Saturday, October 22nd, 2022 06:46 pm
Dara the cat was put to sleep this morning, UK time. (Saturday PM in Australia.)

Dara


She was 19 years old, ancient and beloved, a grand old dame of cats in stately black and white. Petted and fussed over, with nothing too good for her as she grew old and arthritic and crotchety.

This was a cat with absolute chill. She took foreign beasts and vet visits with cool lassaiz-faire, and would sit on the back ledge of the stepdad's car as he drove her to the vet, surveying the traffic with interest.

We once piled cookbooks on her, and she just lay there - the ultimate 'dolly-cat' - and stared at us when they came off as though to ask "what was all that about"? She was known to have a certain feline cunning when food or favoured seating places were an option: once, she chased her companion, Kira, off the most comfy seat in the house by licking her until Kira couldn't take it anymore and moved. Then Dara came and seated herself on the already-warmed space.

She had a distinctive yowl - not plaintive, but a demand. "Where's my food?" Or "where's my pats?" "What are you doing?" She enjoyed scritches around the ruff of her neck, and would sometimes lick your fingers, but hated what my sisters and I call the "kiss onna head".

The stepdad doted on her in myriad ways, although she was technically my stepbrother's cat. But when A moved out, Dara stayed, and the stepdad took her on and became her favourite person. He'll probably miss her most, although we'll all find ourselves pausing a moment to look for the familiar black-and-white lump parked in the middle of the floor, as though she has every right to be there.

RIP Dara. You were unflappable and we loved you.
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Saturday, October 22nd, 2022 06:10 pm (UTC)
I'm sorry for your loss :(

Losing cats is hard, no matter how old they are :(
Saturday, October 22nd, 2022 07:31 pm (UTC)
She sounds like quite the cat and had a good life.

*Hugs*
Saturday, October 22nd, 2022 07:46 pm (UTC)
A long run.
Saturday, October 22nd, 2022 08:29 pm (UTC)
Sympathies.
Sunday, October 23rd, 2022 02:02 am (UTC)
Much sympathy. :(
Sunday, October 23rd, 2022 02:29 am (UTC)
What a wonderful cat. I'm sorry for your loss.
Sunday, October 23rd, 2022 09:57 am (UTC)
She sounds like an awesome cat who led a wonderful life. I'm sorry for your loss. :(
Sunday, October 23rd, 2022 06:28 pm (UTC)

Aww, what a great cat, I'm sorry you've lost her.

Sunday, October 23rd, 2022 07:01 pm (UTC)
I'm so sorry. :( Many hugs to you.
Sunday, October 23rd, 2022 09:02 pm (UTC)
I am so, so sorry. I felt tears spring to my eyes just reading about this. It's always so hard, so so hard to say goodbye to our furry family members. Big hugs to you. <3
Sunday, October 23rd, 2022 11:05 pm (UTC)
I send you all much love for losing Dara. She sounds like she was really wonderful.
Monday, October 24th, 2022 03:39 pm (UTC)
I'm so sorry. It sounds as though this was a cat who lived a long and happy life, and that matters.
Monday, October 24th, 2022 08:14 pm (UTC)
This is beautiful. I feel like I can see her. I'm so sorry she's gone but obviously she will live in your heart.
Thursday, October 27th, 2022 07:31 am (UTC)
Sorry for your loss hon.

"HUGS"
OSZAR »