Friday, January 14, 2011

RIP Blackie

If you read my posts on a normal basis you know that I have a dear love for feline.  Sweetie and Sunny are my own kitties that are now a little over two years old.  Still I am one of those who if a stray comes around I am sure to put out food for them and see that they have shelter and water. 

Although two of the other cats that frequent my yard are not what you would call strays (one is the next door neighbors and the other live a bit further away) they still come on a daily basis to eat breakfast or a late snack. 

Then there is Blackie.  The last of the black cats that roamed the area since we first moved here over 6 years ago.  At one time there were 6 of them and yes I tended all of them.  I even took them into a vet and had them all fixed as well as shots.  Over the years they have slowly disappeared.  I never found any signs of them and thus I kept the positive view that they found new homes elsewhere.

Blackie was the last of them.  A big black tom that came on occasion to the back porch and spoke to me.  His call was distinctive and I always knew when he was at the back door.  When the weather was warm he did not come around too often.  He was content to roam the area and find birds and mice to fill his tummy.  Yet as winter set in and the temperatures became colder he would frequent my back porch so much more. 

Yet last week when we received the coldest temperatures of the year thus far, I was surprised when I did not see him.  I would call in the evenings expecting to hear his cry and see him come from out of the brush at the bottom of the yard.  Yet he did not come.  He had been away before so I did not worry much.

The other day, Vincent and I ventured out to town for the first time in a few days and as we drove the road out of our area I heard Vincent gasp and stop the truck.  I asked what was wrong and he started to back the truck up and told me to wait and I would see.  As he backed up and stopped the truck he told me to look upward.  Hanging in the tree was Blackie.  His stomach was open and exposed and it was obvious that he was no longer with us.

Today we went and brought him down from the tree and gave him a proper burial.  It was apparent that he had not climbed into the tree but was thrown up into the tree, landing between two branches.  His front paws and head hung through the front and his hind legs dangled freely.  His stomach was completely exposed and he was stiff from the cold and the time he was evidently there. 

I wondered what had happened to him.  Was it accidental?  Was he struck by a car and someone tossed him out of the road? Or was it not accidental?  I will never know I am sure yet still I found the manner in which we found him so sad.  He was a loner of a kitty.  He was not held and cuddled much if at all as he was quite skiddish.  I had petted him a few times yet it was not often enough.  As I lowered the box into the hole that Vincent had dug, I felt sadness that he did not experience such kindness.

I will miss his occasional visits and most of all his unique cry.

32 comments:

Teresa said...

That last picture looks so much like my little Magic kitty that I lost last summer. There is something that is just so sleek and elegant about those black cats. I'm so sorry you've lost your friend. I'm sure he's grateful to have had a friend that he could always turn to.

Theresa MacNaughton said...

I am so so sorry to hear this. My heart breaks at how you discovered him - and I hope that no intentional ill will came to him. I am grateful that you took care of him and tended to his remains properly and respectfully. He was a handsome cat and I know you will always cherish his memories. Theresa

mxtodis123 said...

My heart breaks when I read things like this. I'm so sorry, my friend. My friend, he did experience kindness...from you. He sensed that you cared.
Mary

Merry ME said...

I have two black kitties that I will give an extra hug to tonight in honor of your friend. What a blessing you are to the neighborhood felines and a good steward too to have them neutered.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Poor old Blackie. A hard life and death for a tough feral cat. May Bast bless you for your repeated acts of kindness towards him.

SpiritWings said...

I am so sorry to hear that you found him that way. It just broke my heart reading this.
I agree with mxtodis123. He found kindness and love in you. My husband sometimes has to remind me that we can't always change others life journeys (be it 2 legged or 4) what we can do, is do the very best we can for the time and space we are given in their life. You are a credit to us all!! =]

crafty cat corner said...

Such a sad blog, but I fully understand your love for cats.
We now have 5 but did have 7, we recently lost old Fred and last year dear Kitty. Luckily we took in a stray who was pregnant and she produced 4 beautiful kittens that we could not bear to part with.
These kittens were fathered by a pure black feral cat that roams the area (unfortunately he likes to mark my back door) I really do not know how he survives, his fur is in a bad condition and he is quite lean. We have tried trap him but he is too wiley, so you see how your blog is so similar to my own situation.
Blessings
Briony

Jennifer Rose said...

:( poor kitty :(

brandi said...

~i am so sorry for your loss of this here little friend...i know how big your heart is and can imagine your feelings as you found him...he was very lucky to have stumbled upon you in his life...to have someone love and care for him as you had and did...be well and know you gave him everything you could...a gift of love and friendship...much love light and blessings upon you and yours~

Unknown said...

Oh he did recieve kindness from you and don't forget something made it so that you could find him and take care of him in the end. For that is the best way for him to be put to rest. I will hug my sweet (rescued) Cinder extra big today! You have a sweet heart and I am so glad to know you.

Hugs

AkasaWolfSong said...

I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your feline friend...I too hope it wasn't someone's harming him.

I am Grateful that You and Your Hubby were there to care of his needs and to give him a resting place for his body...I wish more people would be this conscious of our beloved animal kingdom.

I know as well that this precious friend loved you even though he was a 'wild one.' I'm sure he is happily bounding in Summerland and watching over you from there.

May you find some peace from the time you were able to share your love with him...

Bless You Dear Heart!
xoxoxo

The StarFire Witch / Bald Girl said...

That is horrible, What a sad tragic death. Poor Kitty. My heart breaks for him. :(
Poor Blackie. RIP.
And you poor you. But at least you found him and gave him a proper burial. I'm sure he'd have wanted it to be you that did.

Robin Larkspur said...

I feel such profound sadness; and though it was heartbreaking, I am relieved that you and Vincent found Blackie and were able to give him the loving final touches. It must have been terrible for you two; some cats are meant to be loners, and to that freedom that Blackie had. You gave him kindness when he required it, and in the end, you gave him a respectful and dignified burial. I am mourning his loss with you, and hope that perhaps it was an accidental death. I think we should just grasp to that. The alternative is too terrible to think about. Blessings to you and Vincent, and to the spirit of Blackie. Love, Robin.

Wizardess said...

I hope that his death was accidental. It is wonderful that you honored Blackie in life and in death.

Sara said...

So very sad. I'm sorry for the loss of your little friend. May he be at rest.

Anonymous said...

Oh my heart bleeds for that sweet baby. Worse of all, he is an exact image of my Herger, who is my pride and joy.

How wonderful he knew your kindness in life and I am sorry for the loss.

Wendy.B said...

What a sad way for this kitties days to end.. I do hope it was an accident and not something more sinister... May you find comfort in the fact you were his chosen home, when the world got a little to cold for him and he found warmth in your kindness... blessing to you and Vincent and the love you gave Blackie

Leigh said...

I am so sorry. This is tragic and horrific. Things like this were why I used to keep our black cat indoors around certain holidays.

Amanda said...

i'm sorry to hear about your little kitty friend :(

A Broom And The Moon said...

R.I.P. Blackie. I think animals are the most spiritual beings on this planet and I know in my heart Blackie is in a wonderful place playing with other cats and enjoying some fresh tuna! I am so sorry for your loss, my heart is with you during this difficult time. Blessed Be! -Jenn

Mother Moon said...

thank all of your kind words and warm thoughts.

Mother Moon said...

thank all of your kind words and warm thoughts.

Wendy said...

I cried so hard reading this post, Mother Moon. I know you and I love share such a deep connection with animals, especially kitties. Words alone I know cannot begin to touch the grief and incredibly loss over Blackie. I am SO so sorry. You and Vincent were true angels to Blackie. I'm still crying about this. Bless you Mother Moon for all that you do for furbabies. Sending you lots of love.

Chrysalis said...

OH I hope it was an accident! Poor sweet kitty. Bless you for loving him.

Funny, I am watching The View (why??) and they are doing a segment on Piers Morgan. He shows a clip in which he makes a bet with Oprah as to who can get an interview with Michael Vick first. I commented to my partner that it is a sick state of affairs when the rich and powerful celebs in this country are fighting over who gets to interview the dog killer. I have no tolerance for animal cruelty. None.

Sleep sweetly, dear Blackie.

Nicky Price said...

That's horrible. At least you are able to bury him, the only thing worse than having an animal friend die is not knowing what happened to them. We've only ever had five cats, and the first three all disappeared under mysterious circumstances.

I really, really hope it was an accident. But although he was feral, you made him welcome into your garden, and he experienced kindness from you while he was alive.

Goddess bless.

IvyandtheGreenEyedCat said...

Merry meet!

I must confess that yesterday I read this blog entry and was moved, as I too, am a lover of our feline companions. I identified completely with the love you gave to this stray.

So you can imagine my surprise when this morning I hear my kitty growling out the back door at a stray (very common as I live in a suburb) and I take a peek out the window and what do I see but a LARGE black cat with green eyes. My very first thought was "blackie". lol :)

I have a soft spot for tending to the needs of the strays in the area and know most of them by heart now, but I had never seen this one before. I just found it very touching moment and thought that I would share it with you...

Blessings :)

Tournesol said...

So nice that this kitty had a friend in you.

the wild magnolia said...

Bless you for tending Blackie while he lived, and lovingly laying him to rest.

He was so handsome!

You are a dear soul, and your husband too!

Blessings.

Danni said...

I'm so sorry that he passed and in such a way as this. While he may not have been held or petted as often as some kitties are lucky to be, I'm sure he knew he had friends and could feel the love of both you and Vincent and returned to visit as much for that knowledge as for the free kibble.

May he find peace and a good deal of birds, mice and love on the other side. *hugs*

Rob the Gardener said...

So sorry to hear about Blackie. He had a great friend in you and the way you treated him also after he passed is remarkable.

Moon Daughter said...

Bless you for being so nice to the kitty, even though you got nothing in return for it. It is kindness like that that makes the world a better place. I'm so sorry for your loss, I know how much you cared for him.

Pat said...

I am new to your site. I cried reading your post. I'm truly sorry for the loss you have suffered with blackie. Bless you for looking after him while he was alive. May his spirit rest in peace.