Houdini



Houdini

1997 -- 23 Jul 2008


He asked to come into the house on Monday then waited by the door outside. We knew he wanted to go away to die. We couldn't let him.

He moped around the house for a few days, while we doted affection on him, saying our wordless goodbyes. He lost interest in food and lethargy overtook him. I finally put him back in his familiar rooms this morning so he wouldn't feel he needed to hide.

I checked on him when I got back from town this afternoon. He was laying in his litterbox so I took him out and placed him on a nearby catbed. I petted him and told him it was okay to go on.

He died quietly about four-thirty this afternoon.

We never knew how old he was--he was a mature cat when he started coming by here for food nine or ten years ago. He was very frightened of humans; he had been on his own long enough to distrust human motives. But once we managed to trap him and bring him inside, he revealed a loving, gentle heart.

I am glad we were able to be his haven in this life.

Comments

possumlady said…
Hodini was so lucky to have found you. I hope you are comforted in knowing that you probably saved his life taking him in. He never would have had the years he had without your loving care.
possumlady said…
I just finished reading your posts on black cats from two years ago. I have four blackies also! Apu, now the oldest, adopted from a shelter at 4 months old in 1996, Woody, a stray found in 2002, Moochie, another stray in 2004 and most recently, Oliver, yet another stray in 2006.

Every shelter I've volunteered at has said that black cats are the hardest of adopt. Maybe because they aren't as colorful as the calicos or torties? But also a deeply ingrained fear. I have a friend/co-worker that was looking to adopt a cat. She really wanted a white one but worried about all the fur since she wore mostly black attire. I then told her to get a black cat. She said she would NEVER get a black cat. I thought she was joking but she wasn't. She called them devil cats. This, from a woman who graduated top in her class at UVA!! I was dumbfounded.

Fascinating about black cats and siamese! I once worked with a microbiologist who also loved cats and she told me many years ago that every all black cat had siamese genes.
Anya said…
He was lucky indeed - my deep sympathy to you. I know so well the sorrow that comes again and again when one has a "house of many cats".
Anna
Anonymous said…
Again, I'm so sorry about losing Houdini too.
Makes me feel as though there might be some hope for Snuffly.
Don't know how I missed this, as I try to visit a couple of times a week.
I am so sorry, Laura. Your losses have been many this year.

I'm thankful Houdini found you and Denny to share his life with.

((laura))
Laura said…
Thank you, friends--Houdini was a worthy cat and we miss his gentle prescence. But sorrow shared is a burden lifted.

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