Friday, July 9, 2010

Jasmine


Many of you know that one of the Fenner Furgang has been lost to us. My beautiful Lilac Point Siamese was apparently hit by a car and placed across the street from our house after we had put up Lost Kitty posters. I know this because we put the posters up and the next morning there she was--- and had clearly been gone for awhile already. On some level I am grateful to at least know.
Enough of that because I come to memorialize her, not dwell on ugly memories of her. She was Jasmine. My Jazzy. Jazzy Spazzy Jaz was a unique feline. Beautiful gray and beige fur-- soft soft soft. She had the most striking blue eyes. This picture doesn't do her justice, but it is the last one I have of her just the other day.
The first time I saw Jaz was at the shelter. This was also when I met Kathy Schroeder which is in itself a memorable event since we went on to become good friends (okay, Pastor Chris is giving us a tithe discount just to keep an eye on her). She had spoken to my mom who said I was on the lookout for a kitten and so gave me first shot at a new litter brought in to the shelter. I decided to pick the most beautiful kitten of all and that was my Jazzy. She had a very loud meow. VERY LOUD and she made her presence known at every opportunity. She was the Alpha Animal in our home though she was the smallest of the grown up cats. I don't know if she every even saw the baby kittens. She was the boss. She even bossed the dog-- though the dog outweighed her by probably 60 lbs.
She and the dog had a very special friendship. They would always greet each other with a headbonk or a nose to nose sniff. Once, when the dog ran away, I found him trotting down the road with Jaz along side him. I think she was leading him home and nagging at him the whole way. When she was a young kitty she ate part of a rubber ball. It cost me well over $1,000 to have it surgically removed. The doc showed it to me. I always wondered why she ate it! Before her stitches were even out I caught her eating an enourmous rubber band. Weird kitty.
Jaz was an indoor/outdoor kitty. But mostly outdoors. She liked to climb trees and trot along the fence tops. She often was found up on the roof of our old house or in the rafters. One time I didn't see her around and for a couple hours and happened to look for something in the truck of my car-- there she was! She was quick to sneak into non-cat areas of the house and so we had hoped that she had gotten trapped somewhere she didn't belong, until yesterday morning when it was clear that she had certainly been where she didn't belong and had paid the price for it.
I am going to miss her. I will miss the bright curious look in her pretty blue eyes. I will miss headbonks and giving her scritches and rubbing her ears. I will even miss all the times she woke me up in the middle of the night to groom me with her sandpaper tongue. I guess she didn't think I had done a good job washing my own face.

She even shared her tomatoe soup with me sometimes!!

Goodbye Sweet Jasmine.

20 comments:

JC said...

You did a wonderful job of telling her story ...

I love you !!!

Amy & the house of cats said...

We also came from Lilacs and Cats - we are sending you lots of comforting purrs and prayers. We are so so sorry for the loss of Jasmine. She sounds like a wonderful kitty.

Jans Funny Farm said...

We too came from Lilacs and Cats to send you warm purrs and tail wags on the loss of your lovely Jasmine. It is not easy to lose a furry.

Brian's Home Blog said...

Lilacs and Cats told us too. My sisters and I are so very, very sorry to hear about your sweet Jasmine. Although we did not know her, after reading your tribute we feel as though we did. We send you our purrs and prayers.

ltlrags said...

You know me pretty well: I'm not a sentimental person, but I cry at movies. Well, your rememberances of Jazzy had me teary eyed and left me wishing I could see her interact with you and the other important people and animals in her life. Jazzy, I'm sorry I didn't know you better, but thank you for providing love and laughter to my dear friend.

Remington said...

Lilacs and Cats sent me to your blog....I am so sorry to hear about Jasmine....

Jacqueline said...

A sweet tribute post...We came by from Lilacs and Cats to offer our condolances over your terrible loss of gorgeous Jasmine...She didn't look old, but we hope she lived a long life...Wishing you peace and comfort during this sad time...Love never dies...xoxo...Calle, Halle, Sukki

Felted House said...

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss of Jasmine - she looks absolutely beautiful with such thick fur and lovely soft colouring, and sounds like a wonderful companion. It's been lovely hearing all about her in your tribute. I lost Newton, my companion of eight years, just after Christmas to heart failure - much too soon, and send lots of sympathy and love to you at this sad time xx

clairz said...

Hi, I'm here from Lilacs & Cats. I think you've done a wonderful job of memorializing your Jasmine--so many of her traits are those I recognize in my batch of Siamese rescues.

Take care and be well. Post some more pix, we'd love to see them.

Webster said...

I came from L&C also, and am so sorry for your loss. My cats are also indoor/outdoor, and so far as I have noticed have a healthy fear of cars. Still, every once in awhile I see one of them across the street. That scares me. When I catch him, I yell at him, not that it does any good!

This was a nice memorial for your Jasmine. It makes me want a Siamese. My Himalayan mix has a silent meow. I like a cat who makes her feelings known.

janis said...

LeAnn~ I am so sorry for your loss! I understand completely. I am so glad that someone brought her little body home to you. It was right to be able to give you closure & have her home.
I have always been a shelter/ homeless finds kind of Momma. My first Kitty was rescued from being drowned in a nearby creek. Then I bought a Humanne Society Cat. Then one by one, word got around and my felines found us. Once, someone "put" a straving cat in our garage, knowing I would find her, nurse her back to health, and either find a home or keep her (we kept her). Currently I have 3 cats, 3 dogs, 2 college students (1 of the cats is actually a daughters but living with us while she finishes school) and a husband. Often, the hubby gets pushed out of bed by my furry babies. He just laughs (well grunts a bit) and retreats to the couch.
The love of a pet is so amazing. God truly Blessed us with their ability to make us feel loved and to care for us so. I wouldnt trade a one. I too have spent thousands of dollars to cure, fix and even put out of misery when necessary, many many pets. I cant imagine my life without them or the joy they bring us. My husband never experienced a pet love until he married me (pkg deal me & 2 cats). Today, he is a big time lover.
I came via JC. My Rocky, Mescha, Isabelle, and eventhe dogs Riley, Bandit, & Dakota, send condolences and thnak you for giving Jasmine such a wonderful life.

Karen said...

She was very beautiful!! I love siamese kitties....actually I love any kind of kitty! Beautiful tribute....

Dianne said...

I came by from JC's place to give you a hug
I know how much it hurts to lose a furry member of the family

Cheyenne -Millie said...

We came from Lilacs and Cats too. We are sorry for the loss of your dear friend.

cats of wildcat woods said...

We came from JC's when we heard about Jasmine. Lovely tribute to her. Sending purrs and healing light to you and your family in your loss.

Herrad said...

Hi LeAnn,
I have come here via JC.
Sorry to read how you lost your beautiful friend Jasmine.
Love
Herrad

The Taylor CatSSSSS said...

We read about your loss on JC's blog. We are so sorry for the loss of your beloved family member.

The Taylor CatSSSSS said...

We read about your loss on JC's blog. We are so sorry for the loss of your beloved family member.

Noll said...

Hi...we too came from JC's blog and wish to send you our purrs and deepest sympathies on your loss. There is nothing like a Meezer.

Angel Junior, Orion and Sammy said...

We are so very sorry for the loss of Jasmine. We long for the days with no cars so kitties would be a bir safer.