Outside the sun is shining. The snowdrops are fading and primroses hold a promise of summer sun in their pale yellow flowers. The days get longer. The birdsong is louder and all around the rooks and the jackdaws begin to gather sticks and moss to make unruly nests.
There are lambs in the field by the house, bright and full of their own springs and playful running.
But my heart is raw and open for today the best of all cats had died. Words fail me.
Yesterday he jumped up into my arms where I held him warm and close.
Today I have buried him in the soft, dark earth.
There was something so very special about Maurice and only those who have had the great privilege to be so close with an animal will know that. Never broken, beyond the frail thing called love, perhaps just a mutual respect.
His death leaves me breathless.
91 comments:
Oh dear Jackie, we all know that this moment will arrive, but when i saw your title, i just knom it is time.
Even if i never saw him in real life, his incredible look touched my heart.
I do not find words, but i really understand what you mean by being so close with an animal. I had the privilege to live that with my little Igor, who died 5 years ago.
All my thoughts are for the lovely Maurice, he will be a new little star in my sky tonight.
All my thoughts to you Jackie. Thanks for sharing the beautiful adventures of the ginger family.
Veronique
My heart aches for you, Jackie. The love you and Maurice shared, and still share I do believe, have warmed so many lives. It was a love both grand and quiet and public and private. And everlasting as memory.
Please know that tears are flowing for you and your family. Your Boy was beautiful.
xoxo
Oh dear Jackie, I'm so, so sorry - my heart sank when I opened "We Three, Ginger cats tales" and saw Maurice's photograph - I'm just so sorry - Maurice was a truly beautiful character. I understand where you are - I lost Sophie, my wonderful hare, to cancer nearly two years ago - she was truly beautiful and my inspiration. I must go now and hug my cats. Krystyna (Dorset Hare)
I have walked this same path several times with some wonderful felines. I know that no words can ease the pain; only time does that. He certainly was a handsome and intriguing cat.
How terribly sad. I lost my ginger fella Mambo less than a year ago to a cancer that ate him up and I still miss him.
My best wishes to you.
Dear Maurice thank you for blessing our lives especially Jackie's.
I have shed tears for your loss.
Such a beautiful boy Maurice, his gingerness allured me.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, I share your sadness.
Run through the fields of mice and dragons Maurice, my own kitties will show you the way.....
Hugs,
~Jo
I am so sorry. I have been reading here for a short time but have fallen in love with your cats and your writing. All kitties are special but I had one that was the bestest kitty too. She left too soon. Respect. That is what makes it so right. Maurice had the love and respect that all kitties deserve and he had someone that loved and respected him and held him close at the end. I wish all kitties could live their lives this way and that when the end comes there is someone to hold them "warm and close". You and Maurice will be on my mind today, my heart breaks for you. I understand the breathlessness you speak about.
I'm so very sorry to read this Jackie!
I feel privileged that I got to meet Maurice and he did me the honour of walking with me.
Oh, this is sad, sad news. No words, just hugs sent across the ocean.
xoxo
So sad.
My deepest condolences to you and your family, both human and animal. Though I do not comment often, I have loved reading about all your beautiful cats. Fly free, sweet Maurice.
Simba and his Mom
I am so sorry to read this. Tears are pricking my eyes here, for a beautiful cat that I never met but felt as if I had. He has touched so many lives and will leave such a void in yours . . . .
I am so sorry Maurice had to go to the Rainbow Bridge. Soft purrs to you during this sad time.
Beautiful Maurice. One of the great cats that we are privileged to know. He will be full of youth and joy, bounding up the hill in front of you when you walk, taking great breaths of the spring air. But the pain is terrible and my cats and I share it.
Jane
Poor Maurice, he was a cat of many tales.
Poor you, for you loved him so.
My deepest condolences for your loss, Jackie... Maurice will be missed.
My thoughts are with you, Jackie, and I'm wiping away the tears. I'm crying for you, for Maurice, for Pixie and Martha and Elmo, and Rosie, and for all the people who have had to bury a beloved pat. I've lost a few too, over the years. Peace and love to you all.
It was time for Maurice to go but every time you walk along the path, on your own or with others he will be there with you, his soul is ever entwined with yours. Look beside you - he will be there.
Jenni xx
I'm so sorry. Such a beautiful kitty. I know you will miss him dreadfully.
I am so grateful to have met this exquisite Maurice. I weep for your loss. You were such blessings to each other.
Much love to you, the Pack and the Pride at this time. It's so hard to lose a beloved cat like Maurice.
I'm so grieved to read about Maurice. We love them so much we can't imagine life without them, and suddenly they're gone.
Thank you for sharing him with us, a little. We all send our love and grace.
Diarmuid, Fiona, and Five
(and Ann-Marie)
I am so sorry for your loss. I have no words to express it, just an aching heart for you, and tears flowing freely. Rest in the precious memories of your beautiful, sweet ginger boy.
I have dreaded the morning that I would open my blog dashboard and know that Maurice is gone. I've wondered over the years what makes some cats of the many known and loved to be so special; the bond with such rare creatures is something that draws us a little way into the mysteries of animal intelligence and response--which is awe-inspiring--and such a painful loss when they leave us too soon.
Your unique way of sharing your world and your pets with us means that we grieve each passing with you.
I join everyone else with condolences and thoughts for you and your family. I am also so very relieved that you able to be with him. Kate
Words fail me at times like this, but my thoughts are with you.
Run free, Maurice. You were loved.
Oh...oh, I am so, so sorry. My heart goes out to you in your loss. May Bast send you comfort as She welcomes him into the West.
Thank you. Feeling lost without my other half. He was too young. Ad Bastet has a good soul there to keep her company. I must get a statue of her to place in the garden where there are now more cats burried than there are in the house.
My heart cries with you, Jackie, and with the other members of your family. You have lost too many sweet cats lately. I have loved many cats and dogs, and their passing is always terrible. Maurice, dear little love.
I am so sorry :-( RIP dear Maurice
So sorry to hear about Maurice. My thoughts are with you today.
oh Jackie I am so so sorry, Maurice was a very big part of your life and I know you will miss him so much. He was blessed also in that he found you and your family to live with. Love is a two way thing and I know he must have given you all as much as you gave him. My thoughts are with you
I have been privileged only twice to live with gingers; in both cases, I adopted cats whom I knew were ill, and would die of their illness. Not even that will prepare one for the moment.
And one of them, my wonderful fierce Terry who slept next to me on my pillow, was the cat an owner waits all life long for.
There's something very, very special about gingers.
I am so sorry for your loss.
So much sorrow and no words to comfort. I know the feeling, time will ease the pain.
Oh Dear Jacki, I'm so very sorry for your loss; you are right, words simply fail.
love and hugs to you
Stacy
So sorry to read about Maurice - I have tears in my eyes as I type - losing a feline friend is a very hard thing... memories are our treasures to get us through xx
Oh, no! The minute I saw the title of your post, my heart fell. I think a book dedication is in order. You know the one I mean. Au revoir, old man. Au revoir.
So very sorry for your loss, and ours too. We all will miss him, the perfect gentleman of Gingerness...
Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about that. My sympathies to you, and to your surviving darlings.
I am so, so sorry. All cats are special, but some are even more special than that, and such a one was Maurice. A fine and a handsome cat, who will be much missed.
Our hearts all go out to you during this time.
Rest in Peace, dear Maurice.
I am so sorry. He had a fabulous life with you. Take time to mourn and then remember all the great times you had with him.
Honey Bee and Sophie send you cat energy and warmth, we are so sorry to hear of the loss of Maurice. What a beautiful companionship the two of you had. I lost my Noni kitty and Nina about 6 years ago. Had Noni for 24 years and Nina for 17, they were family and passed within a year of each other. I feel your heartbreak, it's never easy. A void is definitely felt and the pain can be overwhelming at times. We are sending you light and love along with others to help you through this time of grief. Maurice was and is a a beautiful creature, he has just shifted his energy and one day you will be reunited. Blessings and Love.
Yes, a piece of you is in the ground with your Kitty. Yes, the beautiful title image immediately said it all. No words for it- I have tears for you, too. It reminds me of the loss of my Gray Lady 10 years ago and still fresh. Your ginger team has been my cat family- not supposed to have cats, I am. So I will miss him also. I will look for his star too...
I'm so sorry. A year ago we lost ginger Kipper, it broke my heart (I actually felt it go) and I cry for him still - some animals are just tangled up in your heart and we that have known them understand your grief. He has nothing more to worry about now, and wouldn't want you to worry about him, I'm sure, but god how it hurts.
Oh Maurice.....the heartbreak of that beautiful face, words do fail at a time like this, the sorrow too heavy. We understand and know your loss, all of us readers will miss him greatly though many of us never got to know him, we knew the greatness of his noble and gentle spirit. Lori
I am so very sad and sorry to hear your news, Jackie. Sending my love and a big hug xx
After reading this post, I held my own ginger cat, Buidhe, tight and told him the story of Maurice. We send healing love to you.
Cenya and 9 cats,
Beautiful, beautiful Maurice! My heart aches deeply for you and your clan.
Thank you for sharing him with us.
Oh...no, no no. Lovely Maurice. I am so sorry you lost your beautiful Ginger baby. I loved seeing his red fur glowing on your walks. My thoughts and prayers are with you and know that you are not alone in your grief as the tears are freely falling down my face too.
Run free beautiful Maurice
Dear Jackie, I know how close Maurice and you were to each other, and I could tell that Maurice was a truly special creature. I am so sorry to read of his passing. I will remember his wise old man face, and his walks along the cat paths through the grasses, which you shared with us. When I lost my ginger guy last summer, the thought of your cat and their freedom in the outdoors comforted me. I wish peace for your heart and your family. John
So sorry to hear about Maurice Jackie, he must have been a happy cat to have such a kind and loving home with you and all the pride...
Oh dear Jackie,
We so sorry for your loss, Maurice was such a sweet boy, and we know you will miss him, and now your memories are more than precious. Our thoughts are with you during your time of loss. We thank you for sharing your art, stories, and photos with us. Hugs and kisses to you and your family members, both human and furry.
Fatty Woo, Willy Big, Tiggy-Pooh, Charlie Chowder, Walter Butters, Max the Dog, and me, Laura.
What humans are lucky about is the memories that we get to keep and you have many they will keep your love of Maurice close to your heart.
Animal loss is so much worse than human loss
Dear beautiful boy, you and your family are in my prayers tonight. May your heart soar but never stray far from those who loved you.
I am so sorry to read of your most recent loss. I feel for you and understand that,with some cats there is a deeper connection and the resulting loss is harder. My son lost his ginger, Tigg, at the beginning of the year ...a friend and companion for 15years ... he still finds it hard to talk of her. I know you have wonderful memories and the prose and photos to keep him alive in your heart.xx
Jackie, there are no words. Just be brave and muddle through. They take so much when they leave, it cannot be that we will never see them again - that would be too cruel.
Ricka
I'm so sorry for your loss.
so very very sad. His soul will always stay close to you.
Sending love, prayers and hugs for the loss of your beautiful boy...
I am so sorry to think of you without your dear friend. I pray for your heart to heal and find peace in loving him from this new distance. So very sorry for your loss.
Jackie, Maurice was a noble spirit and I thank you for sharing him and the rest of your clan with us. He's waiting for you just beyond the veil. Sleep well little one...Mary
Jackie, we are so very sorry to hear about your beautiful Maurice. I think we all know how very wonderful it is to love the special ones and how very hard it is when they leave us. The kitties and I send gentle purrs and comfort across the distance to you and your other fur children. We will light a candle to remember him and light his new path ...
'Kaika's mom
Through you I got to know Maurice, now he has gone, it makes me so sad, but having just lost a beloved dog,we know it will happen but hope not just yet, we tend to outlive them all but their memories live on.
I am weeping for your loss, and for our loss, those of us who have followed the story of the Ginger Darlings. So many others have posted such lovely and loving thoughts; I cannot say anything more eloquently than your faithful readers and friends. Please know -- from a reader on the other side of the world from you -- that you and your family are in my thoughts. I am sending up a prayer for you, and for the beloved Maurice.
How can so few words, so beautiful, leave me with tears flowing free?
All love to you and yours from me and mine (including my much-loved cheetahs). Fiona
We are so very sorry to hear about Maurice. We send you comforting purrs and headbutts to help during this sad time...
This is the news we were dreading.
So sorry that this bright flame of fur and spirit is no more.
Jackie so many people feel for you and send you and your family loving thoughts.
My heart breaks for you. There are no words- just feelings.
Maurice was a handsome boy & lived a wonderful cat life walking in the grass with his loving companions.
What more can any of us ask for?
Oh Jackie, I am so sorry to hear this. What a huge loss of such a cat; a very fine cat indeed.
I hope all the memories of him are held deep in the heart of you, for in them at least he still lives on.
My commiserations.
Jackie-thank you for sharing your beloved companion Maurice with us-you and your animals have touched us deeply and we share in your grief-as I sit here writing and weeping my tiger cat Casper is cradled in my arms meowing and licking my cheek-he knows I am sad and is trying to comfort me. This is a special love and I hurt for you and your family's loss of a very dear friend. Angie
So sorry to hear of the loss of Maurice. I may never have met him, yet through your beautiful words and photos I came to know him - a little - and I am mourning him too, shedding tears as I write. My deepest condolences to you.
So sad, even though he was only a virtual friend I'll still miss him. My heart goes out to you at this time. x
I'm so incredibly sorry about your beautiful Morris, Jackie. His specialness shone from his amazing eyes and made it easy to see why you loved him so.
I know that his ginger beauty will lights up the hills as he walks with Kiffer and Martha. Thank you for sharing his life with us. xx
*cries* Goodbye Maurice. You will be missed.
I'm so sorry, Jackie. What a sad day.
My condolences. Always a hard loss. Cecilia
So sorry to hear the news....
I hope Maurice will get along with Grumble who we lost just over a year ago. Although we now have 3 more kitties she is still missed.
Maurice was a beauty x
Oh Jackie I have neglected reading blogs recently and have only just heard about Maurice. I know you once told me he was very close to you, almost like a husband. I do not have any words to help you through the pain but wanted you to know how sorry I was to hear he is no longer walking with you.
Thoughts are with you.
love
Lyn
xxx
We are sorry to hear of your sad loss and send you our comforting purrs.
Dear Jackie, i've been away from reading blogs and just learned the news of Maurice's passing. I am so sorry. He was a magnificent cat, the epitome of gingerness, and i thank you for sharing his special essence with us. You must miss him terribly. We hope you will be comforted in some way by wonderful memories of him and the outpouring of love and compassion from your readers.
Paula and the quiltcats Sylvie, Louie, Fuzzy, and Gingy
I am so sorry to hear about sweet Maurice, Jackie. He was a true friend to you and I sympathize as I had a cat like that in my teens and I still miss him terribly. Hold his memory dear. He runs with the wild ones now.
Purrs of comfort and {hugs} from across the pond.
Oh my. Dear human I am so sorry your Maurice has left you. Much sympathy to you.
I am so so sorry for your loss. I remember that photo of the boys with their tails entwined! Precious. Our time with our companion animals is very short, but I think they know that the love we have for them is intense, and equates to a lifetime. May you have comfort in the Maurice shaped hole
Oh, we just found out. Sending comforting purrrrrrrss and gentle headbuttttss to you all.
I am late and I hardly ever comment, but Maurice was a wonderful, special cat and anyone could see that. I have a special boy who is sick and I can not even imagine him gone. I send you many hugs and love. xoxo
Having been Gifted with that rare gift of unconditional love that a furry companion gives, I grieve with you.. My Puck will be glad to show Maurice around to all the very best fishing spots and tall warm grass spots and mouse-pouncing spots beyond the Rainbow Bridge where we shall all be reunited.. My deep *hopelessly wordless* condolences...
>^,,^<
I recently had to put to rest my dear companion of 18 years. She was a lovely calico named Patches and I miss her so. You can view her loveliness on my March 12th post on my blog.
http://poetrose24.blogspot.com/
I understand your loss.
I have just discovered your wonderful blog, and have not yet fully 'met' Maurice, but this wonderful, gutwrenching, beautiful, heartbreaking post has me in tears for you.
I am glad that what was clearly a magnificent cat clearly had such a magnificent person.
I am behind in reading blogs and just read this post. I am so sorry for your loss.
Sending hugs your way - I am so sorry. I do so enjoy your blog.
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