Saturday 26 January 2013

"Smoke(y) gets in your eyes." R.I.P

Quote: The only thing better than a cat is a kitten.

He crawled deep into my heart, that's why there are tears in my eyes, for a short while he was a part of my life but he left an indelible memory.

On the farm where I live there are five dwellings, the original old farm house where the farmers son and daughter in law life, the "new" farm house where the farmer lives, and three cottages built around a large oval garden. The whole complex is fenced in and the original farm house has a diamond mesh fence surrounding it. My cottage is directly opposite the old farm house. In the large back yard of the old farm house, securely fenced off, lives a very bad tempered Rottweiler. Smokey somehow managed to get through this fence and the Rottweiler made short work of him sometime Monday night. 


Click to enlarge.

The day he crawled into my heart, taken in the school staff room. Photo by Hazel Stanley. Hazel found the kittens dumped on the road on her way to school.


View of the old farm house from my back door. A small piece of paradise, unfortunately there is always a snake in Paradise.

On Monday afternoon late, Enrico Bucceri, (aka the Italian leprechaun), a colleague of mine who also lives on the farm now, had coffee with me. About 5:30 pm he went home and Smokey followed him. Booch, as Enrico is known to all, adopted Smokey's brother and Smokey just loved to play with him. When the two of them got to Boochs' cottage the two cats ran off to play in the garden. Later Boochs' kitten returned and he assumed that Smokey had gone home. 

I hunted high and low for him until late but to no avail. Next morning I phoned Owen, the farmer, and asked him to keep an eye out for my kitten, about a half hour later he phoned to tell me the sad news.

There are ten dogs on the farm, four large dogs and six small dogs. Smokey played with nine of them, he might even have thought he was a dog, so he had no fear of dogs.



The Italian leprechauns cottage partially visible on the right. This cottage suddenly became vacant in November last year and the leprechaun decided he would would like to rent it.


"He ain't heavy, he's my brother." Smokey using Sissy as a mattress. Photo taken by E Bucceri.


His chair.

Bird watching, with intent.

Rest in peace my little friend.

7 comments:

Pumice said...

I can only feel a small part of the pain but it comes through. All I can offer is,

Grace and peace.

kare said...

Oh NO!
So Sorry for your loss.
We have adopted a Portch kitty... who doesn't tolerate being in-doors like our indoor kittys do.. so...knowing the wild residents here: Coyote and Kit fox...we realize we are risking heartbreak if he disapears.
These little sweeties just make thier homes in our hearts & we do the best we know how.
We must enjoy the blessings while we can.
Prayers to you.

Gorges Smythe said...

Please except my condolences on the loss of your little friend. They're so much more faithful than most people.

e.m.b. said...

I'm so very sorry, Phillip. Animals have a way of sneaking into the most special places in our hearts...may yours find comfort through this loss.

Mark Kautz said...

I'm so sorry your lost Smokey. Those darn little gray things do take a piece of your heart when they go. I remember losing Smudge and it hurts.

Jo said...

Ah no, Phillip. I wondered why I never saw any posts and I missed this one. How terribly sad to have lost dear little Smokey, whom I met in December, and photographed playing with the dogs! I am so sorry and I am sitting here crying for your loss. Big hugs and healing prayers for you. Love Jo

Joyful said...

Oh Phillip, such sad news. What a terrible way for a little darling kitty to go. I'm glad the two of you found each other, albeit briefly and I really hope there are kittens and cats and dogs, etc. in heaven.