Goodbye, sweet Zoë

I was building a new life in California, but hadn’t yet settled in.  I went looking for a kitty, in hopes that s/he would help ease the transition, and it was then that I learned that you don’t pick your animal companions–they choose you.

When I first saw "my" kitty, she was sharing a cage with other rescue cats. One by one, her more gregarious siblings got adopted. She huddled in the corner, looking all scrawny and forlorn, one of two kittens left behind at the end of the day. But as soon as the adoption specialist placed her in my arms, she scrambled up my shirt, nuzzled into my collar, and started purring. Loudly. I hadn’t planned on adopting a kitty that very day, but when she tightened her tiny paws around my neck, I couldn’t resist.
T. S. Eliot suggests The Naming of Cats is a complicated matter. But the Greek word for ‘life’ came immediately to mind. Fresh starts for both of us–it seemed fitting. I tried it out on her, and she responded with one of her signature chirps. And so it was that my new friend first allowed me to call her Zoë.

The minute we walked through the front door, she let it be known that she owned our house and everyone in it.


Naughty kitty! Her first week home, she napped in the fruit bowl.


Zoë with David. They look so cute together–and so young!

She blossomed quickly into a Cat of Great Importance. More fur than flesh, the fact remained: Zoë had a lot of "loft." Or as my husband liked to say, "a wide aspect ratio." Here she is, fully grown, quite possibly contemplating her next meal.

Girth aside, there never was a sweeter, more gentle cat than Zoë. Nothing fazed her, except perhaps Le Chat Lunatique, who earned a quick cuffing now and again. I’d never heard a cat "sing" before, but she communicated her contentedness with chirps and trills. When I returned home from work or running errands, she always greeted me at the door, chin lifted and tail as straight as a flagpole. And when she first met the man who eventually became my husband, she twirled around his ankles, purring up a storm, and then rolled right onto her back. Shameless hussy!

Like so many zafteig felines, Miss Zoë had a well-developed sense of leisure. She was the very definition of Zen. She loved sitting in an open window…

…and daydreaming in her not-so-secret hideaways.

But lest you think her lazy, I should also tell you that we were co-workers, Miss Zoë and I. Her main job was to sit atop my desk, spurring me ever onward with my writing. As you can see, she took that assignment very seriously.

Among her other duties: keeping tabs on her mischievous sister, and finding clever ways to make clear that it was quitting time.

Who was it that said, "Cats are a whole lot of company"? They were right–and then some!

Unfortunately, Zoë developed a heart and lung condition. We did all we could to keep her comfortable, ever mindful of that point where discomfort turns into suffering. Though each breath was effortful, she kept right on chirping…until yesterday, when she let us know that it was time to say our final goodbyes.

If I could pick any kitty in the world as my animal companion, I’d always choose Zoë. And I’ll be forever grateful that she chose me.

  2. Melodye, my heart aches for you. I know how much Zoe meant to you, and how much you are grieving now. My thoughts are with you today…

  7. What a beautiful cat. And such a difficult loss. Thank you for sharing your memories and pictures of Zoe. My thoughts are with you. -Nancy

  11. Oh Melodye, hugs, hugs, and more hugs. Thank you for sharing a little bit of Zoe with us. What a huge hole her leaving must have left behind. I’m so very sorry you had to say goodbye to such a wonderful friend.

  13. I Have No Words For You

    except I know your pain, my heart breaks for you. We think we’re rescuing them…and they rescue us.

    Emjae

  17. Oh, Melodye. I am so sorry to hear about Zoë and so happy that you both had each other. You are both big balls of love. There is no way around it. I am so sorry that she is gone. Lyra and I are sending you hugs.

  28. I’m so sorry you lost Zoe, but I’m glad you two found each other in the first place. What an adorable and affectionate companion.

  30. This whole photoessay is marvelous, and I love the line, “well-developed sense of leisure.” I hope that all the joy she brought you is comforting you now, at this sad time.

  36. Melodye, I am so very sorry. You must hurt so much right now. Zoë sounds like a wonderful companion of exactly the kind we need on our journey through life.
    My warmest thoughts are with you.

  37. I am your new friend–glad you found me, even gladder I found you. Of course, your post made me cry. Zoe was so beautiful and sweet. Our 16-year-old Xenia left this world in December so I know how you feel. It’s a wonderful tribute to a well-loved companion.

  38. Melodye, my heart aches for you. I know it hurts when you loose a pet. You are right when you said Zoe chose you. Let some time pass and Zoe will lead you to another lost one that needs exactly what you gave Zoe. She is saying to you now,”I know exactly what you need and want.”
    Hugs from Texas.

  39. I’m weeping. It feels so wrong you had to say goodbye to your dear friend, but so right that you found each other and had those years together. This is such a beautiful tribute, Melodye.

    I’m sending you a hug…

  40. I’m weeping. It feels so wrong you had to say goodbye to your dear friend, but so right that you found each other and had those years together. This is such a beautiful tribute, Melodye.

    I’m sending you a hug…

  42. {{{Hugs))) I cried when I read your beautiful tribute to Zoe. I’m so sorry for your loss. She was lucky to have claimed you for her own. And they do claim us!

    It sounds as if she was one in a million. Thank you for allowing us a peek at her life with you. I love the punch bowl shot. That’s so cat!

  43. Just got back from vacation to see this, Melodye. I’m sending you, your family, and your Zoë much love and many peaceful thoughts.

  45. Oh Melodye… I’m so, so, so sorry for your loss. Zoe is a beautiful girl and I’m so glad that you got to share time in this life with her. I know you gave her a warm and loving home and I know that she gave you all the love within her in return. I’m sorry for your loss, Melodye. It’s never easy to lose our companions. *HUGS*

  51. Zoe is gorgeous! What beautiful coloring and has! Oh, my, this post made me start to cry! I have 5 cats and one has not been doing well. Avoiding the inevitable for awhile . . .

  52. Zoe is gorgeous! What beautiful coloring and has! Oh, my, this post made me start to cry! I have 5 cats and one has not been doing well. Avoiding the inevitable for awhile . . .

  53. Anonymous

    message from Debbie about your cat Zoe…

    Dear Melodye,

    I am so sorry to hear of the death of your beloved companion. She has added so much to your life and that of your family….the pictures and stories were delightful about her and I am certain she is pleased in her new life wherever kitties go in the next life by your tribute to her! Best wishes to you and your family as you move forward in the grieving stages and congratulations on the new addition to your family!

    Love,
    Debbie

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