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cat
November 2009 
goodbye, Splat!
Posted on Jan 12th, 2009
by 
Nicole
Nicole
Our darling and very mischievious black cat Splat had been ill for a few days, but none of us were anxious. Surely it was just a tummy upset. But he became very listless yesterday and we became anxious. We had decided to take him to the vet this morning.
At 5 am my 18 year old son, who was about to have his shower and get going to school, came to my room distraught - "Mom, it's Splat - I think he's dead!" I had been sound asleep and it took a while for it to sink in.
He had died on the bathroom floor, just lying on his side and was already stiff. My son and I cried and kept telling each other what a shock it was. We wrapped him in a towel and put him in a quiet spot in the garage until we could take him later this morning to the vet for cremation.
Then I waited in dread for my 12 year old to wake up so I could break the news to her.
After cuddling with me for a few minutes, she went off to be alone, and has been mostly silent and tearful since (I kept her home from school), interspersing her tears and reproachful looks with requests for another pet.
I don't know. I just can't think of another pet right now.
Splat was such a very difficult cat, unpredictable and prone to sudden stealth attacks on us from nowhere. It will probably be weeks before we stop carefully closing all the bedroom doors to protect from his mischief messes. Our other cat, Chelsea, has been with us 10 years and he made her life hell by pouncing on her.
And then he could be so sweet and cuddly when he wanted to be. Especially with my youngest, he would be the most indulgent with her when she wanted long cuddles.
We all had gotten very very attached to him in the year since he arrived unexpectedly on our doorstep. My older daughter had brought him to us in the middle of the night (already named) and explained that her friend owned him, but now had to find him a new home as the landlord didn't allow cats. I still have to break the news to her. Edit - turned out my son called her about twenty minutes ago - we have been chatting online about it, with my youngest.
I never was successful at getting a good picture of him. He was a perfect jet black, no white anywhere, with beautiful yellow eyes. This picture looks very much like him, down to the devilish gleam.
This is our first pet belonging to the whole family to die. My 12 year old had a goldfish who died last year, but that was so different.
We will miss you so!
At 5 am my 18 year old son, who was about to have his shower and get going to school, came to my room distraught - "Mom, it's Splat - I think he's dead!" I had been sound asleep and it took a while for it to sink in.
He had died on the bathroom floor, just lying on his side and was already stiff. My son and I cried and kept telling each other what a shock it was. We wrapped him in a towel and put him in a quiet spot in the garage until we could take him later this morning to the vet for cremation.
Then I waited in dread for my 12 year old to wake up so I could break the news to her.
After cuddling with me for a few minutes, she went off to be alone, and has been mostly silent and tearful since (I kept her home from school), interspersing her tears and reproachful looks with requests for another pet.
I don't know. I just can't think of another pet right now.
Splat was such a very difficult cat, unpredictable and prone to sudden stealth attacks on us from nowhere. It will probably be weeks before we stop carefully closing all the bedroom doors to protect from his mischief messes. Our other cat, Chelsea, has been with us 10 years and he made her life hell by pouncing on her.
And then he could be so sweet and cuddly when he wanted to be. Especially with my youngest, he would be the most indulgent with her when she wanted long cuddles.
We all had gotten very very attached to him in the year since he arrived unexpectedly on our doorstep. My older daughter had brought him to us in the middle of the night (already named) and explained that her friend owned him, but now had to find him a new home as the landlord didn't allow cats. I still have to break the news to her. Edit - turned out my son called her about twenty minutes ago - we have been chatting online about it, with my youngest.
I never was successful at getting a good picture of him. He was a perfect jet black, no white anywhere, with beautiful yellow eyes. This picture looks very much like him, down to the devilish gleam.
This is our first pet belonging to the whole family to die. My 12 year old had a goldfish who died last year, but that was so different.
We will miss you so!
Access: Public
Oh Nicole, I am in heart with you… but my stray cats have some black little kittens, they look like small furballs and the sleep on my chairs outside… do you want me to send you one? I know that you do not wish to think to another pet right now, and understand that, but you might save another life to love you forever… I know that I can not send you one from here with the Canadian pet rules, but am sure there are little furry babies there waiting to have a new blessed home and someone to love them… I remember when I lost my old dog, in December 2000, I went to my ex, he was a vet, well he is, and he did not ask me anything, he just gave me a small ball of fur, it was a chow chow puppyand this is how he expressed his emotions… and I will never forget the puppy in my arms… Later have decided I need another dog so this is how I got the spoiled bichone… I know is difficult, but life is much more difficult without them… and what I have done, I have waited for a while hoping that my old dog spirit will come with a new body… but this is a whole another story.. Love you Nicole… Hugs…
Nicole.
I’m so sorry to hear about your precious little kitty.
Much love to you an your family.
Splat sounded like a very special companion
Lili,
That is so very sweet of you! I would like to hear more about your pet stories.
Splat is of course irreplaceable, but I know my youngest will keep the pressure on until I get another pet.
Ashley,
He was really special. Crazy, zany, had us tearing our hair out sometimes but such a delight, so much laughter, just to see him tearing around the room pinging off the walls on one of his manic sprees. He was so full of life, I can’t believe he was so fragile in the end.
Nicole,
Sorry to hear about Splat’s passing. Cats can bring us so much pleasure with their crazy antics and unexplainable behavior. Even when they’re bad, it’s sometimes difficult not to laugh once the episode has passed. Perhaps his sudden death was better than a long, drawn-out illness. May you find peace in his passing and may you always hold memories of him close to your heart.
Hugs!
-Susan
Susan, yes, that’s a comfort. The vet said that if he went down that quickly, even if we had brought him in a couple of days ago, they probably couldn’t have done anything.
There’s no chance of his memory passing from our hearts, for sure. He is unforgettable.
I’m sorry for the loss of your cat darling. I used to be a cat person and know how that feels. They become so much part of the family.
I’m saying used to because my daughter has an allergy and therefore I haven’t had a cat in ages.
I’m sure you’ll miss him but he’s in cat heaven now (even little cat devils go there), sending you sweet miauws and you can hear those in your hearts.
Oh, Nicole, I am so sorry about this. Poor Splat….poor all of you. What a shock to lose him so suddenly. And for you son to find him like that. Big hugs for all of you as you go through the grieving. We lost all three of our cats within three years of each other and have decided not to get any more. Each cat had his/her lovey side….and his her “devil” side as well. We cried many tears when they left, but now rather enjoy the quieter more spacious house.Good luck in your decision whether to get another or not. And blessings in your grief. Love, K
Nicole,
So very sorry about Splat. Our family has lost many pets in the years. Our first dog had to be put down due to old age, loss of hearing, lethargy. She was 15. My sister came to the school where I was attending classes and she told me that Dad had to put the dog down. They are members of our family regardless. They sense every mood around us and protect and nurture us. May your family find solace and the serentity knowing that he is without pain now. God be with your family in this trying time.
sniff…and hug
So lucky to have a nice family in his life…xo
{{hugs}}}
pets are family….so sorry about your loss.
I am so sorry about your loss. I had a cat named felix and he was also jet black with yellow eyes, but he had long hair. I lost him about 6 months ago and it has been hard. The good thing is you will always remember splat and he things that made him who he was, and what you loved so much about him.
…peace to Splat…
I’ve never owned a cat.. they are a special breed. No words. Just peace.
Nicole,
I know the pain…I can relate from my own experience. I hold your hand ….
Hugs Nicole… I got today this article from a friend at work and I thought it was for you… Love to you and you family and we are all near you: Lili, Bisu, Fox Mulder, Jack, the frogs, the cats outside, and the birds… We all pray for Love and Light and may Splat find his peace… Love you…
Oh Nicole, I’m so sorry….funny how those sweet, cuddly, furry things can overcome our hearts. I have a little dog that I am way too close to, I understand the feelings. Saying a little prayer for you and the whole fam…sending a smile and hug to comfort the tears and pain ;-)
sending love, comfort and I am sorry for the loss of your beloved pet…
May you find comfort in knowing the love, peace and family you have given to your blessed little friend….
Praying for you all…
Love and hugs..
Ange..
Oh dear, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your kitty cat. It is so traumatizing for children (and adults) to lose pets; but if I am not mistaken, kitties (especially black ones) have a tendency to “hang around” even after they are gone … as protectors … even guides… at least this is what I have heard from a friend of mine.
My best friend sent me here once and I pass it along to those who will find comfort in it - I hope it does so for you & your family. The littlest one might benefit the most from it? The Rainbow Bridge.
Nicole, I miss my cat Godfather. Godfather hated all human beings that weren’t me and somehow that made it more special.
Godfather, being a feral cat, did what many feral cats did…he just up and disappeared one day. However, being in an area with many feral cats, I remember finding one cat (creatively named Smokey) dead, having been struck by a car…I was about twelve years old at the time, and I remember the trauma associated with it.
I hope you stay strong, because I can remember how much a cat meant to me.
Our loss is so much a healthy express on our ability to love, cherish and be. Warm hug Nicole to you and your children.
Oh my heart goes out to you and your family, it’s always so tragic to lose a family pet!
“Splat was such a very difficult cat, unpredictable and prone to sudden stealth attacks on us from nowhere.” Hehe this reminds me of the cat that I grew up with who died a few years ago, just like Splat, he would attack you from under the table or from his hiding places but he could also be very purry and cuddly at times too.
I’m glad you and your family have eachother, all the best wishes!
<3 Belinda
Big love to you Nicole, your children and to Splat at this time of his passing - may he have a wonder filled rebirth. It is very precious to love a being
Nicole, you and your children can post a tribute to Splat on the Passing pod if you feel doing this will assist,
much love
May Splat enjoy kitty heaven & purr in your daughter’s ear as she sleeps to comfort her. Please accept my condolences for your loss. He was a beauty.
<3 Ayla
Yesterday was a long and painful day, made lighter and full of love by all of you wonderful people. I saw these messages arriving all through work, choir practice, in the night when I tossed and turned, this morning when i was dashing to the dentist to get a chipped tooth fixed (very minor, didn’t even need freezing).
Thank you, thank you, for your support, your kind thoughts, and each of you stopping by to share words of comfort.
Now, I can finally respond to each of you.
Lucienne, thank you, the picture came through beautifully, where did you find it? It’s perfect. It’s good to know even the little devils get to cat heaven :)
Kathy, I do have a decision to make about getting another cat. Our other cat, Chelsea, has always been so healthy, but she is getting on for 11 years old now, and my priority right now is to make sure that for the rest of the time she is with us, she doesn’t go through the terrible persecution she experienced with Splat. Seeing her now, so content to walk anywhere in the house without fear, so much like her old self again, gives me determination that she should continue feel like this is her home where she can relax.
gina, my hat is off to you, having survived this so many times.
Janie, thanks for that thought, he certainly got a lot of love and attention from us all, and seemed to have a happy life, in his own way. Though short.
Dawn, hugs to you too, there is nothing like hugs to take the edge off at times like this.
Tom, he was definitely family, yes…
Lynn, I’m so sorry to hear about your dear Felix. We always miss them, don’t we? Time going by doesn’t remove the loss.
Kathy, what a beautiful picture. You always astonish me with what you find, just the perfect image for each occasion. That image is serenity embodied!
Liza, cats are amazing beings. So independent in many ways yet deeply entwined in our hearts and lives when they allow us to be their humans. Thanks for understanding so well.
Lili, oh, thank you for the article, and continuing to surround us with your compassion and your great heart!
Missy, you always care so deeply, thank you!
ange, that’s really sweet, I appreciate your gentle thoughts very much.
Rachel, it will be interesting to see if he does persist as a presence, I will let you know. Thank you for the Rainbow Bridge, and I will certainly share it with my youngest. Hugs!
Eric, you must have missed that cat a lot. And the shock of finding that other cat dead, it always hits hard but especially in childhood.
Terrill, that’s a beautiful way of looking at loss, hugs!
Belinda, I smiled reading about your little ninja attacker. You’re right, we do comfort each other, though I find also there is a feedback effect in the pain - it hurts me to see the grief of my children.
Anna, what a thoughtful suggestion, I will stop by the Passing pod and share a tribute there. Thank you!
ayla, it’s good to “see” you here, I have missed you. Thanks for your compassion, I love that image of him purring comfort in my daughter’s ear. I hope she does hear those purrs. She shared tearfully yesterday that the night he died, she dreamed he was well and full of bounce again.
Again, my heartfelt thanks to each one of you for your concern and care. Big love!
Dearest Eli, I just realised I skipped over you, sorry! Thank you my friend for knowing so well what we’re going through and being your warm and comforting self.
they offer so much to us -
sending you love & light
they do, oh so very much just by their presence! thank you…
Deepest Sympathies to you and your family Nicole! I have a fond spot in my heart for cats, and every cat I have had was homeless and picked me as their new owner.
Their personalities are so amazing and varied, and I love their sense of independence. They definitely have their own preferences and agenda.
Our pets are friends, companions, and have been my teacher. It may sound silly, but cats have taught me how to breath and observe (in the taking it all in sense).
My mother views death as the “Grand Promotion”. I like that view as it suggests something bigger and in a way that would be a custom fit.
Prayerfully,
z
I ADORE cats…never been without one…or 50 :-D
I am here with you…lending presence…These little darling spirits soooo touch our lives, even when you remember their mischievous antics (which they are famous for! Especially those stealth attacks!)…it is with fondness of their companionship.
I know Splat will be missed, am so sure he was dearly loved.
(love the name Splat BTW :-D )
Ben, I can always expect you to come up with wonderfully thoughtful and heartfull responses. It doesn’t sound silly at all, I have often relied on my cats to help me, just seeing how they look peacefully around at the room, and remain still, being who they are, has helped me a lot.
I also like that idea of death as the Grand Promotion. Wow!
Ariela, I feel and appreciate your presence. The name, yes, I have often gotten reactions on that. My daughter’s friend named him after his habit as a little kitten of just “splatting” himself down wherever - he always did, even as a full grown cat…
Another thing about cats or dogs for that matter since this topic is here… ;o)
Have you ever just watched a cat especially outside? They just sit and watch, and zing their attention moves. It could be a moth flying over head or a bird taking flight. There attention is so spontaneous, natural, and in tune with life as it is happening. It is totally present in life. They are just a resting openness that moves in response to life and at times just takes it all in.
And then a noise, and their head turns and they are a living breathing sensation in tune with the sound their attention eagerly searching to connect with the source of the sound.
I see the same thing with Dogs, and some breeds really seem in tune to sniffing. I love to watch a dog waving its nose in the air outside sniffing for something interesting. Those nostrils are really moving. Sometimes the head moves around, and if the smell is really interesting their eyes narrow. It is like up periscope I’ve got something here. So engaged with life in its simplest manifestation they are.
Magical creatures and teachers those wonderful pets. No wonder we miss them so much when they are gone.
o.k. I am stopping now, I am getting myself all misty eyed about our companions who have gotten their promotion. I sure do miss them.
Thank you Nicole this entry was a vibrant reminder and blessing about life. Another gift from Splat through Nicole.
z
Yes, purely present… Rilke’s Eighth Duino Elegy:
Source: A.S. Kline, 2001 - other elegies here
The Eighth Elegy
The creature gazes into openness with all
its eyes. But our eyes are
as if they were reversed, and surround it,
everywhere, like barriers against its free passage.
We know what is outside us from the animal’s
face alone: since we already turn
the young child round and make it look
backwards at what is settled, not that openness
that is so deep in the animal’s vision. Free from death.
We alone see that: the free creature
has its progress always behind it,
and God before it, and when it moves, it moves
in eternity, as streams do.
We never have pure space in front of us,
not for a single day, such as flowers open
endlessly into. Always there is world,
and never the Nowhere without the Not: the pure,
unwatched-over, that one breathes and
endlessly knows, without craving. As a child
loses itself sometimes, one with the stillness, and
is jolted back. Or someone dies and is it.
Since near to death one no longer sees death,
and stares ahead, perhaps with the large gaze of the creature.
Lovers are close to it, in wonder, if
the other were not always there closing off the view…..
As if through an oversight it opens out
behind the other……But there is no
way past it, and it turns to world again.
Always turned towards creation, we see
only a mirroring of freedom
dimmed by us. Or that an animal
mutely, calmly is looking through and through us.
This is what fate means: to be opposite,
and to be that and nothing else, opposite, forever.
If there was consciousness like ours
in the sure creature, that moves towards us
on a different track – it would drag us
round in its wake. But its own being
is boundless, unfathomable, and without a view
of its condition, pure as its outward gaze.
And where we see future it sees everything,
and itself in everything, and is healed for ever.
And yet in the warm waking creature
is the care and burden of a great sadness.
Since it too always has within it what often
overwhelms us – a memory,
as if what one is pursuing now was once
nearer, truer, and joined to us
with infinite tenderness. Here all is distance,
there it was breath. Compared to that first home
the second one seems ambiguous and uncertain.
O bliss of little creatures
that stay in the womb that carried them forever:
O joy of the midge that can still leap within,
even when it is wed: since womb is all.
And see the half-assurance of the bird,
almost aware of both from its inception,
as if it were the soul of an Etruscan,
born of a dead man in a space
with his reclining figure as the lid.
And how dismayed anything is that has to fly,
and leave the womb. As if it were
terrified of itself, zig-zagging through the air, as a crack
runs through a cup. As the track
of a bat rends the porcelain of evening.
And we: onlookers, always, everywhere,
always looking into, never out of, everything.
It fills us. We arrange it. It collapses.
We arrange it again, and collapse ourselves.
Who has turned us round like this, so that,
whatever we do, we always have the aspect
of one who leaves? Just as they
will turn, stop, linger, for one last time,
on the last hill, that shows them all their valley - ,
so we live, and are always taking leave.
OMG Nicole that was Magnificent! I am going to savor this one and let it fill me to the absolute brim.
You certainly know how to rip me apart in the most wonderful ways.
Love You!
z
The Duino Elegies are surely Rilke’s masterpiece. Of all his works that I love, they have the most incredible richness and depth.
Oh, poor Splat. Sounds like he had a mind of his own…So cute he was too….(I love his name :)
Oh, I can tell you guys will miss him a lot…
Big hugs for all of you…
thank you dear Amy! Hugs!
very sorry to hear splat has moved on without much notice. it is always difficult to lose a friend (especially the cuddly frisky ones ). continue to celebrate his life and the moments you all were fortunate enough to share together. happy thought’s of splat will be in the hearts of many thanks to you.
You and yours are in my thoughts Nicole. Pets add so much and leave such holes both literally and figuratively.
You relay the painful process of remembering and letting go in a wonderful way.
Blessings, David
Lenore and David, your words of comfort mean a lot to me. Hugs!
What a beautiful kitty God splat is. I can feel the sadness of your heart as I imagine my beloved Chandra leaving us one day. I hold each of you in awareness with Peace, Love, Joy and Comfort.
Oh, thank you for your beautiful compassion! Big hugs!
Godspeed, Splat. You’ve touched many lives.
Hugs Nicole.
Samme
Thank you, Samme! I have such awesome friends!
Oh Nicole, I’m so sorry. I feel your loss and I share your sadness. And look at what Splat has engendered even here on these pages; humans sharing, caring, reaching out. Hugs and peace.
Thank you, Albert. It is indeed beautiful to see the sharing and the love here, and we are very grateful to have known him.
G’day goddess,
I have been a tad busy of late and not spent too much time on Gaia. I was moved to come to you today, and now I see why.
I can go on for ages with all the wisdom I have learned about our loved ones passing over…yet it has never taken away the pain, for me, of losing a special person or special animal that has touched and transformed my life and captured my heart.
Sending hugs filled with love and healing so ease your sadness and make room for you to enjoy your Splat memories as he moves on to other realms. I bet he will always remember his loving, caring human family. And all that love is forever captured as Universal energy to be shared by all of us.
that is a very comforting thought, dear jaguar goddess. love to you!
Nicole,
I had not idea about Splat and I am so sorry for your loss. You must miss that crazy little cat, and I wonder how you all are doing without Splat, especially your youngest.
My heart goes out to you all.
Much love and compassion,
mary
aw thanks so much Mary. Yes, we do miss him very much…
Nicole,
I’m sorry to hear that your beloved cat ‘Splat’ (What a name!) had transitted to the other side. You must be terribly missing him. I know what it feels like to miss an animal friend who was very special. I had a black cat just like yours but it was she. I had to give her to someone I didn’t know when I had to leave the US so suddenly a few years ago. I don’t know where she is now and how she is doing. I miss her a lot and even talk to her as if she is with me all the time as I believe she is with me in spirit wherever I go and help me :) Missing is hard whether it is from death of just separation. But we know there is no parting because we are all connected no matter what the condition is. Just knowing that is a big comfort for me in spite of physical separation from my beloved(!) cat ‘Isabel’. I hope you can get a big hug from ‘Splat’ everyday…. I know he will :)
Gratitude and blessings,
Harmony
That’s amazing!!!
I read that departed animals can transfuse their eneries into other forms of animals of life beings to stay around with their guardians.
Who knows? Maybe he blended himself with your other cat to be with you!
Wow, imagine you have a cat with two cats’ spirits (or more?^^) in it. Jackpot! :)
I am so sorry for your loss. My husband and I are big cat lovers. Our oldest cat is now 15. We really don't want to think about losing him. Cats leave pawprints on your heart and it can be so painful when they die (or change shape like I normally say). That's a beautiful picture of him.