Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Understanding words, understanding cats, understanding hearts.

Maurice was bright flame cat, wicked eyed cat, warm cat, intimate cat, companion.
His face asked questions, always.
He walked, watching, ears alert, guardian cat, wild on the hills.
Fire cat, he was beautiful, in golden grass, in heather, honeysuckle, bluebells, clover, on clifftops, hilltops, meadows, hedge and wall.
He was hunter, brother, beloved.
Most of all beloved.
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29 comments:

  1. FreyalynMarch 8, 2011 at 11:28 AM

    I am so sorry for those of you that Maurice has left behind. You have written about him so beautifully.

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  2. LydiaMarch 8, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    Tears came to my eyes often during the day when I thought about Maurice. 15-year-old, pure white Feather,so thin and frail now, is here in my lap. I showed her Maurice's photo in your blog header and explained what has happened. And then I told her that she is beloved...

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  3. LynMarch 8, 2011 at 11:56 AM

    I only met him a couple of times but feel I knew him forever. I'm so sorry my tears are flowing

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  4. BeckyMarch 8, 2011 at 12:51 PM

    Oh what lovely words of remembrance!

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  5. virginiaMarch 8, 2011 at 1:33 PM

    Dear Jackie,

    We would just like you to know that we are thinking of you at this sad time. We know that Maurice will always be with you in your heart and has now become changed into a different part of the universe.

    With best wishes, Virginia and Nino

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  6. SobeitMarch 8, 2011 at 1:35 PM

    I could not even post a comment of sympathy yesterday when I read of Maurice.... The tears flowed constntly and it was hard to see. I've lost many beloved cats over the yers and yet I still feel each passing as tho it was yesterday...
    Even tho you knew this time was coming just as Lydia knows for Feather, we are never ready.

    Sobeit

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  7. MargMarch 8, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    We are so sorry about Maurice. It is so hard to lose a fur friend and they are our best friends.Big hugs to you the Mom, and many purrs too. What a gorgeous boy he was. Take care.

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  8. Raymond and BusbyMarch 8, 2011 at 3:23 PM

    We're sorry to hear that Maurice has gone but we know he will always be in your heart.

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  9. CatMarch 8, 2011 at 3:27 PM

    Oh no! Maurice. I am so sad for you Jackie, I know from your writing how special Maurice was. What a shock this must be. It is so hard to lose the cat of your heart!

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  10. Morning's MinionMarch 8, 2011 at 4:15 PM

    You have caught the essence of Maurice so beautifully. More than that, it is the epitome of catliness.
    I am reminded of my Oscar-cat--gone too young from cancer 5 years ago--it still hurts.

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  11. JCMarch 8, 2011 at 5:09 PM

    He was an absolute love ...

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  12. Gemini and IchiroMarch 8, 2011 at 5:20 PM

    Simba told us about Maurice and we came by to say we were very sorry to hear.

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  13. WendyMarch 8, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    This is two mornings in a row you've made me cry. But it's a good cry. In 2008 I lost three of my dearest friends. First was Sid who had been with me for 22 years. We shared many adventures together, but her death was not unexpected. But then my own dear, beautiful boy Monkey, a gray tabby with excessive personality, died unexpectedly a few months later. Then my itty bitty black and white kitty, Bits, followed six weeks after him. Both were 13 and both died of different cancers. It was devastating not only to lose my beloved friends, but so much of my family in such short order. Only Miao Yin remained, and she joined them last year, 2 years and 8 days after Sid led the way. Sadly, Miao never really got to know the kittens I brought home to be her new companions. But Rusty and Ginger are the legacy of my original family. They were all rescued from people who were ignorant of the treasures they had, and they have all added such a warm, loving and exciting fabric to my life that I've never regretted their company, even through the pain of losing them. And hopefully, my love meant something to them as well. I don't believe that we ever cease to exist. I can't help but think that the ghost of the fire sprite who wanders the hills under the cold moonlight would make a lovely story to comfort all of us who have shared our lives with a cat. And who but you could illustrate it so intimately, from the heart? More hugs to you, Pixie, Elmo and Max, from Rusty, Ginger and myself.

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  14. AnonymousMarch 8, 2011 at 5:47 PM

    I'm so sorry for your loss,, carry him in your heart always,, so sad to lose a friend,,

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  15. WOLMarch 8, 2011 at 6:33 PM

    Their leaving tears a hole in your world. It's a ragged tear and an empty, echoing hole. Eventually, it scabs over and heals, but it always leaves a scar. Mow is the time to wander the gardens of memory and choose the best ones to make a memorial wreath.

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  16. Narrative jewelryMarch 8, 2011 at 7:25 PM

    Your words for Maurice are simply beautiful Jackie.

    As Lydia, tears came to my eyes yesterday when i read your post, so i went to my little Mademoiselle Poupette to tell her what happened, and to tell her how lovely was this little boy and how much i love her.

    All my thoughts are still with you Jackie. Maurice is in my heart forever.

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  17. MrsDuncanMahoganyMarch 8, 2011 at 7:36 PM

    I am sorry to hear of Maurice's passing to his next adventure. Never easy, always missed. Travel well, dear Ginger.

    With love,
    Dianna

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  18. GriffinMarch 8, 2011 at 7:37 PM

    May Bastet give him room on her lap or on her shoulders, for he was a cat among cats; a paragon of flame distilled, an elegance, a soft firmness, moons in his eyes, a prowler, a sleeper and a dreamer.

    Sleep well Maurice, your golden thread is snapped out of life, but Bastet loves the best of cats. And we have words and pictures to hold on to you still.

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  19. MrsDuncanMahoganyMarch 8, 2011 at 7:38 PM

    I am sorry to hear of Maurice's passing. Never easy, always missed. Enjoy your next adventure lovely Ginger.

    With love,
    Dianna

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  20. Tama-Chan, Benny, Vidock, Violette, Ollie, Heloise, Momo, RyuMarch 8, 2011 at 7:56 PM

    We have never visited your blog before and hope we are not seen as interlopers. We read about Maurice on our friend Simba's blog and just wanted to stop by and pay our respects. We have lost two red-headed brothers over the past two years and not a day goes by when we don't think of them or miss them. Maurice was clearly a wonderful cat and we know he will always be in your heart.

    The Poupounette Gang
    in France

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  21. Sandies' PatchMarch 8, 2011 at 8:20 PM

    Sorry....will miss Maurice too.

    Hugs to all 4 +2 legs,

    Sandie, Rosie,Katie xxx

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  22. DevenMarch 8, 2011 at 9:06 PM

    Our hearts are breaking for you and Maurice. The love of an animal is the most precious love you can have. I wish you the peace of a soothed heart as soon as it is possible. He loved you best.

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  23. Linda NavrothMarch 8, 2011 at 11:00 PM

    I know death is a part of life, but it sure seems unfair nonetheless--and you have had more than your share of its unfairness in the last year of so. I am so sorry for your loss; it is a loss for all of us who have come to know him through this blog. I thank you for keeping his memory alive with your beautiful words and photos.
    With every kindness and warm regards,
    Linda

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  24. JohnMarch 9, 2011 at 12:16 AM

    I am glad to read your telling of who Maurice was. It is a good story to tell.

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  25. marilynMarch 9, 2011 at 1:30 AM

    The tears flow with the news of your loss for he seemed to belong to all of us through your words and photographs. With sincere sympathy from me and all the Cats of Lakeview Point in Alabama.

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  26. DebMarch 9, 2011 at 4:24 AM

    With tears in my eyes I send my heart-felt love to you and hope that all the wonderful memories you have of that darling cat will bring you peace. What a lucky boy he was to have you in his life. Hugs, Deb=^..^=x5

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  27. SandraMarch 9, 2011 at 5:22 AM

    Oh, Jackie, I am so sorry to hear of Maurice's passing. My heart aches for you, I have no words, they have all been said. I am going to the archives and reading of Maurice's life with you - and savouring it all..
    Sandy

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  28. quiltcatMarch 10, 2011 at 3:10 AM

    What a lovely tribute to Maurice. I feel it especially poignantly, perhaps, because my Fuzzy is at least 16 years old and suddenly in declining health. And he is so beloved. As was Maurice. My deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to you.

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  29. Deb MorseMarch 18, 2011 at 6:06 PM

    I cannot even speak, my throat is shut tight with tears. Am so sorry for your loss, Jackie.

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