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Saturday, June 11, 2011

We buried our friend today


































Yesterday, his last with us, was Brisbane autumn at its most glorious.


In the early morning I sat beside him, he on his fat feather cushion, me curled up on the carpet. Later as the sun rose higher I carried him outside (his legs were so wobbly he kept falling down) and found a warm sunny spot by the pool for him to rest. He spent the whole day there; lapping water from the edge, listening to the fountain, watching the shadows.

Late in the afternoon when the warmth of the sun was gone I carried him back upstairs to his cushion and the heater and I told him how much I loved him.

He died a little after 6pm, so quietly, so peacefully and I held him close feeling his warmth, loving him.

Wilbur was with us for 18 years, the girls do not know life without him.

I can't find the words to tell you how much my heart aches, so I leave you with these from Nanushka:

'My best friend
died last summer -
that lovable little character 
who wore her own fur coat -
She was my confidante,
my comfort
and my clown -
she was my warmth,
my welcome home -
We buried her near wild mint and thyme -
I wept for her all winter,
then in early spring
white daisies
made a garland for her grave
where passing birds and butterflies
call in to visit natures shrine -
Who knows
what happens to us when we die -
I like to think
her spirit is running free,
perhaps to grace a person
in some other life -
what a wonderful human being
that would be ...

18 comments:

Natalie @ the little gnomes home said...

Oh Shannon, my thoughts are with you all. Such beautiful words....

lisbonlioness said...

Goodbye, Wilbur, I am lost for words.

Nadja said...

I know your sadness...I had two brothers who lived for 15 and 17 years. The latter had a death very much like your Wilbur, very quiet and peaceful.

Linda said...

My dear friend, the tears are rolling down my face as I read this. Your heart must be so sore, I am terribly sorry you are going through this pain...
Sending you Love across the ocean...
Love Linda

XYZZ said...

*hugs* I'm so sorry

Bending Birches said...

bless your sweet little kitty's heart and soul...I am sure he had such a wonderful life<3

eidolons said...

My cat loving heart goes out to you.

Rebecca said...

i don't know you without him either... :-( made me cry. XX

Simone said...

So sorry to hear you lost a loved furry family member. Reaching the grand cat age of 18 shows he was well cared for and had a lovely 18 years with you. A beautiful poem, too.

My thoughts are with you and your children as they adjust to the loss.

The Awakened Heart said...

How heartbreaking for you and your girls. Oh but what a wonderfully peaceful way to go. To be so loved and nurtured on his last day - I'm sure he was just brimming over with all the love you have shown him. And you were so blessed to have him for so long. What a special, treasured relationship. Goodbye Wilbur, may your final destination be as filled with love as this one has been.

m. bloom said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
m. bloom said...

So sorry to hear about the loss of your Wilbur. Now you have a kitty angel-spirit to purr beneath the lavender bushes in your garden...

woolies said...

ah, you just made me cry. I'm so sorry for your loss. Our furry children mean the world to us. Wilbur was blessed to have you as his family.

jrodgers said...

I dont know you...but i recently sat with our dog of 12 years as he passed away...i just wanted to say that i am so sorry for your family's loss.

anna said...

I'm so sorry to hear your sad news. Wilbur looks like a beautiful and well-loved pet. Sending peaceful, healing thoughts his way and yours.

W-S Wanderings said...

Oh, I am here so late...I didn't realize. And now I am all teary. I am so sorry for your loss. Your sweet Wilbur looked JUST like my Dusty, whom I grew up with. She was 17 when she died at home. So loved, just like your Wilbur. My heart goes out to you all...

DaffodilAngel said...

Hi Shannon, I love your blog and was very sorry to hear the news about your beautiful cat, Wilbur. With best wishes, :)

Anonymous said...

Daughter mine, you write so beautifully. You've made me cry inside. love, themother