Waiting for baby birds? – © Colehauscats.com
Every time Mom gets this pillow out, Dad mentions how much he loves the bird nest on it. Now, I might be an indoor girl, but I’m bright enough to know what comes out of bird nests – baby birds!
Don’t mind me today. I’ll just sit here and wait for those baby birds to come a’tweeting.
Anytime, now…
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
We’ve been asked how everyone is handling the loss of mama Zuzu, who was needed at the Bridge one month ago today. We told everyone right after we arrived home, that very day, and shared her final moments again over the course of several days to make sure all the cats understood (to the best we think they would understand anything we say).
Quint was the perfect comfort cat, doling out kisses and hugs, and has taken to sleeping under the covers in our bed in the early morning hours just as Zuzu used to, something he has never done before.
Bed cat Quint – © Colehauscats.com
Tessa started acting out, perhaps sensing our anxiety, and began picking on Viola who is most definitely not one to back down. Tessa spent a full week, plus one weekend on time-out in the master bedroom where, initially, she seemed to look for Zuzu before settling into her usual nap, nap, and more nap routine.
Master Napper Tessa – © Colehauscats.com
Viola, who was bonded with her mama only until she turned seven or eight months old (so independent!), seemed to not want to hear of Zuzu’s passing at first. Four days later, she was extra, extra needy and wandered the house for a day wanting to look into closed closets and rooms, searching perhaps. We spent lots of time with her, told her again what had happened, and she gave us both kisses. She’s usually not a big Dad kisser. She, too, now likes to spend time under the covers in bed in the chilly, early morning hours and like her mama, really enjoys that quiet time before the day officially begins.
Morning bed cat Viola – © Colehauscats.com
Sunny called and seemingly searched for Zuzu for two days before amping up her Zuzu-appointed Patrol Sergeant duties. No one gets smacked or whacked for anything but overly-hyped kitties often get the Sunny death stare and that pretty much cranks that behavior down a notch or two. Ex-Patrol Sergeant Zuzu would be so proud!
Patrol Sergeant Sunny is not amused – © Colehauscats.com
Self appointed patrol deputies Pia and Olivia miss guarding the top of the stairs from allowing Zuzu to pass without demanding documentation. Now, they demand it of each other and hold little conversations that we imagine go something like this:
Pia and Olivia get in your face – © Colehauscats.com
“Oh yeah? So, where’s your passport?”
“Oh, don’t you sound all high and mighty! Where’s yours?”
“I asked you first!”
“And I demanded yours second. Therefore, you have to answer first.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Oh. Yeah.”
“Oh really?”
“Really.”
And then Mom says knock it off and they mumble a bit under their breaths before going off to have the same conversation elsewhere.
Miss Newton and Ruby, who probably spent the most amount of time with Zuzu in the master bedroom, have both taken her passing in stride. Ruby seems a bit more adventurous on those rare occasions when she thinks she wants to wander out of the bedroom to look at other things, but then again, Ruby has always done that during the autumn months. Miss Newton still likes napping during the day and starts howling for Dad-time mid-afternoon. No change there.
Mom no longer “sees” Zuzu around the edges of shadows like she did for the first week but we know Zuzu is watching over us.
Thank you again for all your gentle words and gestures of kindness and comfort during this past month. We are so much stronger because of you.
Angel Zuzu in the shadows – © Colehauscats.com
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A Colehaus Cats flashback:
2016 – No post
2015 – No post
2014 – No post
2013 – Miss Newton’s Basket 2
2012 – No post
She was such a beautiful kitteh. We still miss her orange gloriousness. Pawhugs.
It sounds like everyone is transitioning to their new roles in the way that suits them best. Which is all any of us can do. We know it doesn’t ease the pain of the loss. Yet the best tribute we can pay to those we miss dearly is to carry forth in our day to day, perhaps taking over one of their habits or sharing a piece of us with others that keep the vibrancy of their spirit ever present. Good work, everyone! Purrs, Z-Girl and the Squeedunk gang
We send continued hugs and good thoughts.
Just like people, each kitty grieves in their own way. We have had a similar experience here with the loss of Phoebe. Joanie sleeps with me every night now when before she just came in the bed at 5 am. We have a lot of tiffs too with Sammy, Emmy and Brody.
It’s always difficult at first when a furbaby leaves. But then a new normal sets in. We’re glad everybuddy is doing okay. Purrs….
I have been concerned too about how everyone coped after losing one of their own. It is so good to learn that they are each in their individual way learning that Zuzu isn’t present in the home. I know they do grieve and they do look for their missing sibling. It is good that they have one another to make the transition a bit less stressful.
It is very hard to find a new normal after losing a loved one whether it is human or Furry. We think the is so sweet that both Quint and Viola to offer comfort by sleeping under the covers. We continue to send purrs and prayers as you continue to grieve. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo and Cooper Murphy
Glad to hear you have returned to a sense of normalcy after the tragic loss of Zuzu. Huge hugs from all of us.
Angel Normie, Angel Mika, Sasha & Grady Lewis
Thank you for giving us the low-down on how things are with the cat clowder since Angel Zuzu flew away. Everyone has adjusted their territory a little bit. Sending some extra hugs and purrs, while your sorrow for her still hangs around.
I’m glad everyone is doing well and adjusting. Purrs to you.
What a lovely photo of Zuzu at the end. We are glad all are coping and find a new normal
Hugs madi and mom
awwwwwwww…….we noe itz hard guyz…..on each oh ewe… in hiz ore her own way….sum timez eye still look for sauce N eye haz adopted sum oh hiz mannerizms…..dai$y seemz ta bee adjustin without buddy boom; her waz never one ta state her troo feelingz… tho her haz de sided now…. her fav o rite bed….iz boomer old hammick ♥♥♥
It’s always difficult when a furry member of family leaves. We’re glad to see that everyone is adjusting well. Purrs
Thanks so much for the update. Purrs.
Zuzu, forever loved. Cats do feel grief like humans, and adjustment can take time.
I’m glad the kitties seem to be adjusting even better than the mom and dad. I’m also glad to see a new Patrol Sargeant named. {{hugs}}
We are glad you’re all adjusting in your own ways to Zuzu’s passing. Love and hugs to you all.
It seems like the kitties are adjusting well to the loss, but we don’t know for sure what’s inside them. Hugs.
Emma and Buster
Estive um pouco afastada do blog, lamento muito a perda de Zuzu.
Um abraço carinhoso para vocês.
Adri
The time after a loss is a very hard one for everybody.
Cats do not live in the past. But they know when somebody is missing.
The good thing is that they adjust quicker then us, human. They are wise beings.
Douce soirée
Natacha
It’s always a period of adjustment for everyone, but it sounds like all the kitties are settling into new routines. Routines are good, for kitties and humans, both, and they help heal us all. Sending continued purrs to all of you.
We cats adjust our habits a lot when one leaves for the Bridge. Partly a sense on new relationships, but partkly also a sense of responsibilities learned from the departed.
TBT says that when Skeeter left, LC suddenly started spending time on his lap (which I remember her not doing often before), and on the bed. I know that when SHE left, I did the same. And I started hunting mice more. And started spending more time on the bed with TBT. ~ AYLA
I am glad they are adjusting to not having Zuzu there. Flynn never really accepted Eric’s passing but that is most likely because they were so bonded.
Thanks for letting us know how things are going. When I lost Shakespeare, I tried explaining to Hemingway. Of course it was a little different since the very next day I got Steinbeck. Hemingway continued to look for his bigger buddy instead of that little twerp. We had several talks and now he loves Steinbeck as much as he did Shakespeare….maybe more! Those fur people have lots of feelings and they sense so much. Maybe Zuzu and Shakespeare have caught up with each other and are comparing notes now. Oh, and I used to see Shakespeare “in the shadows”. Now I see so much of him in Steinbeck.
Maybe Mac is your new Zuzu!!
Hugs from Pam
Purrs from Hemingway and Steinbeck