Thursday, December 8, 2011

Good bye dear pet...

I have been away from my blog for so long now and I was hoping to do
a post on my new home. Busy working lots of hours, moving and fighting
a cold put things on hold.
Last Friday our beloved cat Acoya became sick. We think he had a stroke.
Having just moved into the new place Acoya seemed to have happily settled in.
Going outside and exploring the new yard he was right at home.

He became ill and went downhill quickly and passed on Tuesday night.
Acoya was 16 years old and i was sure he would make it to 25 but sadly i was wrong.
To say i am devastated is an understatment. He was the last of my three cats.

Acoya (as my cousin lovingly put it) was an extrodinary cat full of character.
Extremely intelligent, funny as hell and at times very grumpy.
I have so many stories about this cat they could very easily be in a book.

I rescued him at four weeks of age along with his two sisters. He was nasty as
can be and his sisters were the sweetest. I found homes for them and kept him
knowing no one would want this hissing, spitting kitten. When i brought him
home he immediately bonded with the dog and hated people.

What kepted him from being kicked out of our family was his crazy, funny
antics. He always had us in stitches...even the neighbours loved him.

Acoya was also very beautiful. A huge cat with a big plume tail that was always
proudly up. He had the biggest green eyes.
He knew his name and always came when called. He also knew what commands
like "are you hungry?" or "do you want outside ?" meant. Acoya was unbelievable.

Acoya got along with every cat he met. It was not unusual to see him on our porch
with a stray. I used to think he told them that "his mom would feed them"
He also got along with other dogs in the neighbourhood.

As you can see from this photo he loved our old dog Jack. He thought of Jack
as his mother. When Jack passed away Acoya went into mourning. He would
walk through the house howling. It was quite horrible. That is when he finally
allowed me to hold him. Ten years it took before he actually let me hold him
and he would purr!


When we got our new dog Pilot he hated her. As you can see from this photo


he was not impressed with this puppy.


So for three years it was a hate relationship for Acoya....
And then we moved across Canada and something changed...





An extrodinary cat that has broken my heart. He will be so missed by us here.


I will miss his daily howls and talking. He was a real talker. I will miss him driving


my husband crazy on purpose. I will miss his galloping through the door...


I will miss the mornings when he turns us all upside down like a tornado with


his crazy antics and getting Pilot all worked up only to quickly disappear to


go back to bed.


Thank you Acoya for 16 memorable years... we will miss you!


Pamela xo

41 comments:

  1. Awww...I am so sorry for your loss. Acoya sounded like a very unique cat, that indeed was a great part of your family. Sounds like you have some great and very funny memories. XO

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  2. So sorry to hear about your dear friend. Pets add so much to our lives. They always give and never take. Hugs, Cindy

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  3. Oh Pamela, I am so sorry to hear that your cat has passed away! I completely understand loving a cat that didn't particularly love you all of the time. My prayers and good wishes go out to you.
    It sounds like your Acoya was quite a character and it's the characters that we miss the most.
    I'm looking forward to seeing your new home! Get well soon, those sweet old ladies at Safeway need you! :)
    Hugs, Cindy

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  4. Oh Pamela! I am so sorry! I wish you would have emailed me! I have been so caught up with our craziness here. My heart goes out to you my friend. This is such a loving tribute to your Acoya. I hope your heart mends soon.
    Hugs...

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  5. So sorry. He was truly a member of the family. I hate it when our pets have to leave us. So much grief. At least you have fond memories and I hope they can carry you through this time. Maybe you should journal a book, so you don't forget.

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  6. Oh Pamela, I am so sorry to hear this! I love the story you told...he sounds like a wonderful cat...I know he will be missed terribly! XO

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  7. *** I don't think I've ever visited before, but I saw your "headline" and my heart told me I just had to stop by... I am SO SORRY for your loss of that darling character you loved sooooo much, ACOYA.

    All of us "animal lovers" have felt this great pain & emptiness, & Jim n' I are at the age now where we've lost several of our beloved dogs over time... It never gets "easier" because we LOVED them soooo much & they were such BIG PARTS of our lives... but as you know, time brings occassional smiles of the silliness our pets can bring to everyday life! And THAT translates, to me anyway, a heartfelt smile of remeberance.

    It MAY just help you to know that precious ACOYA KNOWS he had a wonderful life, with a most loving family. And YOU should know he is WELL & ROMPING, right this minute, up there in pet heaven, having fun making new friends, & hopefully meeting our most wonderful MacArthur, Sam, Mikey & BD... they'll take wonderful care to greet him & treat him right, I promise.

    Most warmly,
    Linda in AZ *
    bellesmom1234@comcast.net
    (Belle is one of our two dogs)

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  8. So sorry to read of the passing of your cat. Pets become entwined in our lives and its very hard when they pass. That was a lovely tribute.

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  9. Pamela I'm so sorry that you have lost your sweet baby. This was such a wonderful tribute to him and the happiness and loyalty that he brought to your family.

    Blessings to you and your family.

    hugs
    Sissie

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  10. I'm so sorry Pamela! So hard to lose our pets, they are such a part of the family. You'll have many memories to cherish...
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  11. So sorry to hear of your loss. Wishing you a little holiday cheer to help you get through this time. May your Christmas be blessed and hope you feel better soon!

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  12. Pamela, I am so sorry to hear that you lost your wonderful Acoya. Its good that he didn't have a long illness. I grew up with a big, smart crazy cat, and I know how big a place they hold in your family. And when we lost our parrot after 20 years, my heart was truly broken too. All I can say is that the pain will diminish and you will always enjoy your wonderful memories, and the knowledge that you gave him a wonderful home and great life!

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  13. I am so sorry to hear of your loss Pamela! Our pets become such important family members and their loss is never forgotten. My love to you and Sam.

    Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

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  14. Pamela,
    Boy cats are the best! I grew up with "Fugi" who slept with our Shepard named "Promise". Your beautiful photographs brought back warm memories of my childhood.

    Acoya had the most wonderful eyes! I love how you wrote about his life. Your family cherished him so. I am truly sorry for your loss.
    Take care, I think about you often. Hopefully life will slow down a bit in the New Year.
    ~Lynne
    [w/L]

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  15. Awwwwwwwwwww.... he sounds like such a character. That was a great story about him. Thanks for sharing, i know you will miss that big personality in your house...

    Cindy

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  16. I am so sorry.
    For something so small,
    they leave a really big hole in your heart
    when they leave.

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  17. Sorry about your cat, Pam. I know how much you love your pets!

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  18. Sweet dear story! Thanks for sharing...and nice to hear from you!

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  19. I am so sorry for your loss......
    My daughter, Amber, still has 2 cats from her childhood. July is 19......Snowball is 14. She dreads the day oneof them goes. Bot are on Rx daily. Louis Dean and I have our own dearly beloved feline......Miss Maggie is nearly 7 years old.

    Your Acoya sounds like he held your hearts firmly in his little paws.......just as you held his heart inside yours.

    You

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  20. I am so sorry to hear about your dear cat Pamela! How sad for your family! I know how hard it is to lose a pet! I have been thinking about you lots and wondering how you are and how your move went. You were very much on my mind this week and I was going to email you to make sure that you were okay. I miss your sweet posts, but I understand how life can be very busy at times, and certainly blog breaks are needed when other things in life take over! Wishing you a restful weekend my friend! Sending love your way....Angie xo

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  21. I am so sorry for your loss. Acoya was blessed to have you as his mom.

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  22. Oh I am so sorry to hear about your beloved cat. We lost our sweet cat Nip this summer, he had been with us for 15 years. My eyes play tricks on me when our other cat turns the corner, and it looks like Nip~
    Bristol

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  23. Oh my dear, my heart breaks for you this morning. I am new to cat world as I adopted a rescue kitten last year and am totally besotted. May all of the sweet and funny memories of your dear friend bring you comfort.
    xx
    V

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  24. The loss of a pet is never easy. I like to think that writing this tribute has helped you feel "good".

    So sorry to hear this sad news.

    Jeannette

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  25. Pamela,
    So sorry for your loss. A pet is a member of the family and their passing hurts just like that of a loved one.
    Peace.

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  26. Your kitty is such a great loss! I feel you girl, when I lost by beloved dog I had my heart split in two... I know he's in a better place but the sadness remains... It will heal with time, and Im sure your boy is still around you all! many hugs and prayers your way!

    blessings,

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  27. Oh I'm so so sorry for the loss of Acoya. He seems absolutely awesome.....a true cat. May your hearts heal very soon.

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  28. I know a little piece of your heart has left with sweet Acoya. There is just nothing to describe the joy pets bring into our lives. Their loss is felt for always.

    Sending you lots of warm thoughts and big hugs Pamela!
    xo Catherine

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  29. Hi Pam ... oh so sorry for your cat,I can wel imagine how much you missed your pets if they missed or passed...
    Hope everything will be in good shape in your new home... waiting for your dreamy and sweet posts...
    Happy if you come to see me at
    http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
    with love from
    Farah

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  30. I am so sorry. Somehow I missed this post and am reading it a week later, but I am so so sorry about Acoya. It is so hard to lose one of our babies. My heart is breaking for you.

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  31. I am so sorry to hear about your cat. He sounds like he was a beloved friend to you. I am thinking of you today, and sending love your way.
    ~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

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  32. OMG Pam I am so sorry for your loss. He was such a nice cat. May his memories live with us. :(

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  33. I'm so sorry about Acoya Pamela. I know only too well how this loss feels having lost our cat after 21 special years with her. At least that gorgeous boy was much loved and well cared for by you and your family for a long time.

    Lots of changes happening in your world dear. I've been traveling and only now have a little time free to catch up - surprised to find you have moved and may move again later. Hope everything works out well and that the coming New Year will bring you much happiness wherever you decide to put down roots.

    Take care - hugs, Mary

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  34. So sorry for your loss Pamela. It's been a while since I commented, but wanted to say that your dear cat was so fortunate to have someone like you as his "Mom". May your many happy memories comfort you today. Love, Penny

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  35. Pam, I am so sorry for your loss of Acoya...cats are so special and I know this because I have four....My oldest cat, Chloe, is 18 years old....I know my days with her are limited and I can't bear to think of my days without her...

    Saying prayers for you...

    Lou Cinda

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  36. Pamela, I am so sorry I missed this post and so sorry for your loss. My cat Rusty was 16, too when he died in April. I know how hard it is. I hope time has helped heal the pain. Missing you in blog land. I know you are busy working and moving. I hope you share your new home soon.

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  37. I am so sorry I missed this post, dear friend. Words cannot express my sadness for your loss.
    I will pray you find peace in your memories of your angel.
    xoxo
    Andie

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  38. so sorry, a sad time for you. Our pets are so loved and part of our lives. So happy for the good memories you will always cherish. hugs, Janet

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  39. WHat a handsome cat Acoya was! I am sad to hear that she passed away and know your loss is a big one. We love our pets dearly, they do have their own special qualities and it was nice reading about this great cat. 16 years is a long time to have had her...I know our Dillon is only supposed to last 10-12 years...and it is a day I don't look forward to.

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  40. I just found your blog and read the story about your cat. I am so sorry for your loss, we lost our house cat last year. She was 15 but we miss her. I have three cats now , all strays that have come to our home and stayed. Of course why would they leave, they get very good food and care. I always take in the ones that show up. I joined yor blog and hope you will join me to read about my farm girl life.

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I love love reading all your comments!! They mean so much to me...thank you..Pamela xo