My cat died last night.

[Whitacre D_WI]

I don't really know why I call him "my cat" -- I moved out for college in 1993, he was more my mother's cat than mine.

But he was still my kitty.

Spock (his ears looked like a Vulcan's -- so fuck me, I was a nerdy 12-year-old) was a farm kitten when we picked him up in '87. He was my friend through my parents' divorce, through many breakups and putdowns, through all sorts of junior high and high school shit. He was there the first time I got drunk, and the first time I got head.

I moved out, but when I came home for Christmas and Summers, he was always there. Okay, sure -- sometimes he would scratch the hell out of me, but he was half-feral! Give a kitty a break!

Now, whenever I go home, he won't be there any more.

He was seventeen years old. Pretty fuckin' old for an outdoor cat (he was a badass -- he could kick ass as good as he got). He didn't get hit by a car, or et by a varmint, or nothin'. He died because he was old; and had lived as much as any cat could ever wish to.

I hope you enjoy Valhalla, Spock. Loki is now in for a serious scratch-job. May your eternity be filled with salmon and marinara sauce (I never said he was normal). I'll miss you.

[Dookus]

1. sorry to hear that, Whitacre...

it's always sad, but he had a long, good life.

You should get your Mom a new cat.

[Whitacre D_WI]

5. I doubt my mom wants a new cat.

I think my stepfather wants a dog.

If they want to get another pet, that's up to them -- hell, I live 3 states away....

[Jack_Dawson]

2. Sorry to hear that!

I love my kitties...I'd be bummed if they weren't around. But I've had pets die and I know what you're going through. :grouphug:

[moosedog]

3. I'm sorry

I'm very sorry that you lost your friend. I know how it feels as we have lost loved ones. Just know that we care. Mr & Mrs. Moose

[ronnykmarshall]

4. Spock the cat:

You lived long and prosperous!

Sorry, I couldn't pass it up.

It's hard to lose a kitty, he sounded like a kick ass cat.

[Whitacre D_WI]

8. He kicked my ass frequently.

I think I still have scars (like I said, half-feral).

[flamingyouth]

6. Oh, hon, I'm so sorry

May that sweet badass Spock rest in peace.

Hell, may *everyone's* eternity be filled with salmon and marinara. Let's form a religion based on that afterlife.
:hug:

[tigereye]

9. sorry about your kitty Whitacre

sounds like he was pretty important and around for major events.

We had an old lady cat named TC who died when my son was a baby. We had had her for years.. I think she was 16-17. You think they will live forever. I like the idea of him scratching Loki. He deserves it.

[Whitacre D_WI]

10. Forever? Shit, I thought he would have been dead five years ago.

Again, outdoor cat.

Still -- doesn't mean I'm not gonna miss him. :(

[tigereye]

23. I miss having cats

my son is mucho allergo to them. aa-choo.

[Whitacre D_WI]

25. You should get...

...well, damn. Big cat allergies usually preclude birds & dogs, too.


Um -- a toad?

[tigereye]

33. just not a cat with no fur. That would be way creepy.

Hmmm. A toad. A terrarium. He really isn't into reptiles yet, although he did pet a snake at the zoo recently. Previously neither love nor money would get him into the reptile house.

[Whitacre D_WI]

34. SOME birds don't have a lot of dander.

(I'm a bit of a parrot evangelist ;))

[tigereye]

41. I do like birds

don't you have parrots, or something? Not sure I could put up with constant vocalizing though. That's funny, a parrot evangelist. I have this image of you with a parrot on your shoulder and a Birding guide in your hand and white robes and a big tent. Testify! Now I sound like MJ, except there is no racy component. ;) But I guess there could be a pirate component. Now I am making no sense. :)

[Whitacre D_WI]

42. Pirates are racy!

And you have just imagined me perfectly!

[tigereye]

43. that image just seems appropriate somehow

so you like to declaim as you hold your single malt? whiskey of choice on the delights of bird ownership. Well if you and yours ever come to Pittsburgh I will buy you beers or other libation and hear this tale of bird wonder. (note Patti Smith June 6... I am the proselytizer now. Whoever has not seen her needs to!)

Pirates were pretty nasty with a bit of populism thrown in. But Johnny Depp is a pretty cute Pirate if I do say so myself. Sheesh. Pirates and punk guys. I need some estrogen or some other hormone stat.

[Whitacre D_WI]

44. You lucky you.

4 days....

You do know pirates are about nothing other than robbery, murder, and rape? Nasty fellows, they are.

[tigereye]

55. have you seen Patti before?

This will be my third time. I never got to see her back in the old days, and then she was raising her kids in Detroit. I love the idea of Patti Smith as a mom. I have been making up for lost time!


Yes I know real Pirates were not too good (although some of them were quite interesting with a populist streak), but the cartoon ones are ammusing. It's another one of those interesting archetypes. But then I tend to think of everything archetypally these days!

[Whitacre D_WI]

56. Of course, the WORST kind of Pirates...

...are the PITTSBURGH kind! :P:P:P

And no, I've never seen Patti play. :(

[tigereye]

57. yes I am afraid that is true this year

and many of the last years as well. But wow, were they good in the Stargell days and the Barry Bonds/ Bobby Bonilla days. Those were great teams. UH, living on our past glory...

At least we HAVE won a few World Series and come close a few times. Uh, the Reds, well, I can't tease you since I know little about the Reds other than Pete Rose. And even Milwaukee is ahead of us.

Well in regards to Patti, I will send you my analysis next week, of the show if you like. And I could ramble on about the past two shows I saw, one acoustic with poetry and mixed media ( really cool) in the Benedum ( a concert hall here) and the raw rock and roll one I saw in a club. Wow.

[Whitacre D_WI]

60. The Reds won the Series in 1990. They BEAT the Bonds/Bonilla Pirates...

...in the National League Championship Series.

You have to go back to '79 for a Pirates WS win. :P

[tigereye]

61. you are right.

I was thinking of that evil Atlanta game we blew. I don't begrudge the Reds as much as Atlanta. I hate Atlanta with a passion.

[devilgrrl]

7. Sorry about your kitty...

He sounded like he was a lot of fun. :hug:

[Kat45]

11. Sorry to hear that. At least he had a good life, and a long life.

Make sure you give extra love and scritches to Olive and Logos tonight.

[Whitacre D_WI]

13. Oh, they get lots of love and scritches every night!

They are very spoiled birdies!

Spock would have eaten them before I could blink. That's why he lived with my mom. ;)

[Kat45]

31. Doncha know? Birdies are supposed to be spoiled!

LOL At least that's what mine tell me. :-)

[Whitacre D_WI]

32. I love your Grace sig picture.

She is such a pretty birdie from that angle -- Olive has trouble in the winter, and plucks her right breast down to the down. Summers, she's in full feather. Yeah, we use a humidifier and a full-spectrum light, but it doesn't quite solve her plucking problem.

[Kat45]

47. Thanks. Grace is a pretty birdie.

And in that picture, I think she looks like she's smiling.

Poor Olive, with her plucking. Well with summer coming, she'll be looking like the beautiful parrotlet that she is. I might have mentioned it to Stacie before, I forget, but I think Olive is a great name for a parrotlet: they're both little and green; it's so cute.

[Whitacre D_WI]

48. I think it's the winter dryness.

Even with the humidifier, she still plucks her right breast (nothing else, though, thankfully).

[m-jean03]

12. So sorry, Whitacre.

Sounds like he was a great friend!! :cry:

[bubblesby2002]

14. Hey Whitacre

So sorry about Spock. He will be looked after by our lord Astley.:-(

[Whitacre D_WI]

16. It comforts me to know that Our Rick...

...will "never give him up." :)

[Psst_Im_Not_Here]

15. So sorry

May he be in the biggest cat nip field in heaven.

Anybody know how to get my cats to let my catnip seedling actually grow up to be a big catnip plant? They keep eatting it!

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

17. I can think of no better life for a cat

Than to (a) be named Spock, (b) live 17 years, and (c) own a screwball human like you. RIP O8)

[newyawker99]

18. Sorry Whit!

:-(

[Whitacre D_WI]

19. Thanks to all for your condolences.

I know I never talked much about the cat while I was here. Mainly because he hadn't really been "mine" for the past decade.

But I'm still sad that he's dead.

And I still really appreciate your good wishes. :hug:

[Book Lover]

20. Oh, that sucks

I'm sorry, baby. What a long life that cat had! Being named Spock must have had something to do with it, of course :-) And dying in your own goddam bed is something every being should aim for ('cept those that want to die in their boots, also a great way to go).

[Pithlet]

21. I'm sorry.

It's always hard to lose a pet, but when they're from your youth/childhood, it's esepcially sad. :hug:

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

22. I had a cat named Ozzy (initially because his sister was named Harriet by

my Mother) but when she died young he became Ozzy the bat head eater, if you know what I mean. Anyway he was my closest friend during the roughest times of my Dio listening teen years. He died when I was home house sitting one time. Man I cried more than when any family member died.

Whit - I feel your pain but I know this - Valhalla was made for cats. We should have it so good where we're going!

We raise a toast (literally I have a nice IPA in my hand, as does my fiance) to Spock!

TO SPOCK!!!

[Whitacre D_WI]

24. I'm drinking Rosenblum's Oakley Vineyard zinfandel.

I've been toastin' that kitty since I found out (I had already drunk half the bottle by then).

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

26. Easy tiger - your pinky might break off when you raise it

seriously - I thought you drank bourbon!

[Whitacre D_WI]

27. Josh Strength, my friend -- I drink EVERYTHING.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

28. Well well - we finally have something in common!

It's about time

[Whitacre D_WI]

29. Don't forget the Scope!

And vanilla extract!

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

49. What about laudanum my friend?

You could lose your dearest Annabelle Lee and be ok untill the opium hangover came on.

Not to make light if your loss compadre!

[GOPisEvil]

30. Sorry to hear about Spock.

:-(

[Blue-Jay]

35. Sorry to hear that, Vince.

You want a dog? I just saw the cutest one in the world begging for a home....

[Whitacre D_WI]

36. When you were out-of-town? Or in town?

:shrug:

[Blue-Jay]

39. In town. Just a few minutes ago.

It took all my willpower to leave him running the street, but he'll be back. Apparently, he likes cat-food.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

37. Condolences...

I'm so sorry for your loss. Sounds like he was a good friend... :hug:

[NashVegas]

38. {{{{{{{{{ Whitacre }}}}}}}}}}

It sounds like your family gave this kitty a nice, fun life.

Peace.

[Whitacre D_WI]

40. Another thanks to everyone!

:grouphug:

[Wcross]

45. I had a cat that helped me through some rough times as a teen..

His name was Bill the cat. He was my best friend at times during my high school years- the highs and the lows. He lived to the ripe old age of 18! I miss him dearly even though he passed away over 15 years ago.
I am sorry for your loss but you gave Spock a wonderful life.

[elperromagico]

46. I'm very sorry.

I've just been there with my dog, and I know it's rough. Best wishes to you during this time.

[Zuni]

50. My condolences

Hopefully he will find a way to stir up some trouble in heaven. At least he will have a nice big and warm sunny spot to sleep in.

[KCDem]

51. Very sorry to read your sad news.

Sounds like Spock lived a wonderful, happy life.

[SW FL Dem]

52. Sorry to hear that

Glad to hear Spock had a long and good life.

[yellowdog]

53. Don't sweat it.

I firmly believe that when you die Spock will be there to meet you.

[mitchum]

54. I'm sorry to hear that...

Rest In Peace Spock

[Darth_Kitten]

58. Sorry about your kitty.

:(

[Puglover]

59. Ouch, Im sorry...

my pug Nicholas is now 14 years old. He has gone from being my puppy/baby to being my granddad. I keep telling him not to even think about leaving me but I'm aware time is really precious right now. I think it's amazingly hard to lose a pet.

[RebelOne]

62. Sorry, but 17 years old is a long life for cat.

And I'm sure he had a good life. I hope he went without any pain.

[Lou_C]

63. Sorry to hear about your Cat passing

:grouphug:

[Tom Kitten]

64. sorry to hear...

my sympathies to you, I've had a few kitties and lost a few at much younger ages than your Spock. 17 is a ripe old age for a half-feral outdoors cat, though, I'm sure he had a happy life.

[MissMillie]

65. Whit, I'm sorry

I'm sure you'll miss him very much.