Today’s post is about my cat Beatrice who recently passed away at the age of 17. She and her sister were kittens when they came to live with me and I was afraid they'd be bored being indoors all the time. I put bird feeders all around the house to amuse them, and they quickly learned the joys of bird watching. Several years after they were adopted, we moved to Georgia. I was excited because our new house had a screened porch. I was sure all the cats would love being that close to nature.
Beatrice didn't, though. She would only stay on the porch for a few minutes, then head back inside, earning her the nickname of "The City Kitty." She much preferred to watch birds and creatures from the air conditioned comfort of a window bench. I'll never forget her excitement at seeing the big Heron land on the deck, or her eagerness to get at the green anole on the window sill. It wasn't until the last few years that she warmed up to the porch. Then she'd be the first one out in the morning and stay as long as she could, enjoying the sounds, smells, and sights.
Beatrice was a unique personality who was affectionate, gentle, and sweet with me. She had a quirk that none of the other cats had. If I bent over near her, she'd jump on my back, put her paws around my neck, and rub her face in my hair. That was her very special way of telling me she loved me. As sweet as Beatrice was with me, she was a prickly martinet with the other cats. She ruled the roost with an iron paw and tolerated no bad behavior. Unfortunately, merely breathing was sometimes a transgression, earning the offender a chilling glare or a sharp swat
When she was diagnosed with cancer, Beatrice was given only a short time to live. Even though it was a sad time, I was grateful for every day we could spend together. I treasure the memory of sitting with her at the window a few days before she died, watching birds flit around the yard. But most of all I remember that was the day she jumped on my back one last time and told me she loved me.
Thank you--I still get a little teary thinking about Beatrice.
Posted by: Georgia Backyard Nature | January 23, 2012 at 08:02 PM
Sorry to hear about your kitty.
Posted by: Natureintheburbs.wordpress.com | January 22, 2012 at 08:18 PM
Thank you so much--the house isn't the same without her.
Posted by: Georgia Backyard Nature | January 21, 2012 at 04:14 PM
I enjoyed read about Ms. Beatrice's life, she was a very special girl and will be missed.
Posted by: Pam Weisbarth | January 21, 2012 at 08:55 AM