Friday, June 12, 2009

Three Little Kittens: If I could put time in a bottle...

I think we've all done it...sat down to take on a task and then something happens...you see an image or memento that gently tugs at your heart. That happened to me today in such a bittersweet way as I was purging some files in my laptop. I found a picture I took nearly a decade ago and time stood still for me, if even just for a little while.

Camille and Rosemary, along with my son's cat, Zoe' (far right) will all turn 8 years old this summer. Now, that's not all that elderly for a cat, but nonetheless, it is eight years and that is a significant amount of time no matter how you count the days, weeks, months and years. In the photo they are about 6 months old. Where did it go? What happened to the three, little kittens that were rescued oh, so long ago? The little kittens that would run willy-nilly from room to room of my house flinging themselves into the air, landing on a dime only to scurry away to begin again? The little kittens who would arch their backs and hop sideways, tail pointing to the clouds as they assaulted an imaginary foe. The time slipped away so quickly.
A litter of kittens that I fostered, 2004

Those of us who cannot imagine living without being surrounded by animals pay a huge price with broken hearts and many tears when there is no more time left and we have to say a painful good-bye to a little life that we've cherished. We moan and we sob and we rail against the fates and our bodies shudder with the pain of unimaginable sorrow.

Scout, 2003, the year he entered my heart

But after a time, we dry our eyes and begin to smile again and begin to plan again - for the new arrival, a new beginning. That little kitten or playful pup or maybe that graying senior in need of a home who caught our eye when we last visited the shelter - and we have a home, we have the room. A home that will open its doors wide to new life and new love and new hope and new smiles. We won't think of a time long into the future where illness will tear us apart, because we have to prepare. We have to turn feathers into monsters for little paws to hunt. Or possibly we need to grab a chubby, little body to run outside so we can say, "Go potty outside", as we stand in the dark hoping the neighbors don't see what we're wearing. We do it all over again without looking back at the pain - the circle of life - and what a life it is for us - the crazy cat people and the wacky dog folks. I can't imagine spending my time any other way - ain't life grand?
Savannah Leigh, 1993 - 2007

I'd like to end this post with the lyrics of an old Jim Croce song, Time in a Bottle. I loved the words in 1972 and I love them even more now. They have a deeper meaning for me now than when I was a kid.

If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that I'd like to do
Is to save every day
Till Eternity passes away
Just to spend them with you

If I could make days last forever
If words could make wishes come true
I'd save every day like a treasure and then
Again, I would spend them with you

But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
I've looked around enough to know
That you're the one I want to go
Through time with

If I had a box just for wishes
And dreams that had never come true
The box would be empty
Except for the memory
Of how they were answered by you

But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
I've looked around enough to know
That you're the one I want to go
Through time with

25 comments:

Angel MoMo and Charlotte said...

This is a great post that all furry lovers can identify with. Those are lovely photos, what sweet memories! Thanks for sharing them. My eyes still leak when I think of the pets that have left over the years and I dread the day I have to say farewell to Momo.

Mark's Mews (Marley, Lori, Loki, and Binq) said...

We loved all the pictures, but the 1
st one the best. We would NEFER sit like that! So it was great yours did...

Angel, Kirby and Max said...

What a wonderful post!

Grahamn Kracker said...

Nice pictures, nice story and yes, we Krackers have shed many tears for our furry loved ones and we always know that the next period of grief is not far away. But the joy and happiness that these friends bring to us in the time of their lives!

Cheyenne -Millie said...

We saw the graphic of you on Zoolatry. Those are all great photos! We especially love that first one!!

Milo and Alfie said...

What a beautiful post - I can so relate to it. In fact it made me weep for the sadness of those dear little furries I have lost in the past. Once a cat (or dog) has entered your heart - they never ever leave. Death does not take them away other than in body - they become a living loving part of you for as long as you are alive.

Comment by Milo and Alfie's Mom.

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

This is a beautiful post. It made mum's eyes leak. She often tells us about the kitties who came before. They are all out in her garden and she has planted a rose for each of them. We like to lie amongst the roses because we know they are there.
We loved the first photo.

The Monkeys said...

This is a great post! Like Eric and Flynn's Mum, it made ours get all weepy and hug us (which is never bad)!

CCL Wendy said...

Just lovefurly and so true! You've really captured the spirit and reality of sharing our lives with these wonderful creatures.

The Island Cats said...

What a wonderful post that sure rings true! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and memories!

Parker said...

Such a lovely and true post.

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

Every mums wish that she could take all the lovely memories and bottle them.. Lovely post.

Hugs GJ xx

Tuck said...

What a beautiful post! It made Jen tear up a little!

Bruce said...

Very beautiful & heart warming...thank you:)

The Creek Cats said...

What a great post, so wonderfully written and true. Makes us think of Cal. I couldn't imagine spending my life any other way either!

Also reminds me of how, Maggie May even as a one year old, still arches her back and hops sideways. We call it "Halloween Kitty."

T said...

This brought tears to my eyes too! Beautiful post. We take in each beautiful furry friend, without a second thought of of when our last day would be, we just love and care for them and enjoy that day, that moment we have, and have no worries, and no time to wonder what the future holds.

Amy & the house of cats said...

Add me to the list of those that got a tear from this one. It is a lovely post, and the pictures are great.

The Crew said...

Yes, we all hold dear memories of our fur kids. Kittenhood, puppyhood, good times & bad...and we keep taking in animals again and again despite what we know is the inevitable end.

Reese =^..^= said...

What a sweet post and pictures. Thanks for walking us down your memory lane.

Anya said...

Great post
Fantastic words
Lovely pictures.....

Have a lovely weekend :)

Purss Kareltje =^.^=

Anonymous said...

That's so lovely:) Thank you for sharing, and have a peaceful weekend, furriends:)

King Valrohna said...

Hi Camille, Rosemary & Zoe,

Nice to meet you, too. Thank you fur stopping by my blog. What a nice post. I will be 8 this summer, too.

Thank you again,

Tama-Chan, Benny, Vidock, Violette, Ollie, Heloise, Momo, Ryu said...

Lovely post. Yes, the heartache is so great each time, and yet each time there is joy in a new soul.

We lost Sen-Chan in January at the age of only 18 months but his sweetness will be with us always. And we hope that Tomm (22 months), Tama-Chan (10 months) and Sei-Chan (4 months) will have many birthdays to share.

Wish on a Whisker said...

I LOVE the picture of the kitties in the window! SO SWEET! ~Mandy

Anonymous said...

So many good memories of happiness... yes, you have to make every day count because the time goes so fast. But it's worth it.