Monday, June 23, 2008

Silence





For anyone that has ever lost a pet, the following is a tribute to the dedication between an animal and the family in which it dwells.

This past week I witnessed the passing of a very dear friend. For eighteen years he was a constant companion.

Appearing one day at the doorstep as a stray kitten he soon made himself at home. After locating his rightful owner and discovering he was not wanted, it was here he stayed. He was a little scruffy, few whiskers but a beautiful rich, red fur coat made him a hit with the female cats already in residence.

We named him Addison O'Malley. (Addison was the son of Adam meaning red earth and he suited it perfectly.)

Addison was part Maine Coon and he often chirped as he carried on a conversation. Blessed with a lush, thick tail he would sway it to and fro as he stalked the birds in the garden. He grew to be a big cat, 20+ lbs. in his prime and walked on a harness and leash.

I will miss him terribly as will his two Siamese sisters.

Here's to you Addie and the life you shared and the hearts you filled. May you spend eternity chasing that ever elusive bird.



27 comments:

Lori said...

Susan, i am so sorry that your beautiful friend is gone!!!

Fete et Fleur said...

I am so sorry for your loss. What wonderful memories you will carry of him in your heart.

Blessings Dear One!
Nancy

Anonymous said...

I am so terribly sorry for the loss of your beloved pet. I too, recently lost my beloved Josie (my dog) of 12 years. I know how you must be feeling and hope you will visit my blog to read a letter I posted on it for Josie. I think anyone who has ever loved any animal will find some comfort in reading it. Again so very sorry.

My Deepest sympathy

Kris Franklin

"Whimsy Wishes" said...

We have taken in so many strays and found lost animals back to thier people.. I did take in a wild calico cat that I watched a couple seasons litterally get gang raped sorry for the harsh discription but it was just that when you see 4 and more cats after her at one time..I had a huge arbor and I would find her at the top of it trying to get away from them circling as Id squirt water on them it was horrid finally she trusted me enought and got to close one day and I caught her!!! YIpEE so I took her and got her fixed but then she went back to being wild but safe and when she never came back one day I was very sad!! she was our mama cat and we loved her even tho she was wild...
We miss her bunches!!!

Joy Jones said...

Oh Susan, I am so sorry for your loss but I am sure that you gave Addison a beautiful life and will have many wonderful memories of your special time together. ~ Hugs ~ Joy

softinthehead said...

Funny how these little hairballs of nature seem to maneuver their way into the human heart and become a part of our circle of family and friends. Addison would have been in good company with our Cheeto loving Louis...he too found us and not us him! I myself am very partial to redheads and probably would have had my heart stolen by Addison if we had ever met. Your tribute to him is touching and memorable. Always remember him with a smile and a giggle ........Pam

Lana Manis said...

Oh Susan, I'm so sorry about Addison. He was a gorgeous animal.

Anonymous said...

Susan,

Thanks for stopping by for a visit to my blog and reading the letter for Josie. I hope you are feeling some better. It takes time. This is the second animal that I have had pass over. My other dog I had seven years. Take comfort that in time you will remember the times that Addison brought you fun and comfort.
Kris

Lea said...

Addison is so beautiful, a true lion in cat's clothing... I can feel how much space he filled, and I know that empty place and that silence. It is huge...

I am so glad he found you and your family, he knew where his true home was, and knew how loved he would be his long and glorious life...

Thank you for sharing Addison O'Malley with us dearest Susan...

bluemuf said...

After the sadness of loss, beautiful memories will always be with you. Our beloved fur friends carve themselves into our hearts and will remain there always.

Karen

BumbleVee said...

they become a part of our family and we never forget them...I still think about and even dream about my older cats from many years ago..a mother and daughter who lived to be 21 and 20 .....

Pinkie Denise said...

Dear Susan,
I am so saddened by the new of your cat Addison. I know a pet can bring so much to a family and home...We just gained a new addition to ours. I am sure he had a loving and well lived life.
Take care Pinkie Denise

Christine LeFever said...

I so love "baby kitties" for that is what I call ALL cats, and that was a beautiful tribute to a dear and devoted friend.

Christine (Zwee!!!!)

Unknown said...

Oh, I am so so sorry. I know how hard it is to lose a pet.

Sending lots of hugs to you,
Amy

http://loveconquersall.typepad.com/my_weblog/ said...

"Oh my goodness!!!!" You and I need to really give each other a big hug!! I too am devastated by something that accrued just in the past week!! Please come by to feel my comfort for you...I do not lie, I know exactly what you are going through, the pain is real!!

Your beloved companion was so lucky to have YOU!! He knew he was deeply loved!

Love and hugs,
Jeannene

The Feathered Nest said...

I'm so very sorry for the loss of your precious baby ~ aren't they our furry babies? He must haved loved his home with you to have lived such a long, happy life. My thoughts are with you as you're missing this wonderful, dear friend. xxoo, Dawn

Secondhandrose said...

How kind of you to take him in. Hugs to the family.
Karen

Doreen Frost said...

Oh Susan, I'm so sorry. He sounds like he was a wonderful fellow!!! So glad he found you to share his life with.

Big hugs to you.

Doreen

Rella said...

Beautiful boy, such sweetness. They become such companions. I am sorry for the passing of this darling member of your family.

xo Rella

Donna O'Brien said...

Oh, Susan. I just now came to visit and now see you have a bit of a broken heart. So sorry about Addison. But in true Miss maddie style your closing line made me smile. Hope you're doing okay.
XO
D.

Naturegirl said...

A beautiful tribute to your Addie.
I know only too well the sadness felt in losing a pet who becomes a part of our family.Peace be to your Addie who now has wings. Hugs to you.

Sandy said...

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved pet.

Suzanne said...

Susan~ I'm very sorry for the loss of your sweet friend. He was a beautiful kitty.

Donna O'Brien said...

Just checking on you...
XO
D.

Stacey said...

WE recently lost our dear Finigin. It's never easy. His Spirit stays beside and we all miss the little boy.. and all boy he was! Molly has found us, a rescue pup from Puerto Rico. As we are busy here with all that is summer, it is nice to have a new baby among us. Funny, how they find you.

FrenchGardenHouse said...

Susan, I'm a bit late, but I'm so sorry for your loss. You will have him in your memories forever, but I know you will miss him greatly. Our animals are such special friends.xo Lidy

Karen from A`Musements said...

Since the comments have not been closed for this post, I am hoping it is never too late to express our sorrow for the loss of beloved Addie, to you and your family (and his two Siamese sisters). Only a person who has the experience of loving and being loved by an animal can fully understand the depths at which they touch our souls. Knowing how much he adored you (that is a given) and the untold lengths that you would go to, to please him (another given) we know you will always miss his presence and that he will surely miss yours.... We hope he has found a new friend, one who looks like a short-haired counterpart, in our boy, Big Tom. And that they wile away the warm, lazy days, chasing that elusive bird you mentioned and basking in their favorite sun spot.
We love you~~
Karen and Birdie