It’s been quiet here this week, and understandably so with the loss of Olivia one week ago. We’re watching the permanent residents – Tessa, Pia, Quint, and Viola while trying not to be obvious about it. Mom talked at length with one of our favorite vets about what to look for, what methods of distraction can be used – snuggling, playtime, etc. should anyone begin searching, calling, and obsessing over the loss. This is the behavior long time Angel Cameron displayed after we lost Zooot in 2012. After a few weeks of nearly nonstop pacing, searching, calling, and crying for the love of his life, we lost him to a broken heart. We absolutely are not going to allow anyone to go through that.
So, Viola hung around Mom a little more than usual the first couple of days, as did Quint, then as our work schedules shifted, they spent days with Dad.
Pia chose to spend her time curled up in a cubby compartment in the tower. We plugged in the heated mat and she’s happy. No complaints from her, though the first day of Olivia’s absence, Pia pooped on the floor well away from any litter box (photo available upon demand). We’re not taking that personal. That was probably just a boo-boo.
The only one who seemed to look around for Olivia was Tessa, oddly enough since they didn’t get along terribly well and stayed out of each other’s sight most of the time. It’s hard to put a finger on exactly what behavior Tessa was showing, it was more of a feel than anything else. Tessa seemed more alert, didn’t nap as much as she used to, and showed interest in things and places she couldn’t have cared less about two weeks ago.
That said, she did knock over a small lamp on the boo-fay yesterday. So, we’re looking at it as she’s her typical Tessa self again. As for us, we think we’re healing and we can’t begin to thank you enough for all your kindness and comforting words.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A Colehaus Cats flashback:
2022 – No post
2021 – Almost Wordless Wednesday
2020 – No post
2019 – No post
2018 – No post
2017 – No post
2016 – No post
2015 – Ruby Tuesday
2014 – Calendar Boy Maxx and his Give-Away
2013 – No post
2012 – No post
We know how horribly loud that quiet can be. Hugs from all of us.
Finding the new normal is hard.
Hugs and purrs.
guyz…eye get it….when de big katoona died, even tho tuna dinna reel
lee like me, and eye gave him a time of it, when he left ta starthiz tenth
life…eye waz sad…it takes sum time ….eye noe
💙💚🐟 mackerull boomer junior butter feeld
ther still bee “ data izzuez “ heer in Tt but we hope ta bee abe bull ta
vizit mor ~~~~
Dearest Colehausecats,
Here it is the very same since Dido’s passing.
Spooky misses his only brother and is very close to both of us…
Spunky misses her brother and also remains close to us.
Tiggy–Tiger also misses her brother and talks a lot.
Speckie misses her brother–by–adoption and is clingy.
It will take time—also for us!
Hugs,
Mariette
My mom once had a dog and cat that didn’t get along very well. But after the dog died, the cat howled, looking for him. (She lived to a ripe old 19 years.) We send quiet purrs and love to you.
guyz….eye total lee get it….when de big katoona left ta start hiz tenth life,
eye waz sad, even tho tuna dinna reel like me, and eye gave him de biznezz,
eye still mizz him….it will bee oh kay tho💙💙💚💚🐟
mackerull boomer junior butter feeld
( we hope ta vizit mor in de few chure, we still haz data izzuez heer,
sew pia, let uz noe if yur foto bee comez a vail abull 😉
It is hard to find a new normal and I hope everyone copes well with adjusting. Hugs sent to you.
Just like people. kitties grieve in their own way. XO
Good for you for paying such close attention. A broken heart can be a real thing.
We love you all, and are glad Mom and Dad Cole are watching Tessa, Pia, Quint, and Viola closely, to help them as they try to navigate Olivia’s passing. XO
When our first kitty lost his bestie who was much younger than him…he did that pacing howling and searching all over, it was horrible. We brought him a new kitten and a little later another newbie…and after only a day or two of hissing he became the grandpa/mentor to them…and he even out lived one of them. (Yet again!) But he never displayed the same kind of agony as with his first loss. Nothing worse than having to listen to a meezer in distress…
Glad you’re making sure that your kitties are able to deal with their loss. Maybe Tessa was worried her ‘adversary’ was going to come back and taunt her?
When we lost Minko, Pipo came out of his shell a whole lot. We think Minko was intimidating him, even though they were quite friendly with each other and snuggled together all the time.