sam
Tricia was given Sam about 18 years ago by a friend (confused by those blue eyes, I guess) who knew she was looking for a Siamese.
In our household he was kept in his place by the other cats, even though he was the oldest and the only male. He didn’t seem to mind. In fact he just did his own thing and paid them no attention. He was the only one who would come out and greet strangers and when outside he was fearless in defending his territory in spite of having been declawed as a kitten. He was insistent about getting his meals on time and was always underfoot in the kitchen. Especially if there was chicken involved.
Actually I did not think Sam was going to make it through last summer. In the midst of all our packing and moving, he seemed to be in a real decline. But he perked up once we got moved. Maybe the excitement of new places to explore. He loved to go outside and drink the rainwater that collected in a little fountain. A half dozen times a day at least I would see him march across the front of the house to get his drink.
Yesterday he woke us up at 6:30 as usual. During breakfast I glanced outside and saw him climbing over a railroad tie on the far side of the driveway. A few minutes later I saw a deer in the same place. I went to the window to check on him and he had retreated to the other side of the driveway where he was watching closely. He was always fascinated by the deer.
When I returned home yesterday afternoon I learned he had passed. Tricia had let him out again in the early afternoon. About an hour later one of our other cats had come to her in agitation and led her outside to where Sam was lying on the shady rocks next to the fountain he loved.
Goodbye old man. We are going to miss you.
May 10th, 2007 @ 11:44 am
Sam was a fine-looking cat. I’m sorry for the loss of your friend.
May 10th, 2007 @ 12:12 pm
Awww, I am so sorry to hear about Sam. Very nice story about his fountain.
So, the other cats alerted Trish?
Its been many years since I lived with a cat, I forget their little quirks.
May 10th, 2007 @ 1:30 pm
Bill, I’m so sorry. What a wonderful friend he was, and how much he must be missed.
May 10th, 2007 @ 2:52 pm
Like Pattie, I’m also touched by the other cat leading Tricia to Sam. You gave him a nice life, Bill, and his departure was as good as anyone could hope for, whether we’re feline or human.
Thank you for sharing him with us.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
May 10th, 2007 @ 4:51 pm
Annie, Pattie: It is interesting about the other cat, isn’t it. I saw something like this happen before. One of our cats was attacked by a dog and, like cats do when they are injured, she ran off and hid. We were out searching for her and calling her name. One of our yard cats, a stray that Tricia had started feeding, went and stood directly in front of a tall shrub, calling attention to it. Sure enough the cat we were looking for was hiding beneath it.
May 11th, 2007 @ 8:48 am
Thank you for the tribute to SilkySam. 18 yrs is a long time to live w/a companion. Longer than 2 of my children and longer than husband…so far
I am surprised at how much Sapphire appears to be feeling the loss. She has made several trips out to his grave stone to sit & meditate and slept in his favorite chair yesterday. She is an amazing, wise, & loving matriarch.
May 11th, 2007 @ 5:36 pm
It’s hard to lose a furry companion after so many years. Thanks for sharing.
May 19th, 2007 @ 10:24 pm
Aww.
What a beautiful little kitty. They bring so much light to life and it is so sad when they have to go.