Last night when I got home from work, I found Oliver had died. I don’t know what happened as when I left for work at 4:00 he was snuggled down into Mike’s arms biting his nose. I would have to say he either threw a clot, had a heart attack or a brain lesion.

I will miss my kitty who used to live in my tennis shoe- He had a long, happy life here with us for many years and was one of my core kitties. I am so numb right now, I can’t even cry.

“Go gently into the night, my gray and white prince. Thank you for all the love, all the laughter and all the snuggles and headbumps. Thank you for gracing our lives with your presence. You will be sorely missed and forever loved.”

It is a time of loss all the way around. It is part and parcel of being in the rescue portion of cat care. One great lady who also rescued, has recently died. Kari Winters was a quiet, wonderful force and friend to feline and canine. I have done something that I hate having done to me. I have taken a great poem and rewrote it to fit her life. It drives me crazy when folks do that to one of my poems about horses- but I would hope the original poet Mary Frye would understand.

Do Not Stand at My Grave
(With my apologies to Mary Frye)

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I no longer sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain.
I am the fields of strays, hunting their game.
I am in the early morning hush of purrs,
I am in the graceful crush of silky fur,
Of beautiful cats who capture the light.
I am the glow of the eyes piercing the night.
I am in the catnip when it blooms.
I am with you in a quiet room.
I am in the tomcats when they sing.
I am the laughter when kittens find string.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there — I do not die.

MA