family, friends, grief, shenanigans

Goodbye, Kipper

Posted by katelaity on

Kipper in Window

He is gone, he of the splay foot and the silky coat. My little buddy, my little Jean Marais beastie. He’s Connor’s cuddle buddy. He’s my alarm clock; even this morning I awoke thinking I’d heard that impatient yowl. He was always quite the talker. And always underfoot: I always feared one day I’d trip down the stairs as he wound around my feet.

Things happened pretty fast. What we thought was his teeth flaring up again turned about to be a combination of underlying problems. He went from appearing fine and healthy just a few days ago to this. The vet — who’s so very English but kind — let me be with him as he slipped away. Bertie came home at lunchtime to help me bury him. I put a veve for Erzulie on the little white cardboard coffin and we wrapped him in the Gossip Girl lap blanket (thanks, Brenda) that he loved to lie on, so he went off in style.

So now we have a pet cemetery at the house. Robert’s going to put Jordan’s ashes next to Kipper’s marble slab. It’s so strange to be without him.

25 Comments

  1. katisimone says:
    October 7, 2014 at 11:51

    😦

    1. katelaity says:
      October 7, 2014 at 13:49

      😦

  2. realthog says:
    October 7, 2014 at 11:56

    All sympathies in what must be a rotten time for you. I know how hard it is when cats go.

    1. katelaity says:
      October 7, 2014 at 13:50

      Thanks so much.

  3. Mom & Dad says:
    October 7, 2014 at 13:47

    How sad! Our thoughts are with you. Kipper was a very special cat. Mom & Dad

    1. katelaity says:
      October 7, 2014 at 13:50

      Thanks, Dad & Mom.

  4. Susan Simko says:
    October 7, 2014 at 13:50

    Ah, no! So sorry Kate. I still remember the time when you were moving and he got up inside the box spring of the bed and we had one heck of a time getting him out.

    1. katelaity says:
      October 7, 2014 at 13:51

      Moving was a big adventure for him, for sure. At least we got him out of Texas.

  5. John Laity says:
    October 7, 2014 at 13:52

    We’re sorry to hear about Kipper. He was a very special kitty. Mom & Dad

    1. katelaity says:
      October 7, 2014 at 14:01

      Thanks, Dad.

  6. Crispinus says:
    October 7, 2014 at 14:41

    I’m so sorry to hear this. He had a very happy home and a very loving human.

    1. katelaity says:
      October 7, 2014 at 14:52

      Thanks, Dan.

  7. Carol says:
    October 7, 2014 at 16:46

    I’m so sorry for your loss. I enjoyed all your stories and pictures of him–especially the skype pictures. And I’m glad you had each other.

    1. katelaity says:
      October 7, 2014 at 16:48

      Thanks, Carol. I’m glad I got to share him with the world, too.

  8. Widdershins says:
    October 7, 2014 at 17:22

    Losing our furry companions is so hard. 😦 Bon Voyage, Kipper.

    1. katelaity says:
      October 7, 2014 at 19:16

      Thanks.

  9. PaulDBrazill says:
    October 7, 2014 at 19:11

    Sorry to hear that, Kate.

    1. katelaity says:
      October 7, 2014 at 19:15

      Sorry to hear about your critter, too. It’s gutting.

  10. SL Johnson says:
    October 7, 2014 at 23:20

    So sorry, Kate – losing a treasured furry friend is the pits.

    1. katelaity says:
      October 8, 2014 at 12:46

      Thanks, QoE.

  11. Todd Mason says:
    October 8, 2014 at 03:31

    Very sorry, Kate…having just lost a cat, not too long ago, the reminder of what we can and can’t do (we can love our cats, and hope to make their lives better, but we can’t arrest time for them any more than for us) is often so ungracious. Glad you’ve been able to spend some more time with fuzzy K, even up to the end. I’ll miss being his spokesape.

    1. katelaity says:
      October 8, 2014 at 12:47

      Thanks, I’m sorry you guys lost one too.

      1. Todd Mason says:
        October 10, 2014 at 17:38

        Thanks…it’s still a bit strange that she’s not around, though the other three keep us busy. http://socialistjazz.blogspot.com/2014/06/emma-cat-2004-2014.html

  12. Twelveskin Hoona says:
    October 8, 2014 at 08:53

    A no-thumb salute to a fine cat-o-mate.
    My fondest memory of Lord Kipper – in fact, my only memory of anything – is of his sitting on my head. A cat hat for me, a dome home for him (ensconced on a bonce). It was a sensible living arrangement.

    1. katelaity says:
      October 8, 2014 at 12:47

      I think I have a picture of him licking your hair. Your expression is priceless.

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