Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Tom-the-Cat

Dear Hearts and Kindred Spirits,

Our Tom Cat, who was named for poet T.S. Eliot, has gone to the great beyond.

"Let us go then, you and I, / When the evening is spread out against the sky," is a quote from T.S. Eliot's "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock." We read this at Tom's funeral.

Tom in Younger Years

Tom died faithfully and quietly in his house. He lived a good and long and outdoor life of at least 17 years, though perhaps more.

Once again in northern Idaho, the dogs are inside near the wood stove. But Tom is outside no more. He has gone into the sky. Shake-a-paw is no more.

We held Tom's funeral with fur-brother Truffle and humans Mom and Grandpa.

One Christmas, soon after my mom's brother died, we had one present. It was Grandpa's homemade house, which he built for Tom and set outside the back door up on a tall shelf above the wood pile. Tom's house had cedar shakes for the roof, a mezzanine, and a round window. Tom liked his house. We did, too.

Tom's House

Tom was buried inside his house and that house was put on top of a slash pile that we lit today.

"Let us go then, you and I."

Love,
Tootsie

19 comments:

  1. Oh Tootsie, I'm so sorry to hear about Tom! it sounds like he lived a great life in his house that grandpa built!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Goodbye Tom the Cat. We never knew you but it sounds like you had a fine life. And an owner with excellent taste in poems. Gail's former dog Hamish once quoted Prufrock in a blog post. You can still read it if you like:
    http://hamishthewestie.blogspot.co.uk/2009/10/i-grow-old-i-grow-old.html
    Toodle pip!
    Bertie.

    ReplyDelete
  3. We are so sorry for your loss. May Tom Cat be running free over the bridge. Our prayers are with you and your family.
    Chloe, LadyBug and mama Jeanne

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh dear, I bet your missing Tom right now.

    Well, don't be. I bet he's happy where he is.

    Your funeral service for him was pretty touching. I'm sure he's glad with what you guys did.

    Huggies and Cheese,

    Haopee

    ReplyDelete
  5. Our sympathy for the loss of Tom the cat, But I'm sure he spent a great journey with you.

    Dog Shock Collar | Puppy & Human Bond

    ReplyDelete
  6. So sorry for Tom, but what a nice long life he had

    Urban Hounds

    ReplyDelete
  7. Farewell Tom. He had a great long life....filled with love.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

    ReplyDelete
  8. Tom sounds like he had the best life. But letting go is not easy. Happy travels Tom I'm sure you are running through the fields filled with flowers.
    Blessings,
    Goose

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm so sorry. :( Tom is having some good romps and sunpuddle naps at the Rainbow Bridge now!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Tom will always be with your family, and you with him in his fine house that Grandpa built. Thank you for sharing your farewell to this awesome feline fellow; we are all thinking of him with you. Peace, Tootsie and family. From Christa, Bruno, Latka, and Olga

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm so sorry to hear about Tom. May your memories keep him alive in your hearts.
    Stewey

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm so sorry! He had such a great life. Run free Tom
    Dachshund Nola

    ReplyDelete
  13. Rest in peace sweet Tom

    Stop on by for a visit
    Kari
    http://dogisgodinreverse.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. So sorry to hear about Tom, but what a wonderful kitty-life he must have lead. He was loved.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am sorry about Tom. He had the best life with all of you.
    I will look in the sky tonight for a new bright star.
    love
    tweedles

    ReplyDelete
  16. The demise is always so very painful, and yet the memories we retain and treasure always. RIP TOM.

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...