Friday 13 April 2012

Celebrating H.R.H Theodorable


Arrived home from a lovely two days away to find my adorable Theodora in distress. 

Husband, who was away, had seen her last night, and she’d eaten well, but he hadn’t seen her this morning. 

As Mom & I arrived home from Askari Lodge in Magliesberg, HRH keeled over.  I rushed her to the vet, but she died in Mom’s arms on the way there. 

The vet says he’s almost certain she had a heart attack, but could only say for sure if he did an autopsy, which I didn’t want. 

She was nearly 17, which is a good age for a cat, and since my Dad died she hasn’t been looking good – very frail and grumpy and keeping away from us. 

Except, on Monday night (the night before we went to the Lodge) she spent the whole night next to me for the first time in ages.  I’m so saddened by her loss, as she was a sweet and gentle giant – but I’m grateful for all the love she’s given us over so many years, especially how she comforted me through the recent loss of my Dad and 3 years ago, the loss of my other baby, Josephina.

I’m feeling savaged by this loss so soon after my darling Dad died, so if I'm quiet on social media, please understand .




R.I.P. Adorable Theodorable xoxox

My niece Nikki sent me this poem by Constance Jenkins on hearing about the passing of Theodorable:

Weep not for me though I am gone into that gentle night.
Grieve if you will, but not for long upon my soul's sweet flight.
I am at peace, my soul's at rest
There is no need for tears. 
For with your love I was so blessed.
For all those many years.
There is no pain, I suffer not,
The fear now all is gone.
Put now these things out of your thoughts,
In your memory I live on.
Remember not my fight for breath
Remember not the strife.
Please do not dwell upon my death,
But celebrate my life.                                   Copyright 1992 Constance Jenkins


12 comments:

Damaria Senne said...

I am sorry for your loss Judy, and for the fact that the losses seemto be piling up. I will pray for you that some good things also start happening to you.

Frances Garrood said...

Oh Judy, you are having a horrible year. I do hope things look up for you soon x

Bish Denham said...

I'm so sorry, Judy. I know how hard it must be. And yet... the poem says it all. Celebrate life. Big hugs, Bish

Linda Cassidy Lewis said...

Sorry to hear of this extension on your season of loss, Judy.

Judith Mercado said...

I am so sorry, Judy. Years ago, I too went away on a trip and came back to a cat "Misty Beauty" who had lost so much weight she looked skeletal and left us not long after. I wondered if she had died from a broken heart. I wonder the same thing about yours, too. It is a double blow for you and I am sorry for you and hope you can find peace and solace soon.

Jemi Fraser said...

So sorry about HRH. She had a good life with you. Treasure the memories *hugs*

Unknown said...

I am so sorry!

A Cuban In London said...

I'm sorry about your loss. Maybe you could take comfort in the fact that you gave Theo a good seventeen years.

Take care.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Dear Judy .. I am so sorry at HRH's parting and your loss .. but Nikki's poem says it all. Animals they always seem to know our needs .. and she waited for you - they pull our heartstrings so much - and will continue to do so.

I'll always remember HRH's quiet padding to the Post Office for me, and her wonderful gifts - almost a year now ... seems so recent, yet so much has happened.

Be peaceful, she has had a blessed life with you - and shared your writing, your book publication, your stories .. and now I suspect she will be entertaining us in times ahead ...

I'm glad you had a good couple of days away .. Magliesburg is beautiful ..

With many thoughts to you all .. Hilary

Tabouleh said...

Pets are like family and when they die, they leave such a void as any other member would... I am very saddened that you had to go through this shortly after your dear father chose to leave this realm. I am sorry! Maybe it is time to bring in another pet to slowly fill that void you are experiencing. Much love to you and yours Judy.

Ann Summerville said...

Oh Judy, I'm so sorry. They are such a part of the family - I feel your pain.
Ann

Judy Croome | @judy_croome said...

Thank yo all for your kind thoughts and condolences on the loss of HRH. It's no less a bereavement because for all the years she blessed me with her love, she's been my "child".

I am feeling rather battered at the moment – yesterday (21/4) was a year that my father in law died, then my aunt, then my dad, and now my adorable furkid HRH Theodorable. But...the last time I went through a phase like this (1990) where I lost so many close family members in a very short period, it was painful at the time, but later on, when I looked back I saw it was a time that ushered in a whole new period of growth and adventure.

As Kahlil Gibrain says, "your pain is the breaking of the shell of your understanding." So true, because when life has settled again, I'm sure I'll find that I look at things in a new and (hopefully!) better way.

And there are some joys too, despite all the current sadness...watch for my next blogpost! :)