Saturday, June 26, 2010

Guido 1991-2010

The results came back and they were very bad. The night before we were almost giddy, feeling somehow that we might have cheated death the way Grandma Beetle does in Yuyi Morales's Just a Minute book. When I told my 84 year old extraordinary mom-in-law about this she said in her Zen Buddhist way "no-one cheats death." Yesterday we put Guido down and buried him near the redwood grove in her yard. It was unbearably painful. He was between 96 to 100 years old in human years and as Guy often pointed out, he had a better life than many humans do. I have wonderful pictures of him from kittenhood on but can't find that darn album. Here are some pictures of him that I could access.

 Guido and Guy


Guido and Possum


 Guido and art. Our old cat gallery on left, and Guido's delight in jumping onto my art table, especially into wet paint, with which he would then gleefully run tracking throughout the apartment.


Guido in art. Guido snuck into this painting detail from a commission I did of someone's Pacific Height's view (it was a much larger painting). On right, Guido (and Possum) in Just Like Me


 Some of the many faces of Guido starting with the "I know I am a little cat but I want to dominate you" look. He also had an incredible range of vocalizations from tiny little squeaky sounds to loud disapproving yowls. He was a brilliant communicator with both his voice and actions.


Guido's last day. I hope he's either in kitty heaven climbing trees and chasing birds and butterflies, or that he gets to come back as the human he always wanted to be in a really good life.

5 comments:

Claire said...

Sorry for your loss. It's always hard to lose a much loved friend.

Unknown said...

Hi Mira
So sorry to hear of your beloved Guido.
Thank you for visiting my blog. Hopefully it's a welcome distraction. :)
Lots of love to you
Mel
x

caryn strauss-smith art and design said...

I am sad for you. I know what this is like (having had many cats over my lifetime)and my heart goes out to you. The memories will never leave you, though. Cats are the dearest creatures and companions on earth. He looks adorable and his personality comes through in his picture. The love goes on.

kelly@thebluemuse said...

So sorry to hear this. I have six cats, and they are all precious to us. Clearly he was loved...

Mira Reisberg AKA The Picture Book Whisperer said...

Thank you all so much for your kind words and yes Mel I have been distracting myself. It's been rough but I know that this too is part of life and I just have to accept it. When I'm in better shape I'll make a small altar and a letting go painting of Guido.