Thursday, January 06, 2011

Adieu, my friend.

(Blogger put this up early, and I couldn't get it back down... Sorry.)

Tuxedo wasn't feeling to great, so I let him in the house yesterday.  He slept most of the day.  Just didn't seem right, I guess I should have realized that, when he didn't park right in front of the fridge for a cheese treat. 

I let him sleep, and went about cleaning house.  Finally, he got up, and walked to the door, petting it like he does sometimes when he wants out.  I gave him a pet, and opened the door.  He wandered out, and I went back to cleaning house.  Told Husband that Tux wasn't quite up to snuff.  I figured he had a kitty cold or some such.

Not quite.  We lost him last night, Husband found him by the hay, he just collapsed.  He wasn't a youngster by any stretch, in fact, he was here when we moved in.  We saw him slipping in and out of the area.  Husband and I had Rudee chase him off, at first, as he was very aggressive to my other cats.  But slowly, my old guys went away, and Husband decided to see if we could make friends with Tux.

Husband used some very expensive Albacore Tuna to do this.  Tux liked him immediately.  Wife wasn't so happy about the situation.  But, slowly I worked with Tux, as well, and we were able to convince him that we were okay. 

I knew he'd made himself at home, when he started relaxing enough to play with Rudee.  By the end, he'd chase Rudee and swat his tail.  He took over the hen house, herding chickens out, when he wanted a spot to sit.  This worked until the day he fell asleep and the rooster bit his tail.  After a panicked cat rodeo, Tux decided that sleeping might not be the best idea IN the hen yard. 

I was truly worried about Buzz when I introduced him to Tux.  Would he accept this little kitten?  Use it for claw practice?  Ignore it? 

I set the tiny thing next to this big, black cat, and watched.  Tux gazed at the kitten.  The kitten gazed back, fluffing up a little.  Tux then slapped a paw over the kitten, knocking it over, and proceeded to groom it from nose to tail.  Buzz wasn't sure about this, but soon learned that Tux was her best buddy. 

Tux even wrote a few of my blogs, when "he" was in the mood.  He would follow Rudee and I up the hill when I walked, until I finally was able to get him to stop, (I was afraid he'd go up by himself, and be eaten by something). 

I will miss that well dressed cat. 

Raise a glass to a fine feline, my old Tuxedo.
***

Make.  What was the last thing you made?  What materials did you use?  Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?  (Gretchen Rubin)

The last thing I made... and nearly finished, was right before Christmas.  Our family participates in Ren Faires.  Dad likes to carry a lot of items around at faire, and I had knit him a bag.  Well, you know the saying about 10 pounds of... Stuff... in a 5 pound bag?  That's where it was going with Dad.  When he had all of his keys in the bag, along with everything else, it looked like he had a porcupine strapped to his hip.  This not only looked strange, I was afraid he'd lose something, or the bag would give out.

So for Christmas, I spun natural colored wool, and knit a new, BIIIG bag.  I still have to put Velcro on it, and some buttons for decoration, (Velcro isn't period, I DON'T CARE, it works, and no one will see it on the INSIDE of the bag), and then Dad will be able to use it.  How large is it?

You could probably fit 3/4 of a loaf of French bread in it.  And a beer.  Or a whole loaf without the beer.  But I think Dad would like it better with the beer... 

As for something I would like to make, but need to make time for it.  Music, I suppose.  Perhaps my book.  But I also want to "make" room in my craft room.  The latter is probably more important, in the short run, that way I can practice guitar, and write, without bugging anyone.  And hide to practice without interruption, when certain members of the family show up... (grumble...)

So, as of tomorrow, set the timer.  Ding!

Uh. Well, guess I should DO something after I set the thing.  Funny how that works...

13 comments:

The Merry said...

He looked like a beautiful kitty. I'm sorry for your loss, but I'm glad you got to spend years making him feel loved and appreciated.

Sharon said...

So sad for Tux, so sad for you.... Sigh (tears)

Guess I am just tired, see you tomorrow.

GLORIA'S STORY said...

I am sorry for your loss. We get so attached to our animals that it is so sad when they have to leave us.

Like Merry comment, you made his last years very happy.

Judith said...

I'm raising a glass to Tux too. It was the similarity of his looks to my tuxedo cat, even to the milk smudge, that initially caught my interest and drew me to your blog. Here's to Tux.

Ms. Diva said...

I am so sorry for your loss!! That must have been a sight to see a rooster sneaking up on a sleeping cat to bite its tail!!!

messymimi said...

Please accept my condolences for the loss of your beloved Tux. He was a great guy.

Yes, set the timer, it gives you permission to stop when it dings. It means you have accomplished something. Part FlyLady, and part our challenged housekeepers' website.

Good for you for making and creating stuff at all. It's something i've always wished i could do.

Louise said...

Farewell, Tuxedo. You look like you were a fine cat, and it is obvious that you were well loved by your people.

Cat, I don't know if you believe in the Bridge, but, if you do, you know that he will be waiting for you there.

IsobelleGoLightly said...

I'm sorry you've lost a friend. You gave him a great life with you.

Tina said...

Sorry to hear about Tux. It is so hard to loose a loved animal family member. So sorry!

Chai Chai said...

Sorry to hear about Tux, good cats are hard to find.

Terry said...

I'm so sorry Tux passed away. He was beautiful.

AJ-OAKS said...

A toast to Tux!!! Rest gently and peacefully. To be seen over the bridge one day.

I am so sorry about the loss of Tux. He sounded like an amazing cat. Had to giggle about the meeting of the kitten!

Hugs.

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

This is sad news, but it is comforting to read the whole story... to know that you touched each others lives. Thank goodness for happy memories, otherwise how would we bear such heartache?
I am sorry for your loss.
Rest in peace Tux.