RIP Graciela

It’s the end of an era. The Fat Cat, Phat Cat, King Kitty, Globetrotting Godfather of Chansikitties has passed. We brought him to the vet last Saturday to be put to sleep. He was 18 years old and hadn’t been happy for a while, so it was time. He meowed heartbreakingly loudly once when we stepped into the elevator, like what’s going on guys? And then he was silent all the way to the vet and on the table, like he knew and was at peace with the coming final sleep.  

Graciela, you and I had our moments. Well, mostly I had my moments with you. Evil-stepmother-severely-allergic-to-you moments I’m not proud of. Particularly when you pooped or peed where you shouldn’t. But you were an old cat and didn’t mean it.

Despite our baggage, you were still family and this is my tribute to you.

Thank You Graciela for your presence in our home.

Thank You for being there for my husband for 18 years, more than half of his life, through really tough times when he was ill, before I knew him, and seeing him through recovery and whole health.

Thank You for being the sooper trooper traveling cat, living in Florida, San Francisco, Singapore and NYC, letting us move you in a shopping cart, coming with us to flea market sales, camping and the park. Thank You for taking Fat jokes like a champ and being a gracious conversation piece because of your girth.

Thank You for letting my daughter pet you roughly, walk all over you, and sit on you like a chair.

Thank You for being the one kitty that held, licked, bathed  our other incorrigible kitties (even though it bordered on pedophilia) like a great Poppa when none of them can get along with each other. 

Thank You for making our home feel like home with your annoying croaking meows (how bizarre is it that you had always had a croaky meow, just like your owner has his croaky voice?) whenever you were hungry, which was often (hey it takes a lot to maintain that figure!), because you know what? Our home really feels empty without your croaky meow now. I am astonished at how empty it feels.

Be well, Graciela. You were a great cat & we love you.

In the light