Thursday, February 18, 2010

R.I.P. Smoky


This is our big boy cat Smoke. We had to put him down today. He got sick, seemingly in 24 hours, and when a veterinarian examined him this morning, he found his red blood cells were down to nearly nothing. It was probably feline leukemia.

It's a pretty sad day around here but I wanted to leave a tribute to a great cat.

I used to joke that when he was younger he liked to read.

He adopted us one day but grew to be larger than either of his step-sisters. Even so he was the most placid of the three. Jazz (on the left) used to hiss and growl at him but Smoke never retaliated. Occasionally Muggles (center) used to have words with him. Smoke just gazed at him.

While he was the only one of the cats we allowed to go outdoors, he spent a lot of time in contemplative poses inside.

But when he did go out he seemed to be a natural poser for my camera.

Or a snoozer on my deck chair.

He was nimble, whether tip-toeing around the edge of a fountain for a sip or two of water . . .

. . . or doing his gravity-defying walk across the top of the fence.

He liked to snooze on the tiles, while keeping a lookout for any brave small birds, or lizards, or bugs.

He is gone now and he will be missed. Our Smoky.

25 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry. He was a beautiful cat, and he sounds like a good friend.

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  2. Sorry to hear it Catalyst. Always sad to see a good pet leave.

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  3. you are the 2nd person today who lost a pet. i had one pass yesterday but it wasn't one 'my' cats.
    sheesh this sucks,
    may i box one up for you?

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  4. This is sad news. He was a beautiful boy. May he rest in peace. xx


    (is that a Janson's History of Art I see on your shelf?)

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  5. Phoebe Fay - Both of those and nice to see you again. Thanks.

    Colonel - We appreciate that.

    Tombo - As I have said elsewhere, it's amazing how many tears the death of an animal can cause. Thanks.

    Joyce - My sympathy to your other friends on the loss of their pets. And NO, we have two other cats and that is enough. For now.

    Willow - Thank you. And yes, it is one of two Janson's in the house.

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  6. What a sad day. I am sorry for your loss. Isn't it's great to have the photo memories?

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  7. Losing a companion is never easy. Nice that you have the photos of him.

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  8. I am so, so sorry. I know the pain of losing an animal (many animals) and it is a hard thing. Know you did the right thing. He was a handsome cat and I will miss your posts about him.

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  9. Joan - Yes, I'm glad I took those photos.

    Steve - It was a tough day.

    QD - Thanks.

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  10. Oh, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. This is a lovely tribute to a good friend. I know you will miss him a lot. It's good that you have taken so many adorable pictures of his time with you.

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  11. Catalyst, my deep sympathies on the loss of Smoky. I have dogs and I know pets become family.

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  12. Judy - Yes, he will be missed. Thanks.

    Dagny - They definitely become a part of you. Thanks.

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  13. I'm so sorry about Smoky. It's so hard losing a pet.
    Miiko went the same way... suddenly with no warning.
    The photos are lovely - he certainly was a poser.

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  14. Dawn - I'm sorry about Miiko too. And yes, unlike some cats, Smoke seemed to like the camera.

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  15. oh Bruce... how devastating... I can't even picture how it would feel to lose my kitty right now... arrrrgh... my utmost sympathies for this loss good buddy

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  16. Mel - Thanks. Fortunately we have two others but it's still tough.

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  17. I browsed down on your blog and shed a tear in Smoky's memory. A beautiful tribute to a beautiful cat

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  18. We also had a big blue named Oscar and he was grand also gone but never forgotten.. The cats of kings.Joan T

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  19. Sorry to read about your Smokey. It's so sad to lose them, isn't it?
    My first cat when I was a little girl was called Smokey.

    We are big cat-lovers in our house - we have four of them.

    He was a beauty, your Smokey.

    Kat

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  20. Kat - Thank you so much for your thoughts. Yes, he was a great cat and he was with us too short a time.

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  21. It is devastating when you lose a good friend. I was so sorry to read this.

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  22. Sincerest condolences. I know you will remember him well. XX

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  23. Julie - Yes, the suddeness of it made it more difficult, I think.

    Meggie - We shall. Thank you.

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