Hi Krista, thank you for this. I’m sorry about losing Poe. It happens that my mother passed away one week ago, and I thus spent today blogging about comic books, then pigeon proofing the roof of our condo, then scrubbing the front steps, anything it turns out but writing my mom’s death notice for her local paper. I sat to catch my breath and saw my Substack inbox has grown unchecked as I’ve had no I desire to read anything, But I saw your title and got curious and had to click. It really helped to see that grieving by cleaning is understandable and acceptable and that there is no right way to cope with loss, no straight line to walk to get through it. This really helped me today, thank you for your bravery writing it.
I'm so glad I could help today and so sorry about your mother. Staying busy is definitely an option (and also very productive, which I'm all about!), I do hope you find your way to have your moment, however that looks like. Be well!
RIP Poe! I feel this one. Molly passed away in 2020, possibly the worst year of my own life. That was brutal and ill-timed!
Furry friends are still friends, and they matter. I know what you mean about not wanting to have another furbaby any time soon, too, although it's probably gonna happen to you.
We have these pets that pervade our lives. Sorry about your Molly. My childhood one was the beagle Clyde who died as soon as I went off to college - I thought I was responsible for breaking his heart, but it was also cancer. Yeah, never say never. My kids are already using our leftover cat food to feed all the strays...trying not to grab one.
I remember playing at Stain as Poe seemed content with our noise, we even recorded a very long track that is on the internet somewhere in Poe’s presence and titled it “Poe’s Dream”. Poe seemed to enjoy the vibrations of the amp and was our only audience that night, at one point even circling my ankles as we played.
Safe and peaceful travels over the rainbow bridge Poe you surely have seen and heard more then most cool cats 🐈⬛
Such a beautiful piece. And I'm so sorry about Poe. You know how much I've written about my parrot and my losing him, so I'll just say I sure understand. I felt pretty crazy for awhile in my grief. The world seemed altered (and of course, it was). Take good care of yourself for a bit, go easy. xox
Your story touched my heart on so many levels. When my last cat passed, as he was on the vets table, taking his last breaths, I asked him to help me find my next cat. I wasn't planning on that. But six days later, sure enough, Moonshadow came into my life. There's no question in my mind that he sent her to me. He owed me that. He was such a pain in the ass. I loved him. And she helped heal my heart. I am wishing the same for you.
So sad whenever a loved pet moves on. You will find a new furry friend, as I did from Paws Crossed a few months ago. I've always tried to adopt a new kitten or cat a generation younger than my current one, to be what I call a "crossover" pet. We mourn the inevitable losses together, but then still have each other, which helps.
RIP dear Poe. She moved between worlds, survived a marriage, and a pandemic. This post was so bittersweet. I’d be your emergency contact if I lived closer.
Sorry for your loss. I loved this line “The shock of not being needed by a needy/needless thing, of not being annoyed/adored anymore.” It reminds me strongly of my cat June who constantly busts in on video calls demanding to be noticed and petted and sits in my lap for hours.
Hi Krista, thank you for this. I’m sorry about losing Poe. It happens that my mother passed away one week ago, and I thus spent today blogging about comic books, then pigeon proofing the roof of our condo, then scrubbing the front steps, anything it turns out but writing my mom’s death notice for her local paper. I sat to catch my breath and saw my Substack inbox has grown unchecked as I’ve had no I desire to read anything, But I saw your title and got curious and had to click. It really helped to see that grieving by cleaning is understandable and acceptable and that there is no right way to cope with loss, no straight line to walk to get through it. This really helped me today, thank you for your bravery writing it.
I'm so glad I could help today and so sorry about your mother. Staying busy is definitely an option (and also very productive, which I'm all about!), I do hope you find your way to have your moment, however that looks like. Be well!
RIP Poe! I feel this one. Molly passed away in 2020, possibly the worst year of my own life. That was brutal and ill-timed!
Furry friends are still friends, and they matter. I know what you mean about not wanting to have another furbaby any time soon, too, although it's probably gonna happen to you.
We have these pets that pervade our lives. Sorry about your Molly. My childhood one was the beagle Clyde who died as soon as I went off to college - I thought I was responsible for breaking his heart, but it was also cancer. Yeah, never say never. My kids are already using our leftover cat food to feed all the strays...trying not to grab one.
I remember playing at Stain as Poe seemed content with our noise, we even recorded a very long track that is on the internet somewhere in Poe’s presence and titled it “Poe’s Dream”. Poe seemed to enjoy the vibrations of the amp and was our only audience that night, at one point even circling my ankles as we played.
Safe and peaceful travels over the rainbow bridge Poe you surely have seen and heard more then most cool cats 🐈⬛
Sorry for your loss Krista
Wow I don’t think I knew about Poe’s Dream, that’s amazing, I will try to find. What a great story. Thank you so much
Such a beautiful piece. And I'm so sorry about Poe. You know how much I've written about my parrot and my losing him, so I'll just say I sure understand. I felt pretty crazy for awhile in my grief. The world seemed altered (and of course, it was). Take good care of yourself for a bit, go easy. xox
Thank you so much, such a long term companion casts a long shadow that will def endure
Your story touched my heart on so many levels. When my last cat passed, as he was on the vets table, taking his last breaths, I asked him to help me find my next cat. I wasn't planning on that. But six days later, sure enough, Moonshadow came into my life. There's no question in my mind that he sent her to me. He owed me that. He was such a pain in the ass. I loved him. And she helped heal my heart. I am wishing the same for you.
What a beautiful origin story for Moonshadow, thank you for sharing it!
Beautiful
Thank you!
So sad whenever a loved pet moves on. You will find a new furry friend, as I did from Paws Crossed a few months ago. I've always tried to adopt a new kitten or cat a generation younger than my current one, to be what I call a "crossover" pet. We mourn the inevitable losses together, but then still have each other, which helps.
Thank you Dean. I was wondering about fostering at least in the interim.
RIP dear Poe. She moved between worlds, survived a marriage, and a pandemic. This post was so bittersweet. I’d be your emergency contact if I lived closer.
I really thought she'd outlive us all. Thank you, maybe I'll put you down for virtual emergencies ;)
Sorry for your loss. I loved this line “The shock of not being needed by a needy/needless thing, of not being annoyed/adored anymore.” It reminds me strongly of my cat June who constantly busts in on video calls demanding to be noticed and petted and sits in my lap for hours.
Thank you John! It's so weird here they invade all. She would definitely be stopping me from typing right now.