Here is Nuff, last summer. He came to us wild and not very friendly. We coaxed him, socialized him, got him neutered, fed him, wormed him, treated him for fleas. We made places for him and his brother, Nexxie, to sleep and be warm.
We loved him.
He repaid us with affection every time we walked by him. He loved us back.
We tried to bring both of them in, even just to the inside porch, but it was not anything either of them were interested in. In fact, they were downright frightened of anything that looked like we were trapping them. They had been outside for their whole lives. They loved hunting in the tall grass, lying in the labyrinth, stalking the bird feeders.
We knew that there was danger for them, and that we wouldn't be able to always protect them.
Mostly from the road.
Today was a beautiful day kayaking for the first time in a year. I'll have to wait and tell you about it later. Cause when we came back to the studio to drop off the kayak, we found Nuff by the side of the road, and it became a sad, sad day.
No matter how much you can do, sometimes it is still not enough.
Nexxie is going to miss you, Nuff.
And so will we.
Now this just makes me cry. We pet lovers all do the very best we can for animals to nurture, feed and protect them and when it's their time there's just nothing we can do about it.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry that Nuff is gone on to kitty heaven, Hilary. May the little one rest in peace chasing butterflies in his new life. xox
Hugs coming your way.
Damn..I know you did so much for them. They have their own minds, though. I hope Nexie will do ok and maybe will now be ready to come in. So sorry, Hilary. It breaks my heart. Hugs, Deb
ReplyDeleteOH, I am so sad for you, for Nexie, and all those who loved and touched this fine soul. I loved these cats through your posts and am now touched by this loss. :-(
ReplyDeleteAww, I'm so sad to read this.
ReplyDeleteYes, you offered them so much, he had a good life, and knew you loved him.
So sorry his young life was cut short.
My heart breaks.
Hugs,
~Jo
Nuff you will be missed.
ReplyDeleteFeral cats just cannot be domesticated.
ReplyDeleteYou did all you could and at least he had a home of sorts with you.
I am very sorry!
ReplyDeleteOh so sorry. He was so very loved, you gave him a good life.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for you to have found Nuff like that. You gave him a good home and all the love he wanted - he had a good life with you and he will be missed.
ReplyDeleteOh Hilary...so sad. xo
ReplyDeleteOh no Nuff! I am so sorry. It made me cry to think of Nexie now being alone and Nuff gone.
ReplyDeleteI fell in love with both of them through your stories.
So very sorry for your loss. Our fur-babies are with us for such a short time. You did all you could to give him a good life.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Rose
Sweet Nuff. I have loved his story ... it's such a tale of love and trust ... at least as much trust as he could give you, which was a lot. So sad. I'm really sorry.
ReplyDeleteHe was cared for, he was loved, he was valued and he was wanted, not much more anyone can want out of life.
ReplyDeleteBless you for making his life a better, more comfortable one. So sorry for the loss. It is never easy. HUGS!
ReplyDeleteAw, so very, very sad.
ReplyDeleteOh no! I'm so sorry, my sweet friend. I am so sad to read this. I'm so glad that Nuff found you to share his sweet life with. And then re-found you. Now that's love. Big hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteI am so sad over losing Nuff...he and Nexxie were a dream team to me...finding just the life they wanted with you...thank you for sharing his short life with us and giving him a place to be loved...I am so sorry for you loss...our loss...
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry
ReplyDeletei am in tears ... oh Hilary i am so so sorry .. i hope he went quickly i cant bear to think of him in pain
ReplyDeleteFriko is wrong - ferals can be domesticated. In fact, when one of my son and daughter-in-laws two ferals did not come back one day, the other one, Patches slowly warmed to scritches and living on the screen porch with a cat flap. He now spends nights inside with his indoor pal, Moocher.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to lose a pet - any pet.
Please accept my condolences for your loss. No matter how long we have our pets, it's never long enough.
ReplyDeleteHaving gone through losing our beloved kitty last summer, my heart goes out to you. Life is short, XOXO
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry !!!
ReplyDeleteI had a feral who would come in the house just for the night. Not always though. One night she didn't come in and I never saw her again. She's the cat in my photo.
So, I know how this goes.
Again, so sorry for your loss.
Brother cats have unique relationships. I had brother cats for a while. Lost one to a heart condition. You might need to get Nex a friend. My KC was so lost without his brother that he laid down and waited to die. The little female I picked up at the animal shelter has stepped into Indy's pawprints.
ReplyDeleteNuff had a wonderful life on his own terms. Not living inside didn't make his life unhappy. He did what he preferred.
O no! Oh dear. I'm so sad. (((Hugs))))
ReplyDeleteSad sad day. :-(
Martha
Hugs to you and Nexie.
ReplyDeleteHe was loved.
{{{hug}}}
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry Hilary. There are no words. You're in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI know I'm a bit late on this post, but so sorry for your loss. Our kitties are so special and we are still grieving over the loss of our Kramer. Miss walking by him and giving him a soft stroke.
ReplyDelete