Saturday, June 23, 2018

our good Henry

Yesterday morning at five thirty my brother came into my room and said that Henry was laying on the kitchen floor, and he thought he had died. Yes, he had - and he was still warm.  I have tears at the back of my eyes all the time.

my favorite picture of him - and so nice they both looked at the camera

Looking back, lately he has been a little slower to come to meals and sleeping more. He also hadn't been hanging out near the radio as usual. But - we finally got rid of the old living room rug, and I just imagined he didn't like laying on the bare floor, or didn't like the idea of change. But he probably just didn't feel that great; he had been staying on a little rug in my brother's room. Poor Henry! We didn't realize.

He lived with us for seven and a half years, and we didn't know where he came from or his age. So he may have been around Dolly's age - we just didn't expect to lose him yet. He didn't do what I thought cats always did at the end, hide way underneath places, and cry when they're dying. This is what I've experienced. But if Henry had cried out yesterday morning, I think one of us would have heard him, so I really think God was merciful to him and his heart just stopped or something like that. 

He was a pious cat. (We used to joke about this.) But we have a habit of praying a rosary decade on Sunday night, and he would always come by and stay near us. 

"meditating" at Christmas - silly, I suppose, but there it is


when we used to let him out, Henry visiting with our statue of St. Francis

The other cats' mealtimes are all messed up now, because Henry always knew exactly when it was noontime and when it was five o'clock or any time to eat. The others slept later today and then I suddenly remembered to feed them two hours past the right time. He almost always greeted you, even if you just walked by - he would make a little noise, like "huh", or some such. This seemed like good manners to me. He was often underfoot and could be so annoying, but he was always nearby, and I'm missing him so much.

Maybe I will think of more to say in coming days, but for now I'm getting too teary-eyed.


Let us pause in life's pleasures to count its many tears
While we all sup sorrow with the poor;
There's a song that will linger forever in our ears,
Oh! Hard times, come again no more. 

'Tis the song, the cry of the weary,
Hard times, hard times, come again no more;
Many days you have lingered around my cabin door,
Oh! Hard times, come again no more.

While we seek mirth and beauty and music light and gay
There are frail forms fainting at the door;
Though their voices are silent, their pleading looks will say
Oh! Hard times, come again no more.

'Tis the song, the cry of the weary,
Hard times, hard times, come again no more;
Many days you have lingered around my cabin door,
Oh! Hard times, come again no more.

- Stephen Foster




Good night, Henry!

(edited to add a photo - 6/24)

18 comments:

  1. Dear Lisa, I'm so sorry to hear about Henry. He sounds like he was such a gentleman. I know you miss him, yet you wrote so eloquently about him. Thankyou for sharing your thoughts.

    And such a beautiful poem! xx

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  2. I am so sorry! What a special cat! My prayers sympathy and love!♡♡♡♡♡

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    1. Yes, he was special - he was different, and we're realizing what a hole is in our home now. It used to be I couldn't open a cabinet door without Henry coming over, hoping for food - you can imagine that it might be annoying - and now I can open anything and nothing happens. It's so strange. Thank you for your sympathy! xo

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  3. I'm so very sorry, Lisa. I've been there many times in the past and it's so horribly painful. He was a sweet little boy, and you gave him a good and loving life. I remembered you and your brother at Mass this morning. (I usually lurk and don't comment, but felt I must today.)

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  4. Oh, Lisa! I am so sorry! May God bless you and your brother in your sorrow. My prayers are with you both and your little brother, Henry. xxxx

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  5. Thank you, Clare! Yes, our little brother - we didn't realize we would miss him so much. xo

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  6. Oh, Lisa! I'm so sorry. I dread it, with Stuffed. I'm so very sorry. You and your brother gave Henry such a good, loving, and safe life, and I hope there's comfort and peace for you in knowing that. How are the other cats doing? Love and prayers to you all. ♥

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  7. Thanks, Val! xoxo We made sure they both came along and saw/sniffed him. It's hard to know how their minds work. That evening, Dolly was definitely looking around for him, he was such a familiar body in my brother's room at night. It's so quiet and dull around here now.

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  8. Hi Lisa,
    I've only commented once but follow your blog all the time...I'm so sorry for your heartbreaking loss...Henry looks like such a treasure...so handsome and sweet. Hugs and prayers to all your little family. I know this is a huge loss, but I'm sure he was one lucky little cat! Sorry, diana

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    1. Yes, I remember you, Diana. Thank you! It was just so unexpected. Well, he doesn't seem to have suffered much because it was so sudden, so I'm glad for his sake. :) xo

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  9. Oh, Lisa--my heart hurts for your missing your friend. I am glad he seems to have gone fast and quietly. What a blessing. I wish your household well as you all settle into the routine without Henry's prompting.

    And I don't think your recognizing his piety is silly at all. Cats, indeed most animals, have a lot going on when people are sensitive enough to see and acknowledge it. You make me realize I wish to have a statue of St. Francis in my garden and when I do I will think of Henry and you as I place it.

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    1. Thank you, Beth, for your kind words. xo

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  10. I bet you are really missing him when you pray! I'm so sorry! What an empty place there is now. A pet like Henry becomes so important part of your life -- and then, suddenly gone. It's very sad.

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    1. Yes, very suddenly! Thank you, Gretchen. xo

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