Amos’s Ashes

Our cat who died a couple of weeks ago, Amos, came home last Friday. The vet had sent his remains off to a pet crematory, where several of his forbearers had gone for final disposition, now residing in Barbara’s china cabinet. We picked up Amos at the vet’s, on our way to a friend’s party. Feeling sentimental, Barbara carried the container holding Amos’s earthly remains to the party, to show to friends.

Several hours later, we returned home. The next morning, the paperwork for the crematory and the small envelope containing a clipping of Amos’s fur were on the table next to the front door, but the white plastic container holding his ashes was nowhere to be found. Eventually, after exhausting all other possibilities, we found that Amos had remained behind at the party. He probably enjoyed it. Tomorrow we go back to our friend’s and reclaim Amos.

Tomorrow night, Amos will join his departed comrades, Tucker, Sam and Stella on the top shelf of the china cabinet, among various china, crystal and curio pieces, as well as a large collection of Nun dolls, statues, toys and other objects collected by Barbara over the years. This cabinet is a sort of memory bank for Barbara, holding so many things to keep her good times in mind.

Welcome home, Amos.

More Cats

The departure of two of our three cats a couple of weeks ago threw Babs into a depressed state, for she does love her animals. Amos died of a stubborn infection, and Chelsea fled from the Vet’s parking lot on the way to be vaccinated. Going from three cats to one was a wrenching blow. So, after discussion, this past Thursday afternoon three cats arrived from the McKamey Animal Center. A year old formerly male gray tabby, and two kittens, one calico and one male gray tabby. Babs is happy, I am busy as a, well, cat herder, and the grandchildren’s delight knows no bounds. The grandchildren named the two kittens, Georgia is the calico’s name and the little tabby is Jackson. The big Tabby retains his shelter name, Carter. Good, sturdy Southern names, all of them.

Introducing, Jackson, with Carter:

Buddies

And, Miss Georgia:

The color-coordinated cat.

Amos and Stella and Tucker…

…and Harvey and Tazy and Harriet the Wonder Airedale and Sam and Chuck and Mr. Mange and Baron – too many pets gone on before us to number.

Amos, whose recovery looked likely, reversed course early this morning and joined that loyal company of cats and dogs who only left us when they could not help it. I took Amos back to the Vet when he developed breathing difficulties this morning just after breakfast, and was called from the clinic just at twelve noon. The doctor was upset and apologetic, saying that Amos simply stopped breathing, failing to respond to CPR or anything else.