I lost my pet as a child.

Barb said...

So sorry to hear of your kitty loss, I am truly sorry.

Barb-Harmony Art Mom