Today’s subject is a tough one. First, as many of you saw on our social networks, the month of June started out rough for us. Our 15-year-old cat, Cleopatra, died suddenly. Today, I want to take the opportunity to discuss the life of our wonderfully sweet cat and also the importance of pets in general.
Finding Our Sweet Cat, Cleopatra
We went out and milked Delilah in the evening, came back in an processed the milk, went back out to walk Jadzia…when we returned inside, we saw Cleo laying under the coffee table and our other cat, Lunafreya, sitting next to her. While they weren’t exactly enemies, this immediately set off a red flag. And, as I went to check on Cleo, I fought to accept what I already knew…she was gone. Just about an hour before that she was “bothering” us as we ate dinner, and then she was gone.
A Tribute to Cleopatra
With this event, we knew we wanted to publicly make a tribute to Cleopatra. While we often look to provide actionable insight on this blog, we also look here to share personal developments in our life. In this case, losing Cleo was a big deal. She was the sweetest cat we’ve ever known and two weeks after her death we are still working to adapt.
See, Cleo would spend Victoria’s work day hanging out with her in the office. It was almost nonstop to the point of annoyance. Anytime we ate, Cleo would also be there. She’d beg for any lunch meat, look to eat our cheese, and just generally looked to hand with us whenever possible. Watching TV? She’d likely be lying on one of our laps. If not, she’d be sleeping in the same spot she took her final breathes -right under the coffee table.
And, perhaps most important, she’d be there laying on us when we fell asleep and once again she’d be there when waking up. Basically, she was always by our side. So, as I write this and dry my tears, I metaphorically raise my glass to the memory of this amazing pet.
The Importance of Pets to Us
People talk about being dog people, cat people, or whatever other animal that strikes their fancy. For Victoria and I, there is little distinction. We love animals. Cats, dogs, goats -even our chickens. For us, having animals is important for more than just our homesteading endeavors though. They’re more than just another source of food or protection. They really are part of the family. And, it’s important for us never to underestimate the importance of pets in our lives.
In reality, we spend a lot more time with our pets than we do with most people. And, that’s not to say we care less about people. But, it is important to acknowledge the bond we form with our animals. They are important parts of our lives and they influence decisions we make. Pets can be a great source of joy, and our goal as humans should always be to provide them with the most comfortable and inviting place to live.
Cherish Time with Your Pets
So, as I close today’s post out, I say this for certain -while we said our final goodbye to Cleopatra, she will live on in our hearts and our minds. If you have pets of your own, you already understand the importance of pets in any home. But, tonight before you go to bed, make sure to remind yourself to cherish the time you have with them. You never know when they’ll be gone. Until next time, we’ll see you around the homestead.