Saying Goodby To Stinky the Cat ~ Original Photography, and Original Discussion About Losing A Good Friend ~
Stinky the Cat
Sometime or Other 2008(?) - May 10, 2018
Goodbye My Goofy Friend and Writing Muse
This is hard to write, and I've been putting it off for awhile. That is probably why I haven't been on Steemit a whole lot lately. Just haven't felt much like writing, and it has been too fresh and new to deal with in this form. But I feel I owe a word or three to Stinky, since she added SO much to my life in so many ways.
She was ALWAYS around, usually poking into whatever business I was up to, and provided endless entertainment and a great deal of love all of the time. An incredible friend day in, day out, through thick and thin. So, it's with a whole bunch of sadness that I finally put down on official paper, and out to all my wonderful friends on Steemit, that Stinky the Cat has passed away.
She will be missed more than I can put into words. And every day suggests this more and more without her here to constantly 'bug' me ( :
One Of A Kind-Once In A Lifetime
My oh my, how we become attached to these little short, four-legged friends. It is truly amazing. From the first day she ran full speed into the front door, announcing we would now be living with her, to her very last day here on earth. Truly amazing little beings indeed.
There's a saying in life to the effect of: "they broke the mold. " Which means something is pretty darn good, and probably won't be repeated again. But I think Stinky surpassed this thought, and was more of a 'free form' cat. I'm pretty sure there was no mold, since this suggests possible repeatability. I know everyone says this about their pets, but I truly believe there was, and only will be, one Stinky in the universe.
And now she is gone. She had some sort of seizure, and then went down hill after that. So frustrating, watching your little friend pass on from a healthy, vibrant, nutty cat, into just a final memory. Unfortunately, I was not home when she died, which really breaks my heart.
I would love to have been there for her in the final hours, since I meant as much to her, as she did to me in life. How do I know this? When not in motion, Stinky used to sit quietly, purr, and stare at me with almost loopy, googly eyes. I don't think I've felt more loved by anything or anyone in my entire existence (Sorry Mom). I don't know why it transpired that way. I guess it just 'was'.
But in the end, she did not die alone, @haphazard-hstead was with her, and in that I can at least take comfort. Though I WILL say putting her in the ground at the end of the day, was one of the hardest things I've done in a long, long while. Something that has to be done, but truly breaks your heart.
Gone - But Not Forgotten
As I said before, it is truly amazing how attached we get to our pets, and how many things, places or activities around the house remind me of Stinky, and the fact that she is no longer here. A 'few' examples:
There is no cat in my lap as I write this, purring as loudly as she can, occasionally choking herself in the process
This morning there was not a cat sitting at her food bowl, looking up and mouthing an almost silent "aaak, " because she could not meow like a regular cat (never did know WHY she couldn't meow)
There was no furry, extra 'counterweight ' on my chest this morning, when I did my daily sit-ups
I did not have to fill the bathroom sink with water when I was done with it, so she could get a cold drink at any time of the day
There are no little padded, full-speed foot-beats of Busy, as we called her, running to and from the office, where I sit and write
While sitting at the computer last night - I heard no cat "drmmp drmmp-ing" across the outside roof overhead in the cool night air (I have NO idea what she was always doing up there, running around in the dark, before I let her in for the night)
Whenever I open the refrigerator door, there is no longer a short, brown cat running up at full speed, then peering inside at the shelves, no doubt wondering: "....snacks? "
There was no nutty cat this morning, pulling herself up onto the sill with front paws like a gymnasium pull-up, then climbing in through the bedroom window, inquiring about breakfast, before settling onto my pillow'd head to wait. (She would climb OUT the window first, while I was fast asleep. Probably to go back up on the roof, to see if anything had changed during the night) ???
There will no longer be a cat lying in the middle of the scene, whenever I set up a Steemit photo shoot
Finally -- I now have to come up with writing stories on my own, or from the other, less creative cats, which is just not the same -- without Stinky the Cat's incredible sense of humor and wonderment toward life
One of Many Un-Finished Stinky the Cat Projects
I was patiently waiting for her to finish 'opening' the latest bag of Kibbles -- For a future post
Stupid Kevlar Bag Anyway
The Furry Muse
Stinky was a huge part of my daily life, and my writing and photography life as well. Always an inspiration, due to all sorts of goofy behaviors, she was often included in my posts. Below are the writings and things we put out together, in the last 18 months or so on Steemit.
Posts About Stinky the Cat
A Letter From The Cat
Cats Really Do Have It Made
A Brand New Bag
Stinky the Cat Learns To Post On Steemit
Tax Day Blues
Kevlar Stink
B&W Challenge Cat
Look What Came In The Mail-No. I
Kitty Furball Upchuck
Sublime Sunday-No. I
Sublime Sunday-No. II
Look What Came In The Mail-No. II
And of course, at the bottom of every post -- Cat Facts -- Often about and/or 'written' by Stinky the Cat
Stinky The Cat Memories
Though it was far too short, I feel more than fortunate that I was able to spend 10 years of my life with Stinky. There is a good chance you will see more stories put out about her, something along the lines of My Life With Stinky. It just seems like the thing to do.
She gave me SO much joy while living her life, there is no reason not to continue on with some form of this journey. At least in writing and photography. There are many memories still wandering about in my head. All asking, like a chubby brown cat sitting at the screened-in back door, to be let outside to the world.
Thanks for sharing her time with me, and for supporting both me and Stinky the Cat on Steemit. I know she greatly appreciated it, and if she could, she would no doubt eek out a resoundingly quiet "aaak" to you all, from Stinky the Cat.
Rest In Peace, my friend.
~ Stinky the Cat ☺ Gallery of Images ~
"Helping Out " During A Laundry-Sock Photo Shoot
Purr-rusing the Neighborhood With My Special Cat En-Shoulde're
She loved walking all around the place, draped as a mink-kitty stole
A Bit Of Much-Needed Comic Relief
"Whaa-aaaat....?"
Christmas 2018 - Getting A Bit Gray - But Still Loving Life To The Fullest
The Smartest, Most Curious and Interesting Cat I Have Ever Met -- And I've Met A LOT Of Cats
In Unfortunate Conclusion
Stinky was an FIV cat (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus), which makes a cat susceptible to catching diseases or infections more readily than healthy cats. She probably picked it up at birth. Yet she lived a good, healthy life for the most part, for something like 10 years.
We don't really know HOW old she was, she just showed up one day, came in the house, and announced that we couldn't live without her. We thought she was nuts. Yet she proved us very wrong in the end. She is truly hard to live without. It still makes me very very sad, almost two weeks later. Thank you Stinky the Cat, for being a huge, very entertaining part of my life. Now, and until I leave here as well. -d.d.s
And, one more time: "What you up to, Stink? About one foot two?" Don't think she EVER got tired of that...at least I know I never did.
~ Finto ~
Thanks for stopping in, and reading a bit more about Stinky the Cat. And for once, that's all I have to say about that. Though I'd Still love to hear from you in the comments below.
Editor's Note : These dividers are a close up, blur-motion photo of Stinky the Cat in action
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And go to @ddschteinn -- There's a whole lot more...
Posted: 05/22/2018 @ 16:40
Oh my! Stinky was just there helping you unbox the coffee mugs and ash trays thingies. This is such a shock! I mean I feel like I got to know her through your posts. They do leave a hole that never is filled. I say it is the only downside to pets. First we lost our German Shepard and then our bearded dragon so it has been a rough year for that so far. I know there is nothing I can say except that I know just a small bit of that pain. I am so, so sorry, my friend.
I know, it does seem like just yesterday, doesn't it? The Sip n' Smoke session ( : That was our last "shoot" together. What fun. What memories. I agree, they DO leave a pretty huge hole in our heart when they pass out of our lives. I agree, it always gets better in time, but never gets fully healed. Maybe on some scale, that is a good thing, keeps us reminded of our humanity. As you say, there is little to "say" to help, but the support of friends does mean the world to me/us. Thanks for that.
And you have had a hard year in the pet world of things, that's for sure. Losing both Iggy and Elsa. My heart goes out to you again as well, for all of that. Losing any pet is very hard, but a dog, is in a class all it's own. I really do think they would do ANYTHING for us. I think that is why Stinky was hard, she was always so much more like a dog than a cat.
I hope it is getting a little better for you as well, my friend. Also, thanks muchly for the tip, means a lot. Keep on smiling, I can't imagine you any other way. Cheers.
I am so sorry for you loss, DD. I got so much pleasure from hearing about your cat and knowing how much your loved her. Our soul mates come in all shapes and sizes and attitudes. Stinky's essence is still very much with you. She is still there and won't be going anywhere. Just the physical form. I truly believe that:) Give my love to@haphazard-hstead. I am sending it to you both:)
Thank you so much for the kind thoughts. It is hard to lose the little munchkins, and as you say, still feels like she is still around the house. Doing nutty things. I believe in that as well. I swear every now and then a fast flash of furry brown goes zinging by the corner of my eye.
And they do come in all sizes and types, too. From OGP's Iggy to cats to dogs to snakes to everything else. We DO get so attached to them, that's for sure. Wouldn't want it any other way, though the end is always hard. I will pass your kind thoughts on to HH when I see her. She will appreciate it as well. Have a nice day, and thanks again.
:)
I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet little guy, DD.
I know there are no words and honestly, some of my fur babies were so much a part of our family, we truly mourned them for a long time.
RIP Stinky... we are going to miss you
It is amazing how attached we can get to them. So nice to have them in your life, but as you say, so hard to lose them in the end. I suppose that is the yin and yang of life. And the joy out-weighs the end result and makes us richer, that's for sure. Thanks for your kind words, it is greatly appreciated. Have a nice day.
Just know that I truly feel for you, my dog-like-kitty just passed through this world this winter and the house hasn't been the same since.
Time, I know.
Sigh. And Hugs.
Oh! I’m so sorry to hear that Stinky The Cat has passed away. I read your article with tears in my eyes from the beginning till the end. It's good to know that @haphazard-hstead stayed with her in the end of her life.
She looked smart and healthy, it’s unbelievable that we will not hear about her stories anymore on Steemit. I always love to see her photos and read her stories. She seemed to be important part of your life indeed. I can imagine how sad you are. My heart is with you, my dear friend. Please say goodby to Stinky The Cat for me, she will be in my good memory forever.
Thank you so much for the kind thoughts. It was hard to write too, but good to get it out to all my friends that have read about her, and supported me on Steemit. It IS hard to believe she is gone, I still may write some things about her, in memory. There are many stories about Stinky and other cats that have passed in and out of my life. A good way to keep memory alive about them. She was a big part of my life, and will be greatly missed, but I am very glad she was part of it all. Makes it worthwhile. I will say goodbye for you too. Thanks again, my friend.
You are much welcome! Ah! It’s very good idea that you will write things about her and other cats who have passed in and out of your life. I agree with you, these can keep memory alive about them. I look forward to reading their stories with much interest!
Take good care of yourself and have wonderful day, GFF! ;)
Stinky was very beautiful, I love cats since I was little I have always had cats as pets I do not know but I love them, you are right we are very attached to them I think it is because their love is so fuel and unconditional they are always there for us, I feel your lost
Thank you for the nice thoughts about Stinky. They are a lot of fun, aren't they. And as you say, they can love you just like a dog, unconditionally. Which is very nice indeed. I think she thought she WAS a dog a lot of times ( : Do you have cat(s) now?
You Stinky looks like a Punky I had years ago.
So sad that she's gone and you are missing her. They really do leave a huge hole in our hearts. I love her story and how she came into your life. I can only imagine how bittersweet it was writing this post.
I love that name, Punky. Must have been a character too. As you say, their loss does leave a hole in your heart that can never be fully whole again. I suppose that makes us all richer in the end, to have them in our life, for sure. But makes it that much harder when they go. The yin and yang of life.
It was very bittersweet writing the post, made me sad and laugh to put in memories. I hope to do more in the future. Thanks for the support and kind words. Hope your day is a good one.
I hope your days ahead get a little easier.....I know what it's like ...some days are tougher than others.
Stinky was an amazing cat. The two of you had a rare bond. I'm glad I got to see it and be part of it, even at the end of her time. I hope you keep writing about Stinky!
She was an odd, wonderful cat, or wannabe dog?, that's for sure. I hope to put out more about her, as she always strove to entertain, and there are stories galore. As you well know. Thanks for the kind thoughts and words about the amazing Stink.
Informative post , thank you . Nice photo shoot . Keep good work .
Your post is always different i follow your blog everytime , your post is so helpful . I always inspire of your post on my steem work . Thank you for sharing @ddschteinn
Thanks for the nice sentiment and kitty picture. Greatly appreciated. She will be missed, that's for sure.
Thanks for the blue kitty, he/she does look very sad. I appreciate the thought and sentiment about Stinky.