wolfie
Wolfie died on August 1st. He had been sick for several months so it was no surprise, but after living with him for 17 years I felt abruptly cut loose.
The following week I brought his ashes home in a little cardboard box with a label that read, “This is Wolfie. The companion of Estyn Hulbert.” — which I find strangely compelling. Tightly fitted inside was another box, this one made of something solid and mahogany-colored with a beveled edge at the top.
I had thought I would bury his ashes right away, but the box is still sitting on my studio desk and I can’t bring myself to spread his remains in the damp fall earth. Maybe I’ll wait until spring, when the dampness promises warmth and growth instead of dark days and freezing. Wolfie spent his final years being an old grump of a feline, so I think I’ll plant a crabapple tree over him, in honor of his crabbyness.
The household feels lopsided without him but Annabelle, Maxie, Noola and I are slowly adjusting. Extra love. Extra kindness. For all of us.
September 24th, 2012 at 9:27 am
How lovely to have had 17 years together, lucky Wolfie had a marvelous home and charming companion.
September 24th, 2012 at 10:05 am
sorry. i lost my sweet Was too.
September 24th, 2012 at 1:13 pm
Sweet old grump. Spring and growth and crabapples sound just right. xo.
September 24th, 2012 at 7:29 pm
Sending virtual hugs your way. I still hear the Pest’s pawsteps now and then, although she’s been gone since Thanksgiving.
September 25th, 2012 at 1:20 pm
This is lovely. Such a great photo. And I love the crab apple idea. Perfect for the little man who disdainfully cleaned himself everywhere I touched him. Even though I first mixed nutritional yeast into his food 15 years ago!!
October 4th, 2012 at 3:02 pm
My first-ever kitty, Isaac, just passed too. So sad. 🙁 I like the crab apple tree idea though! It’s a good way to remember him with humor.
December 13th, 2012 at 9:36 pm
I think a crabapple is very fitting. Plus you can sit beneath it.
April 29th, 2013 at 8:20 pm
[…] friend Annabelle left us ten days ago. She died quickly and without help, and I buried her with Wolfie’s ashes, since they were such good buddies, and planted a beautiful crabapple tree over […]